Sexuality education in South Africa: a sociocultural perspective

Abstract

English: In a multicultural society such as South Africa, it is difficult to define what should be viewed as “sexual health” or “culture-appropriate” content to teach in schools. Drawing on findings from black Life Orientation teachers who teach sexuality education, this article will argue that teachers shy away from teaching crucial information regarding sexuality because their own sociocultural values and moral beliefs could contradict or differ from the programmes that they are expected to teach.

Afrikaans: In ’n multikulturele samelewing soos Suid Afrika is dit moeilik om te bepaal wat as “seksuele gesonde” of “kultuur-toepaslike” inhoud geag word om in skole te onderrig. Met verwysing na bevindinge uit ’n studie met swart Lewensoriënteringonderwysers wat seksuele onderrig aanbied, sal hierdie artikel aanvoer dat onderwysers wegskram daarvan om noodsaaklike inligting aangaande seksualiteit te onderrig aangesien dit mag bots met hul eie sosiokulturele waardes en oortuigings, of dit mag verskil van die programme wat van hulle verwag word om in skole aan te bied.