Importance of sex education for individuals with mental retardation

Despite increasing awareness for the education of mentally retarded people in the last few decades leading to significant outcomes, one of the key elements of their lives - sexual relationship - has been neglected. Different aspects of sexual behavior such as knowledge about sexual organs, preventing sexual abuse, and child bearing are essential. Since these individuals are more prone to become victim of sexual abuse, educating them seems to be vital. Some of the victims of sexual abuse experience psychological disorders; they may also face maltreatment from their families. Statements made by individuals with mental retardation are usually not accepted by others, they get threatened by their predators, or the predator is one of their close relatives. Studies show that these groups of individuals have a minimal knowledge of sex education due to lack of availability of such programs, and their own difficulties for learning the sexual knowledge. Moreover, teaching sexual education is part of therapeutic programs for mentally retarded people who have inappropriate sexual behaviors. There are different views regarding sex education for mentally retarded people. Many of teachers, parents, and even specialists believe that mentally retarded people are not interested to have any sexual relationships because they are afraid to procreate underprivileged individuals like themselves. On the other hand, some experts believe that sexual activities are part of mentally retarded people lives, and they should not be deprived of their right to express their sexual desires.