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People with learning disabilities and adulthood. Disability Studies Association Conference Lancaster University September 18-20 2006 Anna M. Kittelsaa Norwegian University of Science and Technology. The study. Study of the daily lives of 8 young adults
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People with learning disabilities and adulthood Disability Studies Association Conference Lancaster University September 18-20 2006 Anna M. Kittelsaa Norwegian University of Science and Technology
The study • Study of the daily lives of 8 young adults • Research methods: participant observations, field conversations and interviews • Have known the participants for 18 – 20 months
The Norwegian Context • Members of welfare society – entitled to certain services and benefits • Sheltered living, segregated ”work” and often segregated leisure activities • Income: disability benefits
Adult status in Western societies: examples • Production and reproduction • Civil rights • Internal qualities: independence, autonomy, competency • External markers: work, marriage / co-habitation, parenting, voting
The content of my paper • Point of departure: the notion of eternal child or eternal youth • Some narratives told by the participants in my study organised around external and internal markers of adulthood • Challenging the taken-for-granted perspectives of adulthood by stating our common interdependence
External markers of adulthood according to the participants • Work • Leaving home • Take responsibility of one’s home and economy • Marriage or co-habitation • Voting
Internal markers of adulthood according to the participants • Developing self-sufficiency • Competency • Takes time to reach the goal • Enjoying life
To be an adult and to be seen as one • Important for the participants to communicate their adult status • They know the central markers of adulthood and present themselves accordingly
However: • As eternal children or youth – they are excluded from real participation in society • The segregated arrangements and services signal that the participants are not fully able to decide for themselves • Often met by paternalistic attitudes
Challenging myths The independent and autonomous individual is a myth because during a life course we are all dependent • The participants know that they need some assistance, but do not accept that as a prerequisite for being denied full adult status