"We have our own special language." Language, sexuality and HIV/AIDS: a case study of youth in an urban township in South Africa.
BACKGROUND
Despite the fact that most South African youth know about HIV/AIDS and how it can be prevented, there is a high prevalence of HIV/AIDS amongst youth in South Africa. Generally youth do not practice safe sex, and youth sexuality is characterised by multiple sexual partners, not using condoms and transactional sex.


OBJECTIVE
To minimize the risk of HIV infection, it is necessary to understand youth sexuality. In this paper I explore youth sexuality with a specific focus on how language influences sexuality.


METHODS
I use discourse analysis and qualitative research techniques. Purposive sampling, a form of non-probability sampling was used. I interviewed seventy youth individually or in groups and used in-depth semi-structured interviews.


RESULTS
The use of language influences youth sexuality. Youth have developed a specialised language to talk about sex and sexuality and this language has become part of the daily discourse, so that unsafe sexual practices become norms and are justified.


CONCLUSIONS
The realm of language can be a creative way for peer and HIV/AIDS educators to work with youth towards creating a healthier sexuality. However, as language always occurs in a material context, it is also necessary to work towards changing the material environment, such as poverty. This environment not only facilitates the development of a particular language but it also encourages unsafe sexual practices such as transactional sex.
Faculty of Education, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. tselikow@ualberta.ca
Terry-Ann
TA
Selikow
D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000523:psychology / Q000635:transmission; D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000523:psychology* / Q000635:transmission; D006801:Humans; D007802:Language; D008297:Male; D036301:Qualitative Research; D021841:Safe Sex / Q000523:psychology; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000523:psychology*; D019529:Sexuality / Q000523:psychology; D013019:South Africa; D014505:Urban Population