The social construction of

Esat, Fazila

Title: The social construction of "sexual knowledge": exploring the narratives of southern African youth of Indian descent in the context of HIV/AIDS
Creator: Esat, Fazila
Subject: East Indians -- South Africa -- Attitudes
Subject: Youth -- South Africa -- Attitudes
Subject: East Indians -- South Africa -- Sexual behavior
Subject: Youth -- South Africa -- Sexual behavior
Subject: AIDS (Disease) -- Social aspects -- South Africa
Subject: HIV infections -- Social aspects -- South Africa
Date Issued: 2003
Date: 2003
Type: Thesis
Type: Masters
Type: MA
Identifier: vital:2970
Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002479
Identifier: East Indians -- South Africa -- Attitudes
Identifier: Youth -- South Africa -- Attitudes
Identifier: East Indians -- South Africa -- Sexual behavior
Identifier: Youth -- South Africa -- Sexual behavior
Identifier: AIDS (Disease) -- Social aspects -- South Africa
Identifier: HIV infections -- Social aspects -- South Africa
Description: This study pays attention to youth of Indian-descent within the context of sexuality and identity and their role in HIV/AIDS. By gaining an understanding of this interaction between identity and sexuality, it adds to our knowledge of the social dynamics that contribute to the prevalence or lack of prevalence of HIV/AIDS within population groups. This study uses a social constructionist discourse analytic framework and aims to explore the construction of sexual knowledge by Southern African youth of Indian-descent. The findings indicate that the construction of sex is primarily one of risk and ambiguity. Additionally, the construction of sexual knowledge highlights the significance of gender differentials and the importance of agency and responsibility for sexual education. These constructions reinforce traditional educational roles that contribute to the construction of sex as risky and ambiguous. In addition, a social identity of Indian-ness and othering is used as a strategy to give meaning to the lack of parental responsibility with regard to sexual education. The use of social identity is seen as highlighting the importance of acknowledging the sexual values within which youth are embedded. This study concludes with possible ways to shift these constructions. For example, one of the conclusions suggests the implementation of an alternative school-based sexual education that acknowledges the sexual values in which youth are embedded. Furthermore, this acknowledgement of sexual values should take place within a holistic sex education programme that is positive about sexuality. Additionally, a reframing of youth as capable and active decision-makers in their sexual education is necessitated in order to see youth as a potential resource in HIV/AIDS prevention.
Format: 245 leaves
Format: pdf
Publisher: Rhodes University
Publisher: Faculty of Humanities, Psychology
Language: English
Rights: Esat, Fazila

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The social construction of "sexual knowledge": exploring the narratives of southern African youth of Indian descent in the context of HIV/AIDS