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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

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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

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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

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Adult status in Western societies: examples

• Production and reproduction

• Civil rights

• Internal qualities: independence, autonomy, competency

• External markers: work, marriage / co-habitation, parenting, voting

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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

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External markers of adulthood according to the participants

• Work

• Leaving home

• Take responsibility of one’s home and economy

• Marriage or co-habitation

• Voting

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Internal markers of adulthood according to the participants

• Developing self-sufficiency

• Competency

• Takes time to reach the goal

• Enjoying life

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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

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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

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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