Delvedibbers,
This week we continue to investigate HIV in the context of gender and sexuality. In previous weeks varying methodologies to reducing the rates of transmission were discussed. This week we are looking at HIV/AIDS through the lens of gender and sexuality.
Before I share my commentary on the issue. I think it’s important to make the distinction between the physical act of sex and the cultural significance that composes sexuality. Sexuality has a cultural implication that expresses ones idea of ownership of their body. Furthermore, I begin the discussion with the position that a sense of sexuality empowers the individual. This sense of sexuality is typically deemed as a right of passage into adulthood. However, what happens a sense of sexuality is dismissed?
In, Endangered Youth? Youth, gender and sexualities in urban Botswana by Cathy McIlwaine and Kavita Datta the co-authors explore sexuality and HIV/AIDS with a center focus on youth. In this article they note, “Nearly half of all new cases of HIV/AIDS worldwide occur among people between the ages of 15-24 years “(p. 483-484.) The authors later to comment that even though youth are sexually active their opinions are completely negated when it comes to the issue of HIV/AIDS. In Botswana there appears to be a strong significance on age when it comes to valuing opinion. This also may be the reason why the specific talk of sex to urban youth is non-existent. Sex is seen as an ‘adult act’ therefore not openly discussed. However, as HIV infection rates indicated, youth are engaging in intercourse. The question then becomes how do you address it?
From my understanding, traditionally a grandmother would be the educator of sex. When a female was entering into an age where she would be eligible for marriage she was granted the knowledge of sex. Over the course of several years the practice of instruction has been lost. Even more troubling, youth understand the dangers associated with sex but have never been educated about the particular matter itself. Society holds that sex is restricted to adults. Many articles even argue that because of this youth are more likely to have sex to bridge the gap between youth and adulthood. With this being addressed, I do not agree with sexual promiscuity. I am making this statement to argue that a sense of sexuality has been limited.
I argue, that if youth were taught to take ownership over their own bodies they would be less inclined to engage in risky sexual behaviors. The idea of developing a sense of sexuality may make many youth inclined to have less partners. I reason that the sense of sexuality has been stripped from sex. This could be another reason why the rates of HIV infection have increased. Furthermore, youth could be pressured into having sex at a younger age because it is sense as a ‘womanly’ or ‘manly’ practiced. The enticement of becoming an adult is driving many youth to make haphazard decisions.
With this in mind I think the issue of gender needs to be addressed. The role of gender plays a grand part in the discussion of sex and thus potential transmission of HIV. The issue of gender is anything but limited to female oppression. For instance, many boys are pushed to be sexually active by not only their peers but also male adult figures. As relayed in various articles the fear of anyone questioning their sexual orientation is a driving force to acquire multiple sexual partners. On the other side of the spectrum, women are expected to have sexual innocence. Women may be less inclined to practice safe sex because sexual knowledge threatens their ‘innocent image’.
Lastly, I would briefly like to address the issue of sexual orientation and the treatment of HIV. In Botswana, Homosexuality is criminalized. Unlike HIV/AIDS in the United States that is often associated with homosexuality, HIV/AIDS is seen as a heterosexual disease. Therefore I would reason that many are unaware that HIV can be transmitted from Man to Man or Women to Women. Particularly, troubling is the idea that homosexual relations are not recognized therefore men or women engage have intercourse then spread it to their opposite sex partner. Their extramarital affairs are dismissed because this is not scene as sex in the classic sense. For those who do identify as homosexual they could be denied or blackmailed if seeking treatment in a clinical setting.
While in Botswana I would like to understand the law that governs health care in Botswana. In the United States, health care centers must abide by HIPAA (The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) that places stringent rules on discussing patient information.
Keeping the ideas discussed above in mind. I would like to continue to address the following issues:
1) How financial (in)security affects rates of HIV transmission
2) The laws that affect the treatment of a marginalized groups.
-Paula
DelveDibs 