This Article Full Text (PDF) References Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Add to Saved Citations Download to citation manager Request Permissions Request Reprints Add to My Marked Citations Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Citing Articles via Scopus Google Scholar Articles by Willig, C. Search for Related Content PubMed Articles by Willig, C. Social Bookmarking                         What's this?

Constructions of Sexual Activity and Their Implications for Sexual Practice

Lessons for Sex Education

Middlesex University, UK

Most sex education uses language in order to communicate its message. Discourse analytic theory suggests that far from merely transmitting factual information, language always constructs particular versions of reality. This article is concerned with discursive constructions of sexual activity and their implications for sexual practice. Data presented in this article are based on a series of semi- structured interviews with 16 heterosexual adults. The interview agenda included questions about sexual risk- taking within the context of HIV/ AIDS. Parker's version of the discourse analytic method (Discourse Dynamics: Critical Analysis for Social and Individual Psychology. Routledge, 1992) guided the analysis of interview transcripts. This article identifies a range of constructions of 'sexual activity' invoked by respondents. It is suggested that AIDS education, in order to be effective, must address the wider discourses surrounding sexuality and sexual relationships. The article concludes by outlining ways in which sex education materials may challenge constructions that facilitate sexual vulnerability, both physical (e.g. to HIV infection) and emotional (e.g. through unwanted intercourse).

Key Words: discourse analysis • HIV/AIDS, sex education

Journal of Health Psychology, Vol. 3, No. 3, 383-392 (1998)
DOI: 10.1177/135910539800300307


CiteULike    Complore    Connotea    Del.icio.us    Digg    Reddit    Technorati    Twitter    What's this?

This article has been cited by other articles:

				D. F. Marks The Quest for Meaningful Theory in Health Psychology J Health Psychol, November 1, 2008; 13(8): 977 - 981. [Abstract] [PDF]

				A. Sandfield Talking Divorce: The Role of Divorce in Women's Constructions of Relationship Status Feminism Psychology, May 1, 2006; 16(2): 155 - 173. [Abstract] [PDF]

				O. Parry, E. Peel, M. Douglas, and J. Lawton Issues of cause and control in patient accounts of Type 2 diabetes Health Educ. Res., February 1, 2006; 21(1): 97 - 107. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				S. JACKSON 'I'm 15 and Desperate for Sex': 'Doing' and 'Undoing' Desire in Letters to a Teenage Magazine Feminism Psychology, August 1, 2005; 15(3): 295 - 313. [Abstract] [PDF]

				S. Jackson 'Dear Girlfriend...': Constructions of Sexual Health Problems and Sexual Identities in Letters to a Teenage Magazine Sexualities, July 1, 2005; 8(3): 282 - 305. [Abstract] [PDF]

				E. Sieg VII. 'So Tell Me What You Want, What You Really Really Want...': New Women on Old Footings? Feminism Psychology, November 1, 2000; 10(4): 498 - 503. [PDF]

				C. Willig A Discourse-Dynamic Approach to the Study of Subjectivity in Health Psychology Theory Psychology, August 1, 2000; 10(4): 547 - 570. [Abstract] [PDF]