Myths, Norms, Taboos and Rights (30 mins)
There are many cultural norms, taboos and myths around the subject of sexuality. Today we are going to look at four situations in groups and decide what cultural norms, taboos and myths are involved.
Read the below stories and ask yourself per story these questions:
- What cultural norm is involved?
- Are anyone's rights being infringed? If so, whose and which rights?
- Are there any myths in the story?
- Are there any taboos in the story?
Story 1:
Oyinda is 13 years. She has just started her menstruation and doesn't dare to come to school as she does not have money for tampons or pads. She doesn't dare to ask her mother what to do, so instead she pretends to be sick and stays home.
Story 2:
Odun is 15 years. He loves playing football and is not much interested in dating girls. His friends make fun of him that he's a wimp. His friends tell him he will remain infertile if he does not have sex soon.
Story 3:
Clementine thinks she is pregnant. She has only once had sex, with an older man, which she did not want to do but she did not dare to say no at the time. Now she is terribly sorry because she does not know who to turn to for help.
Story 4:
Yetunde and Danjuma lived near each other and became friends. They became closer and decided that they would like to marry each other. Yetunde introduced her mother to Danjuma and told her of her wishes. Her mother said that she would bless the marriage but she thought that father would never allow it as Danjuma is from another culture. Yetunde approaches her father but he shouts at her that she should never mention the suggestion again. Danjuma's mother says he should get a proper Hausa girl to marry.