Get to know the real me: intersections of the disabled identity and romantic intimacies in Singapore

• Main Authors: Lim, Arika, Cheah, Mmin Le, Wong, Daryl Shao Qi
• Other Authors: Ma Xiangyu
• Format: Final Year Project
• Language: English
• Published: Nanyang Technological University 2024
• Subjects: Social Sciences; Disability; Physical disabilities; Dating; Romance; Intimacy; Social identity
• Online Access: https://hdl.handle.net/10356/175729
• Institution: Nanyang Technological University

This study seeks to explore the unique set of challenges that Persons with Physical Disabilities (PWPDs) face and the manner in which they present and navigate their social identities within the context of dating and romantic intimacies. As prior literature has investigated mainly the perspectives of Persons without Disabilities (PWoDs) regarding the topic, our paper seeks to provide insight into the first-person perspectives of PWPDs within the Singaporean context through semi-structured interviews exploring their romantic experiences and interactions. Overall, the findings reveal that the way in which PWPDs perceive their disabled identity shapes their approach toward seeking and engaging in romantic intimacies. PWPDs’ severity of disability also affects their participation in the dating scene and partners they seek.