At home with Down syndrome and gender.
I argue that there is an important analogy between sex selection and selective abortion of fetuses diagnosed with Down syndrome. There are surprising parallels between the social construction of Down syndrome as a disability and the deeply entrenched institutionalization of sexual difference in many societies. Prevailing concepts of gender and mental retardation exert a powerful influence in constructing the sexual identities and life plans of people with Down syndrome, and also affect their families' lives.
Wong
Sophia Isako
SI
D000025:Abortion, Eugenic / Q000941:ethics; D004314:Down Syndrome; D005190:Family; D005260:Female; D019513:Feminism; D005783:Gender Identity; D006716:Homosexuality; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D016487:Parenting; D011296:Prenatal Diagnosis; D011788:Quality of Life; D012743:Sex Preselection / Q000941:ethics; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D026712:Value of Life