Sexuality education in South Africa: a sociocultural perspective

Abstract

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.