Fikelela AIDS Project Youth and Sexuality Research Ages 12-19 years in the Diocese of Cape Town South Africa

Executive Summary

This research is unique in that it aimed at establishing if church-going young people adhere to the principle of ‘no sex before marriage’, or if there other competing ‘voices’ and pressures that young people succumb to. Are they practising risky sexual behaviour, with multiple partners, no protection and what are the levels of sexual violence?

We conducted a survey in order to understand the gravity of the challenge, and to identify ways in which the Anglican Church might become more effective in dealing with issues of the sexuality of young people. The field research was undertaken between October 2004 and January 2005 and involved a detailed Questionnaire Survey (with 1,306 responses analysed), and three different Focus Group Discussions. Respondents were between 12 and 19 years of age, both male and female, and represented all the race groups in South Africa. The researchers visited them in their confirmation classes and youth meetings. A great deal of data was obtained. This booklet is not designed as an academic paper; rather it is a tool for church leaders and those involved in ministry with young people.

Our research reveals that church-going young people are not excluded from the risks faced by others in society. Of the respondents 30.5% have had sex (40% Male and 21% Female; Black 44%, White 26% and Coloured 30%). This is irrespective of geographical location (32% Rural and 30% Urban). Young people are practising vaginal, oral and anal sex or any combination. With regards to their first sexual experience, 90% of their first partners are friends or schoolmates, the venue was 75% at home or at their partner’s place, and only 35% used contraceptives. Casual sex was common; 66% of those who have had sex have had more than one sexual partner. Sexual violence also occurred as 6% of the respondents have been forced to have sex with someone else (Black 7.1%, White 6.5% and Coloured 5.4%). Of this coerced group, 12% have themselves demanded sex from somebody else.

There is thus a gap between the Church’s traditional teaching of ‘no sex before marriage’ and the realities of the way in which our young people live. Hence, we should no longer hide our heads in the sand and pretend that our young people are not at risk. This research has certainly identified several areas of concern. Nonetheless, it has also revealed encouraging information, as young people are interested in influencing change for the better.

In order to increase its effectiveness in addressing the sexuality of young people, the Anglican Church should be prepared to act decisively. The recommended approach should be multifaceted, given the increasingly complex landscape in which young people live. There is an urgent need to support young people in building healthy relationships. Parental workshops are an important intervention in order to enable parents to teach their children about sexuality, using an ageappropriate approach. Peer education should be adopted: that is training key opinion leaders in each church so that they can provide positive peer pressure. In addition, the church should take a stand against sexual messages seen in the media; silence implies consent. The church must clearly communicate its stand to society at large.