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'I'm not a real risk-taker': moral identity construction and sexual-risk perceptions among a group of young rural Tasmanians

journal contribution
posted on 2023-05-17, 11:42 authored by Bishop, E
Some young people are labelled more ‘at-risk’ of harming themselves through various behaviours, such as having sex, than others. However, such distinctions between young people are ambiguous, as youth itself is imagined as inherently risky. At-risk discourse has fuelled the existing links between youth and risk, and morality and risk. It has also impeded explanations of young people's sexual risk-taking. This article examines the stories that young rural Tasmanians (a group considered to be at sexual risk) tell about their experiences of safe and risky sex. A narrative analysis highlights the way that they perceive risk through the prism of self-identity. The participants' desire not to understand the self as a ‘real’ risk-taker inhibits them from imbuing their sex practices with significant risk. The findings suggest that sexual health research and safety promotion strategies may benefit from a shift away from at-risk rhetoric and a greater emphasis on the self-identity and risk perception nexus.

History

Publication title

Sex Education: Sexuality, Society and Learning

Volume

11

Issue

4

Pagination

401-417

ISSN

1468-1811

Department/School

School of Social Sciences

Publisher

Routledge

Place of publication

London

Rights statement

Copyright 2001 Taylor & Francis

Repository Status

  • Restricted

Socio-economic Objectives

Gender and sexualities

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