Aadya Gupta, Week 2

Aadya Gupta, Week 2

Commentary on- How Young People with Disabilities Conceptualize The Body, Sex and Marriage in Urban India: Four Case Studies , by Renu Addlakha

We only associate the sensation of desire with particular bodies. Those bodies are lithe, and graceful, the kind we see on TV. One thing all these bodies definitively are? Is able. The bodies of disabled persons are desexualized in today’s society. Only recently has the attitude towards the disabled in India changed from that of a ‘charity-based discourse to a human rights perspective’, and its present state of far from ideal. I wanted to highlight something that jumped out at me about each character- The emphasis on economic self-reliance by both Mira and Payal. Amit’s aim to affirm his masculinity despite his handicap, and his reluctance to be himself with the ‘normal’ boys- because he thought disabled kids should behave a particular way. Lalit, afflicted with polio, tells us he takes such extreme measures to attend disability unfriendly places.

The author tells each person’s story in an unbiased manner, weaving all narrations together to paint a picture of how difficult it is for even highly successful disabled persons from poor areas to come to terms with their bodies. Toxic masculinity also takes a toll on both Amit and Lalit, they hold themselves to unreasonable standards, leading to a poor sense of self-worth. Mental health care for disabled persons is vital in determining whether or not they will be successful in life, and India is just advancing beyond the charity perspective, leave alone counselling for the disabled. This reading brings to light the dire state of disabled persons relationship with their bodies and having a sex positive perspective to the same.