Seksualność osób z niepełnosprawnościami: personalistyczny model odpowiedzialnego wsparcia

Dariusz Adamczyk

doi:10.21852/sem.1907

Published: 2026-11-09

Sexuality of Persons with Disabilities: A Personalist Model of Responsible Support

Dariusz Adamczyk

Seminare. Studies in Youth and Society

Section: Articles

https://doi.org/10.21852/sem.1907

Abstract

The article addresses the problem of how persons with disabilities can be responsibly supported in their psychosexual and relational development without reducing them either to their disabilities or to their sexual needs. The aim is to formulate a personalist model of responsible support grounded in the dignity of the person and informed by contemporary research on sexuality education, autonomy, consent, supported decision-making, intimate relationships and safeguarding. The article uses a conceptual and critical analysis of theological, philosophical, pedagogical and international disability-sexuality literature. The analysis shows that responsible support requires an integrated approach: recognition of personal dignity and sexuality; education appropriate to the person’s developmental and communicative abilities; respect for autonomy and participation in decisions; support for the formation of mature relationships; and protection against coercion, exploitation and sexual violence. The personalist perspective makes it possible to hold together two requirements that should not be separated: respect for the person’s agency and the duty to provide protection where vulnerability is present. The article concludes with pedagogical implications for parents, teachers, educators, pedagogues and therapists.

Keywords:

persons with disabilities, sexuality, personalism, responsible support, sexuality education, autonomy, consent, supported decision-making, intellectual disabilities

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Adamczyk, D. (2026). Sexuality of Persons with Disabilities: A Personalist Model of Responsible Support. Seminare. Studies in Youth and Society. https://doi.org/10.21852/sem.1907

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