The Sexual Behaviour of the Institutionalised Severely Retarded

Summary

A survey of observed sexual behaviour in an integrated unit observed sexual behaviour of thirty severely retarded people aged 10 years to 33 years showed that most behaviour could be described as “appropriate”. Homosexual activity was not greater than in the normal population. Sexual behaviour directed towards staff was rare. Masturbation was the commonest sexual behaviour observed but sex play (between both pre-pubertal and post-pubertal residents) was common and mutually enjoyable. Sexual activity was very often the only spontaneous cooperative mutual behaviour observed and the only inter-resident interaction apart from aggression.