Sonto Maputle
University of Venda, South Africa
Title: Parents’ perceptions regarding sex education of their adolescent children: Perspectives from a community in Mopani district, South Africa
Biography
Biography: Sonto Maputle
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to explore perceptions of parents regarding sex education of their adolescent children. Th e population comprised of parents aged between 36-55 years to adolescents who were pregnant or delivered within a year during the time of the study. A non-probability snow balling sampling method was used to select five parents and was determined by data saturation. An unstructured interview directed by one question was conducted which was; ‘what are your perceptions regarding sex education of your adolescent children’? Data were analyzed using Tech’s eight-step process. Results revealed that although respondents had prior knowledge on the need and the how-to educate their adolescents on sex-related matters, some respondents chose to shun away from that responsibility, citing their cultural belief system as the main reason. Th e overarching reason for the respondents that chose to engage their adolescents on sex-related education was fear that they would contract HIV/ AIDS or become pregnant before they fi nish their education. It is recommended that parents from rural-based environments should be encouraged and empowered to establish diff erent local sex-education platforms. Th ese platforms should also aim at engaging local traditional leadership in partnership with other stakeholders to initiate and maintain collaborative conversations around sex-related matters geared at negotiating a progressive change around the local cultural belief systems alluded to by respondents in the study. From the data collected it is evident that there are parents who are willing to educate their adolescent child on issues of sex whilst some of the parents perceive educating adolescents on issues of sex as being improper.
