Sexual Health

4. Socialisation and sexuality

4.2. Sexual Script Theory

Photo: G.H. Lunde

Sociologists William Simon and John H. Gagnon (1986) developed the sexual script theory in the 1970s  and ‘80s. Its basic premise was that all social behaviour, including sexual behaviour, is socially scripted. The interpretation of reality, including human behaviour, is derived from shared beliefs within a particular social group and explains how sexual behaviour is developed and interpreted (2, 3). 

The term, sexual script explains a person's attitudes and knowledge about and expectations of sexual situations they experience (1). Sexual scripts also explain the variations in expectations different people have abput how they should behave in ‘sexual situations’. The theory indicate expectations of how sexual behaviour should be expressed (2). Some central concepts in sexual script theory are (2, 3):

• Cultural scenarios: describes the general cast of characters (roles) and relationships among them. Yet, usually this is not enough to provide concrete direction to guide actual interpersonal behaviour in specific situations. This is where the interpersonal level of sexual scripts enters
• The interpersonal scripts: Some factors that appear in certain situations and become meaningful. This term is based on interactions in which people transform the narratives (stories) into meaningful actions. The individual's space and roles are shaped, but adapted to their environment's expectations
• The intrapsychic script: may entail specific plans or strategies for carrying out interpersonal script. It includes fantasies, memories and mental rehearsals, and represent the particulars of each individual’s unique sexuality, including those aspects that cannot be formed into words.  

The intrapsychic script is a major challenge for some PWID because it requires empathic skills and an understanding of the partner's role in a relationship. However, PWID have the same longings and wishes for love relationships as people without ID. It is a fundamental human right to express your feelings that people with ID also have. 

It might be questioned if other people are able to make decision on behalf of another adult person’s love and sexuality: Are parents able to make such decisions? What about employers; should they say anything about it? The answers to this is that other people may provide support and supervision. A person feels devaluated when other people try to prevent them from developing their own script/own story, gaining experience based on their own needs (4). People are ready to sacrifice things in their lives, to be able to follow wishes and need of love. To have a boyfriend/lover can be very important for a PWID.