Marriage Obstacles for Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities from Their Perspectives

Abstract Marriage is contentious social issue for persons with intellectual impairments, that their families and the individuals with disabilities themselves are divided on it. Some people look at marriage from a positive perspective that it helps them integrate into society and live a normal and independent life. But others believe marriage in such cases has many problems and it is not easy to succeed. This study aims to identify the main challenges faced by individuals with intellectual disabilities regarding marriage from their own perspective. The researchers created a questionnaire with 30 questions, divided into four main aspects: the nature of the disability itself, and the psychological, social, and economic challenges. The questionnaire was distributed it to a sample of 294 people with intellectual disabilities to understand their opinions on the matter. The results showed that the participants perceived the challenges as significant, with the most affecting aspect being the economic side, followed by the social, then the psychological, and lastly the nature of the disability itself. There were also no clear differences between the responses of males and females or between the specialisations or academic levels. the study revealed that many people with intellectual disabilities suffer from society’s perception of them and the discrimination they face. The study provided solutions such as government and private sector assistance to enable their marriage, exemptions and facilities, and promoting public knowledge about their nature, talents, and achievements. Furthermore, their inherent right to marriage should be protected by enacting rules and regulations that take into account their interests and desires for a normal married life.