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Beyond the Risk Discourse: Photovoice as Critical-Pedagogical Tool of Sexuality Education for Adolescents

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Abstract

Background

Given that sex education programs are considered an educational-pedagogical tool for facilitating the sexual socialization of adolescents, contemporary debate in this field tends to distinguish between emphasis on conservative pedagogy and on critical pedagogy.

Methods

Based on a single case study design, the photovoice-based work model was implemented as a critical-pedagogical tool, part of community-based participatory research (2017–2109) on sex and sexuality in the daily lives of adolescents. The study involved 15 teens who took part in an intervention program designed to promote healthy sexuality in the framework of a nongovernmental community organization based in the city of Be’er Sheva, in southern Israel.

Results

Content analysis was used to identify the learning processes facilitated using photovoice. Four main themes emerged: (1) beyond the risk discourse; (2) the right to self-subjective recognition; (3) challenging gender constructions; (4) human rights and healthy communication.

Conclusions

The contribution of photovoice as a critical pedagogical tool for sexuality education is expressed in that it enables adolescents to take an active stance when it comes to creating knowledge and expressing perspectives on sexuality in daily life, to challenge the obvious; formulate and express perceptions that align with a discourse of human rights, equality, and subjectivity, as well as the ability to re-examine rigid sexual perceptions.

Policy Implications

Study results suggest drawing from critical pedagogy in the design of healthy sexuality programs to expand their scope beyond a narrow focus on risk and prevention and to broader aspects of healthy intimate relationships.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Social Work, Sapir college, Ashkelon Court, 7915600, Israel

    Menny Malka

  2. Spitzer Department of Social Work, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Be’er Sheva, Israel

    Menny Malka

  3. Department of Sex Education, Open Door for Healthy Sexuality, Be’er Sheva, Israel

    Sivan Lotan

Authors
  1. Menny Malka
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  2. Sivan Lotan
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Correspondence to Menny Malka.

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The study on which the manuscript is based has received the approval of the Social Work School ethics committee at Sapir Academic College.

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Appendix

Appendix

Both authors have long-standing acquaintance going back a decade, when the second author was a student of the first author on a community work course, part of a bachelor’s degree in social work. While taking this course, the second author had already begun to explore the issue of sex education in Israel. After qualifying as a social work professional, she joined the Open Door for Healty Sexuality (ODHS) organization as director of its Be’er Sheva branch, developing expertise in sexuality, sexual therapy, and sex education. For the first author, one of his main areas of research was developing and introducing the use of the photovoice methodology in social work and community social work and community organizations. Informed by their mutual acquaintance, an opportunity arose in 2018 to introduce the photovoice methodology in an ODHS project dealing with training young people to become sex education campaigners. Thus, against this background, it was decided to train a group of teenagers, called “the Ambassadors," in a photovoice-based work model, with the guidance and support of both authors and other team members at Open Door. The authors would like to thank the Open Door for Healthy Sexuality organization, the Welfare Department of the Be'er Sheva Municipality, the youth who participated in the project, and the instructors who accompanied it.

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Malka, M., Lotan, S. Beyond the Risk Discourse: Photovoice as Critical-Pedagogical Tool of Sexuality Education for Adolescents. Sex Res Soc Policy 20, 103–119 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13178-022-00743-6

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