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The Sexuality of Disabled Bodies and Individuals with Disability in South Africa's Comprehensive Sexuality Education Scripted Lesson Plans

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Abstract

Local research has utilized both practical (youth with disabilities accessing sexual and reproductive health services) and theoretical knowledge (decoloniality, disability and sexuality) to understand the sexuality of persons living with disabilities. However, this knowledge has not been utilized to examine the visibility of disability and sexuality in South Africa's comprehensive sexuality education (CSE) scripted lesson plans (SLPs). A content analysis was conducted of all the Department of Basic Education's CSE SLPs (Grades 4–12). The study indicated that only in Grade 10 is disability and sexuality discussed in 3 activities. Within these activities, some attempt has been made to demystify certain misconceptions about the sexuality of disabled bodies (i.e. as celibate, asexual beings, with no romantic or sexual interests). The activities further debunk how various types of disabled bodies are sexual beings (i.e. not just those in wheelchairs). However, the fact that these discourses only emerge and left in Grade 10, raises concerns about the inclusivity of the CSE curriculum for disabled youth (e.g. CSE not acknowledging issues of power and consent amongst youth living with disabilities). A critical discussion is provided of the gaps identified and recommendations provided by existing practical and theoretical knowledge to inform the current CSE SLPs.

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Notes

  1. The terms ‘disabled learners’ and ‘disabled bodies’ are intentionally used here to highlight bodies perceived to be disabled, and the disabling realities created by society in the built environment, social attitudes and institutions, which exclude people living with disabilities from enjoying equal privileges as their nondisabled counterparts [14].

  2. See https://www.education.gov.za/Home/ComprehensiveSexualityEducation.aspx.

  3. Doxa refers to the language and assumptions taken as the status quo by the majority [46,47,48], e.g. disabled individuals are celibate, asexual beings. Orthodoxy relates to positions, statements and laws defended by the majority to support the doxa (e.g. sterilisation laws against the procreation of disabled persons). While Bourdieu [46,47,48] refers to heterodoxy as the opposing position held mostly by a disadvantaged group (e.g. disabled persons contending that they are sexual beings and can hold diversity gender identities and sexualities).

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  1. Department of Educational Psychology, University of Pretoria, Groenkloof Campus, Cnr of George Storrar & Leyds Str, Groenkloof, Pretoria, 0027, South Africa

    Lindokuhle Ubisi

  2. Social and Psychological Research, Johannesburg, South Africa

    Lindokuhle Ubisi

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Ubisi, L. The Sexuality of Disabled Bodies and Individuals with Disability in South Africa's Comprehensive Sexuality Education Scripted Lesson Plans. Sex Disabil 39, 291–307 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11195-021-09676-1

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