People with learning disability and adulthood
Anna M. Kittelsaa, Norwegian University of Science and Technology
Abstract
One aspect of the label learning disability is expectations of eternal childhood. This means that young people who are labelled learning disabled may be perceived as unable to achieve adult status or to be acknowledged as adults. In this study, focus is on young individuals in their twenties with learning disabilities and their own experiences of adulthood and identity as young adult. Their narratives about what it is to be an adult and if they regard themselves as such, is presented. The paper focuses on the relations between the young persons' perspectives, how different theories address adulthood and how the issue of adulthood tend to be discussed in our societies.