Abstract:

Despite educational sexual models (ESMs) being highly recommended internationally for their ability to serve as real-life, age-appropriate, and anatomically correct models in comprehensive sexuality education (CSE) for learners with visual impairment (LVI), there is still limited research exploring South African teachers’ views regarding their use. The aim of this study was therefore to explore how South African teachers of LVI view the use of ESMs during their CSE lessons. Five teachers from a school for the blind were conveniently sampled and individually interviewed regarding their views. The theory of planned behavior underpinned this study. Based on their responses, four of the five teachers reacted with resistance to these models based on fear of safety concerns, parental censorship, as well as personal discomfort during pedagogy. Instead, these teachers felt more comfortable using sexually neutral objects such as using a banana to demonstrate how to put on a male condom. Findings suggest practical and theoretical considerations in behavioural attitudes, subjective norms, and perceived behavioural control still hinder some teachers’ comfort in using ESMs. Future research is encouraged to engage teachers of LVI’s in self-awareness and de-sensitivity training to overcome this resistance.

Keywords:

Comprehensive sexuality education, discomfort during pedagogy, educational sexual models, learners with visual impairment.