Exploring parents involvement in addressing adolescents' sexual behaviour : a case study of Mankweng Township in Limpopo Province

Abstract

Contemporary moral panic about adolescents centres on their sexual behaviour, as being irresponsible, disrespectful to adults, easily addicted and indulging in unsafe sex. With this concern, parents are noted to play a vital role in supervising, monitoring, guiding, advising and addressing adolescents’ risky sexual behaviour. Adolescents are influenced by a variety of factors and institutions; hence the study explored one of the factors, ‘parents’ involvement’. The study sought to find out parents’ perceptions on involvement, what it means and how involvement can be effective. The aim of the study was to explore parents’ involvement in addressing adolescents’ sexual behaviour in Mankweng Township, Limpopo Province. The study comprised ten parents (five males and five females) who were purposely selected. Data was conducted over the course of three days, through semi-structured interviews. Thematic data analysis method was used to analyse data collected and to have final results. The findings revealed that parents are much aware of adolescents’ sexual behaviour, parents’ role and responsibility when it comes to protecting adolescents. However, a common trend was found from all parents, which was lack of understanding of parental involvement; where all participants only limited parental involvement to sexual communication and giving advice; with that they bear uncomforting belief that sexual communication will lead adolescents to sexual behaviour. Moreover, it was evident that parents have challenges to parental involvement such as peer pressure, media, fear and respect. Intervention such as parental programmes, health, religion and education; campaigns and community gatherings were noted as effective method that should the initiated to educate and improve parents’ involvement in addressing adolescents’ sexual behaviour. Keywords: Parent, adolescent, involvement, risky sexual behaviour.