Body image and self-esteem: What women with intellectual disabilities feel about their personal appearance

Traditionally within the ‘women’s movement’ or ‘disability rights movement’, little attention has been paid to the way in which women with intellectual disabilities think and feel about their bodies. In the past, it has been suggested that one of the ‘blessings’ of having an intellectual disability is that individuals are free from pressures to conform to stereotyped images. The present paper challenges this notion: research with 17 women with mild and moderate intellectual disabilities in England demonstrated that the women are subject to strong influences to achieve certain norms and forms of femininity. The women’s views about their bodies, clothesand weight are discussed. The implications of the research findings for providers of intellectual disability services are explored.