Disability, Family and Caregiving: A Qualitative Analysis in the Indian Context
Author : Biswajit Ghosh
Abstract :
The concept of disability has long been associated with social superstition and neglect since ancient times. However, in the contemporary context, disability is interpreted through multiple perspectives, among which educational, technological and rights-based approaches are significant. Sensory disabilities are a category that has received limited attention in the Indian context, particularly concerning the parenting experiences of parents with sensory disabilities. Even in sociological research, there is very little discussion or exploration of this topic. Therefore, the present article focuses on analyzing the various experiences of parenthood in such families. One of the objectives of this article is to highlight how care and affection are expressed by parents with disabilities toward their children, while another aim is to examine how they manage the processes of socialization in raising their children.
A total of eight families were selected, consisting of four families with visually impaired parents and four with hearing-impaired parents. The study was conducted using a qualitative case study method, incorporating in-depth interviews and descriptive analysis. The findings show that in such families, parenthood is shaped through a combination of family support networks and adaptive caregiving practices. Some families have faced various structural barriers such as communication problems, economic limitations and social stigma, while in some other families, the opposite has been observed, where parents, through their personal resilience, have succeeded in establishing their children. However, in every family, parents have adopted various innovative and creative methods in the upbringing and socialization of their children. This article indicates that childcare and upbringing are not merely biological processes; rather, they are processes formed within family relationships and social contexts. By presenting the experiences and realities of parents with disabilities in raising their children, this article contributes to the sociological understanding of disability, family life and care practices.
Keywords :
Sensory disabilities, parenthood, social model of disability, caregiving practices, family dynamics, India.
