Parents’ views on teaching comprehensive sexuality education to their young children in Zimbabwean schools

Abstract

There is an increase in child sexual abuse among young learners in Zimbabwe (Mahoso, 2020), therefore, there is an urgent need for comprehensive sexuality education to be implemented. This study aimed to establish the views of parents on teaching comprehensive sexuality education (CSE) to young children in primary schools. Most schools in Zimbabwe are avoiding teaching topics on CSE. This resulted in young learners being deprived of age appropriate CSE knowledge and their rights and responsibilities informed by the ecological theoretical framework. A qualitative approach within the interpretivist paradigm was applied with a case study design. Data were gathered using a semi-structured interview schedule. Purposive sampling was used to select 10 parents. The study revealed that parents’ cultural and religious beliefs impacted their views. Parents believed that sexuality education content is taboo and against their norms and values. They indicated that CSE content would encourage sexual activities among children. The study recommended continuous education on the importance of CSE and intensive advocacy campaigns to be initiated by all stakeholders. Parents should become involved in the development of a CSE curriculum framework for primary schools. Parents and teachers should work together to support the teaching of CSE to children.