title: Sexuality and 'silence' among Khasi youth of Meghalaya, Northeast India.
abstract: The importance of sex education has been well documented in the literature, but there exists a lack of research involving indigenous youth in India. This paper describes perceptions, knowledge and attitudes towards sex education, sexuality, pre-marital sex, rape and homosexuality among indigenous students from the matrilineal Khasi tribe attending a university in Meghalaya in northeast India. Qualitative and quantitative data were collected during and after reproductive health, sexuality and life skills courses. Despite the impression of sexual permissiveness of indigenous peoples that exists in India, students reported a societal silence on issues related to sexuality. Lack of appropriate words in the indigenous language potentially contributes to this silence. Although co-habitation is common and culturally acceptable, students disapproved of pre-marital sex. The influence of Christianisation was also perceived in the frequent reference to sin and guilt associated with masturbation, homosexuality, pre-marital sex and abortion. Students reported that the sex education received in school was 'childish' and inadequate for their adult needs. Many had unrealistic images of what constituted 'normal' sex and also blamed women for rape. The majority of indigenous students expressed the need for non-judgmental fora for discussions on sexual health and for sexuality education.
authors.affiliation: a Department of Allied Health Sciences, Martin Luther Christian University , Meghalaya , India.
authors.forename: Ryntihlin Jennifer
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: War
authors.forename: Sandra
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Albert
mesh_terms: D000028:Abortion, Induced; D000328:Adult; D003075:Coitus; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice / Q000208:ethnology*; D006716:Homosexuality; D006801:Humans; D007194:India; D008297:Male; D008418:Masturbation; D044382:Population Groups; D011902:Rape; D012071:Religion and Sex; D012736:Sex Education; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D019529:Sexuality; D013334:Students; D055815:Young Adult