Tenth International Conference on Health, Wellness & Society

Abstract

The aim of this research was to explore how New Zealand parents with young people aged eleven to fourteen understand and experience their role in sexuality and relationship education. In 2017, the Minister of Education discussed sexuality and consent education, and stated it was first and foremost a parental, family and private responsibility. This statement was problematic as it failed to consider the feelings and emotions deeply embedded in adult engagement, and silence, around sexuality and relationships. Furthermore, it continues to perpetuate a public/private, home/school divide that fails to engage with the complexities of sexuality and relationships in the digital age. Adults are often haunted by their own sexuality education experiences, and continue to try and protect young people from the complexity, irrationality and joy of relationships. Rather than opening up discussion around the broader determinants of sexuality and relationships, this protection often shuts down the opportunity to engage with young people. The research drew on a feminist poststructural theoretical framework and utilized qualitative focus group interviews with fifty-six parents. Data were analysed through a Foucauldin inspired discourse analytic lens which highlighted key themes. This paper explores the theme of parental feelings of inadequacy in a neo liberal environment, and identifies strategies that address the “affective” element of sexuality education. Parental fears and anxieties about the provision of sexuality and relationships education must be addressed if we are to deliver quality sexual health promotion to young people that meets their needs in an ever changing world.