Love Grows with Sex: Teenage Africans Negotiating Sexuality Amidst Sexual Danger

• In Event: 534 - Section on Children and Youth Roundtables (one-hour)
  In Refereed Roundtable: Table 06. Sexual Behaviors, Risk, and Debut

Abstract

How do teenage Africans located in the KwaZulu-Natal province of South Africa, the epicenter of the HIV pandemic, give meaning to sexuality? This paper examines teenage Africans investments in sex and sexuality and the gendered dynamics through which sexuality is articulated. Whilst unequal gender relations of power continue to feature prominently within relationship dynamics fuelling the gendering of HIV attention to the micro-processes through which relationships are forged remain significant in illustrating the complex connections between love, sex and gender. Drawing on empirical findings with teenage Africans between the ages of 16 and 17, the chapter shows how relationships are conceptualised based on discourses of love. Love is inextricably bound up with sex and when teenagers talk about love and sex they also talk about, condom use, multiple sexual partners and gender inequalities. What teenagers were interested in and the focus on love within their sexual relationships was not raised in sex education programmes at school. Implications for addressing African teenage constructions of sexuality are discussed in the conclusion.

Author

• Deevia Bhana, University of KwaZulu-Natal