Aibu to be unsure about these photographs?

[CanisSapiens]

Whilst I applaud the girl and her mother for trying to change peoples perception of people with Down's Syndrome, and the girl looks lovely, something about the underwear shots in particular don't sit well with me. But I am quite prepared to be told that I am wrong.

www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3081890/If-people-beauty-inside-models-world-syndrome-Meet-inspiring-young-woman-genetic-condition-determined-change-face-beauty.html?ito=social-facebook

[MrsGentlyBenevolent]

I'm confused, she's 18, I presume she has the cognitive ability to consent. What's the issue?

[pieceofpurplesky]

It's a bikini isn't it? Not underwear? Would you be writing this if another girl without that extra chromosome was dressed like this? She looks healthy and beautiful - and is in Australia where beachwear is much more common than here ... So yes yabu

[ghostyslovesheep]

it's a bikini and she's an adult

[DoJo]

I can't see a problem with them - she wants to be a model and as such will need a variety of shots for her portfolio. Do you think no teens should have their photo taken in their bikini, or is it just because she's got Down's syndrome?

[Catsahoy]

A young lady in a swimsuit aspiring to be a model. It's perfectly normal. YABU.

[CanisSapiens]

You are probably right.

I was just thinking that she is probably vulnerable, and the pictures might attract the wrong kind of attention. And yes, I see now that it is a bikini.

[HookedOnHooking]

Why does it not sit well? Is she supposed to stay childlike and covered up because she has Downs?
Or can she celebrate being a beautiful adult and pursue a career in modelling like thousands of other young adults?

[HomeIsWhereTheHeartIs]

She has stated she wants to show that people with Downs can be sexy, just like anyone else.
You have stated that you applaud what she is doing. So why do those photos make you feel uncomfortable?

[CanisSapiens]

I think she looks great.

so do I.

Is she supposed to stay childlike and covered up because she has Downs?

Yes, I suppose that was what I was thinking, although I hadn't put it to myself like that. I suppose I need to rethink. I did say I was prepared to be told I was wrong.

[CanisSapiens]

I just think that there are strange people out there who would get a kick out of the pictures. a particular kind of predatory weirdo. And I think that is the basis of my discomfort.

[FarFromAnyRoad]

You are seriously overthinking this. There are predatory weirdos out there with strange predilections for just about anything from girls in bikinis to watching someone take a shit on a glass topped coffee table.
I don't mean this harshly - but get over yourself a bit :) - I'm sure you'll feel better.

[Momagain1]

Just like the rest of us, she can't limit her own reasonable behavior because of what a weirdo might do with it.

[Aeroflotgirl]

Yabvu, she is 18 and an adult, she has the support of her mother. The bikini looks lovely. Yes it's the chilldlike perception of people with Downs I think, tgat op and some have.

[UnsolvedMystery]

Your response is probably the reason why she wanted to do this.
She is trying to show that she is a woman and the fact that she has a genetic condition does not mean that you should look at her differently.

She looks fantastic and it is wonderful that she is challenging perceptions.

[BitchBags]

I think she is an amazing young woman and very inspiring. Good on her for pursuing her dreams

[yetanotherchangename]

I understand your discomfort. I think it's related to the "mental age" of the person with a learning disability which means that we tend to think of people, e.g. with Downs Syndrome, as children. HOWEVER as I understand it, this is an outdated way of looking at things. Legally, someone with learning disabilities is able to consent at age 16 in the same way that anyone else would. (NB I know her modelling isn't about sex but the article is clear that she is looking to portray herself as "sexy" so I think it's relevant).

Whatever the law, I would hope that she has been supported in making an informed decision about how she wants to portray herself and it sounds like she has.

Sexuality and learning difficulties is a really uncomfortable subject, but I find it helps to remember that every adult has differing levels of maturity and needs to learn to approach their sexuality and sexual behaviour in an appropriate way.

[millionsmom]

Well, it makes me uncomfortable too. I think it's because her 'mental' age most likely isn't the same as her real age iyswim.

[CupidStuntSurvivor]

She's breaking down barriers. Good on her I say.

And she looks bloody stunning.

[HookedOnHooking]

So what do you mean by 'mental age'?

(Am genuinely interested. I have a teenage daughter with AS who is completely with her peers in some ways but not with others).

[OttiliaVonBCup]

People with Dawn's grow up, have sex, it's life.

[thornrose]

My dd is 15, she has AS. She is of average intelligence although she has learning difficulties.

What do you mean my mental age?

[thornrose]

I meant by mental age.