Culture and sexual health : exploring the experiences of young South Asian women in Nova Scotia

Abstract

This qualitative exploratory study examined the experiences of a sample of young South Asian women living in Nova Scotia in relation to their sexuality and sexual health, while examining the influence of a bi-cultural upbringing. The existing literature concerning the sexuality and sexual health of South Asian women is limited and is mainly quantitative in nature. However, quantitative research often lacks the ability to explain or understand the context within which sexual development and decision-making occur. The findings of this study suggest that the influence of family and the cultural concepts of honour and shame are central to the participants ' perceptions and experiences of sexuality. The lack of communication about sexuality between parent and child was salient, which resulted in the silencing of meaningful discussion about sex and sexual health. Participants tended to polarize South Asian and Canadian notions of appropriate sexuality and described their perceptions of Canadian sexuality norms as more open and gender equal than South Asian, although this is not necessarily the case. Participants reported a compartmentalized mode of living in relation to their sexual expression and experience; these young women occupy multiple selves calling upon appropriate cultural personas for given situations . This presents a dichotomy between private sexual behaviours and one's public persona. This dichotomy must be considered by sexual health educators in an effort to effectively extend sexual and reproductive health strategies and services to better meet the needs of culturally diverse communities of young people in Nova Scotia.