From Housewives to Activists: Lived Experiences of Mothers for Disability Rights in Taiwan

Abstract

When a family has a disabled child, the mother usually takes on the caretaker role and also carries the social stigma associated with disability. Based on participant observation and in-depth interviews with members of the Parents Association for Persons with Intellectual Disabilities (PAPID), this article explores the meanings of activism for parents who participate in the disability rights movement. First, it shows the impact of disability stigma on family members, especially the mothers of disabled persons. Second, the study shows that the participants of this movement, mainly the mothers of intellectually disabled children, not only promote the welfare of their children but they also learn to confront social stigma and renegotiate their gender roles. Parents' associations have become an important public space for these mothers to escape home confinement and enjoy civic life. In contrast, the fathers who were interviewed saw activism as an obligation and were less likely to show emotional attachment to the civic organizations.

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