Society’s attitude toward individuals with intellectual disabilities (ID) was marked by stigmatization, discrimination, and marginalization for centuries. The prevailing ideology emphasized a paternalistic approach, treating individuals with ID and other disabilities as passive recipients of assistance, without any autonomy or rights. Over the past thirty years, we have been bearing witness to changes that have contributed to improvements in various aspects of life for individuals with ID. The paradigm of inclusion and equality has come to the forefront, emphasizing the recognition of equal rights, autonomy, and dignity for individuals with ID. Today, at least on a declarative level, individuals with ID have the same rights as everyone else, including the right to partnerships, intimacy, and sexuality. Nevertheless, this area still faces significant reservations due to prejudices and constraints rooted in the not-so-distant past. In my thesis, I aim to provide a broader overview of society's attitude toward partnerships, intimate and sexual relationships of individuals with ID, as well as to highlight key changes, turning points, and areas for further research. In the theoretical part of the thesis, I outline the historical societal attitude toward individuals with ID. I highlight deinstitutionalization and normalization and I examine in more detail the areas of partnerships, sexuality, and the rights of individuals with ID in these aspects. In the empirical part, I explore the perspectives and experiences of professionals employed in a Slovenian social care institution regarding partnerships, intimate relationships, and sexuality of individuals with ID.
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