Parenting with disability: Experiences of disabled women.

Abstract

Women with disabilities face barriers to sexual and reproductive health and, subsequently, to parenting. Scant attention has been paid to the role of parenting with disability in the psychology or rehabilitation fields. Social biases exist that stereotype women with disabilities as vulnerable, asexual, infertile, and incapable as mothers (Nario-Redmond, 2010). It is unknown exactly how many women with disabilities are parents. Generally, people with disabilities are believed to represent approximately 15% of parents in the United States, or anywhere from 6.9 to 8.4 million people; this proportion is even higher in certain subgroups, including single parents, African Americans, and Latinos (Preston, 2010). Cultural stereotypes result in a reduced societal expectation for motherhood among disabled women (Kirshbaum & Olkin, 2002). However, evidence suggests that more women with disabilities are becoming parents than ever before (National Council on Disability, 2012;

Adaptive parenting strategies used by mothers with physical disabilities caring for infants and toddlers

“…This study also reinforces the need for the development and implementation of peer support services for mothers with physical disabilities (Andrews & Ayers, ; National Council on Disability, ; Shpigelman, ). Several of the participants described their informal networks for support and the importance of having a network of other parents with similar disabilities to obtain information, ideas, and resources whereas others indicated that they would have benefited from peer supports, particularly during early motherhood.…”

Breastfeeding Among Women With Physical Disabilities in the United States

“…In this study, the participants who had access to peer support reported the usefulness of being able to obtain information and advice from women with similar disabilities. Indeed, the need for peer support may be even greater for parents with disabilities because they often lack positive parenting role models with disabilities (Andrews & Ayers, 2016; National Council on Disability, 2012). Having connections with women with similar disabilities allows mothers to receive guidance and advice from people with shared experiences who can share their adaptive parenting strategies.…”

Barriers and Solutions to Passing State Legislation to Protect the Rights of Parents With Disabilities: Lessons From Interviews With Advocates, Attorneys, and Legislators

“…Pejorative attitudes relating to the capabilities of parents with disabilities were a notable barrier to the passage of legislation in several states. Parents with disabilities often contend with presumptions that they will mistreat their children, neglect them due to incompetence, or pose a risk to their development (Andrews & Ayers, 2016; Malacrida, 2009). One way to counter these negative attitudes may be with research that demonstrates that parents with disabilities are often capable of caring for their children.…”

“…Similarly, within family law, parents with disabilities are often denied child custody or visitation, especially if the other parent does not have a disability (Breeden et al, 2008; Economou, 2016; Lanci, 2018; Powell, 2019). Furthermore, adoption and foster care agencies often discriminate against prospective parents with disabilities (Andrews & Ayers, 2016; Mutcherson, 2009).…”