Bhana Deevia
University of KwaZulu-Natal, Ashwood, South Africa.
Cult Health Sex. 2007 May-Jun;9(3):309-24. doi: 10.1080/13691050601116686.
The primary objective in this study was to explore what HIV and AIDS mean to seven- and eight-year-old children in South Africa and how sexual and gender dynamics are embedded within these meanings. Against representations that associate young children with innocence, the paper argues for a more capacious view of young children as sexual and gendered agents with the ability to exercise their rights. In contrast to research that addresses children as relatively passive desexualised beings, focusing on their dependence on adults, their innocence and their need for protection, this paper examines how HIV and AIDS are constructed and negotiated by young people. It views children not simply in terms of their need for sexual rights but as potentially active participants in the negotiation of their rights. Viewing children's rights as highly contested, the notion that young children have sexual rights opens up possibilities for children (including those from marginalised groups) to talk about their concerns and pleasures, fears and hopes, as well as issues relating to sexual rights and resistances. By working creatively with teachers, it may be possible to broaden young children's knowledge of HIV and AIDS and sexuality within a more supportive environment.
本研究的主要目的是探究艾滋病毒和艾滋病对南非7至8岁儿童意味着什么，以及性与性别动态如何融入这些意义之中。与将幼儿与纯真联系在一起的观念相反，本文主张以更宽泛的视角看待幼儿，将他们视为有能力行使自身权利的性与性别主体。与那些把儿童视为相对被动的、去性化的个体，关注其对成年人的依赖、纯真以及保护需求的研究不同，本文考察了年轻人如何构建和协商艾滋病毒与艾滋病相关问题。它不仅从儿童对性权利的需求角度看待儿童，还将他们视为权利协商中潜在的积极参与者。鉴于儿童权利存在高度争议，幼儿拥有性权利这一观念为儿童（包括来自边缘化群体的儿童）谈论自身的关切与快乐、恐惧与希望以及与性权利和反抗相关的问题开辟了可能性。通过与教师创造性地合作，或许能够在更具支持性的环境中拓宽幼儿对艾滋病毒、艾滋病及性方面的认知。
