Family nursing and parents who have a learning disability

Abstract

Parents who have learning difficulties pose profound questions to the philosophy and practice of family nursing. Failure to recognise how care delivery needs to change in the context of parents with a learning disability can perpetuate discrimination and inequalities for adults and their children. In this paper we explore the neglected topic of adults who have learning disabilities and the problems they face when they become parents. We examine the issue of the rights of adults with learning disabilities and illustrate that when these rights are not upheld they increase the vulnerability of the adults and their children. The implications of these issues are highlighted in the context of children's nursing practice.