Reflections on the ethical dilemmas that arise for anthropologists conducting fieldwork on the provision of sexuality education in South Africa

Abstract

The revised ethical guidelines and principles of conduct for anthropologists in Southern Africa offer suggestions for the anthropologist's relations with and responsibility to research participants. Reflecting on the provision of sexuality education, I draw critical attention to the premises that underlie these guidelines, in particular those underpinning what the principles of conduct describe as a commitment to ‘local understandings of respect and dignity’. In doing so, the paper reflects on the discrepancies between ideals and practices.

Keywords:

• ethics
• sexuality education
• personhood
• identity
• fieldwork