Gendered talk about sex, sexual relationships and HIV among young people in Papua New Guinea

Bibliographic Data

ID15098677
AuthorsAngela Kelly-Hanku (0000-0003-0152-2954, UNSW Sydney, corresponding author), Angela Kelly (0000-0002-5823-4833, Papua New Guinea Institute of Medical Research), Heather Worth (0000-0001-5228-9588, UNSW Sydney), Frances Akuani (Papua New Guinea Institute of Medical Research), Barbara Kepa (Papua New Guinea Institute of Medical Research), Martha Kupul (0000-0002-0937-1057, Papua New Guinea Institute of Medical Research), Lucy Walizopa (Papua New Guinea Institute of Medical Research), Rebecca Emori (0000-0002-6361-454X, Papua New Guinea Institute of Medical Research), Brenda Cangah (Papua New Guinea Institute of Medical Research), Agnes Mek (0000-0002-2201-1144, Papua New Guinea Institute of Medical Research), Somu Nosi (Papua New Guinea Institute of Medical Research), Lawrencia Pirpir (Papua New Guinea Institute of Medical Research), Kritoe Keleba (Papua New Guinea Institute of Medical Research), Peter Siba (Papua New Guinea Institute of Medical Research)
Year2010
Volume12
Issue3
Pages221-232
Publication date2010-04-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueCulture Health & Sexuality (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1369-1058 • E-ISSN: 1464-5351
PublisherInforma UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/13691050903181107
PMID19813120
OpenAlexW2060380766
LanguageEN
Citations received10
References cited19

This paper presents findings from a qualitative study carried out in three secondary schools in Eastern Highlands Province, Papua New Guinea (PNG). Seventy-three Year 12 students took part in eight gender-specific focus group discussions (three female and five male). Irrespective of gender, respondents predominately understood sex as being for the sole purpose of reproduction within marriage. When discussing sex and sexual relationships, young men used explicit language and referred specifically to sexual organs and activities. Young women did not. Less concerned for privacy, young men talked in public spaces and in groups with same-sex peers about sex and sexual expression, whereas young women discussed such matters one-on-one and in private. These gender differences provide useful entry points for developing appropriate sex and HIV education programmes involving young people in PNG

Developmental psychology · Ethnology · Focus group · Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV · Human sexuality · New guinea · Sex education · Sociology · Young adult · Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health · Demography · Gender Studies · Medicine · Poverty, Education, and Child Welfare · Psychology · Sex work and related issues