title: Using Foucault’s notions of discourse to explore and research child sexuality

authors: Flanagan, Paul G.

abstract: “The object, in short, is to define the regime of power-knowledge-pleasure that sustains the discourse on human sexuality in our part of the world” (Foucault, 1978/1990, p. 11). Ideas of sexuality and ideas of childhood are located within historical, cultural and social contexts. Using Foucault’s notions of discourse, my doctoral study examines not only a history of childhood and sexuality, but also how language currently constructs the child and has effects on constructions of sexuality and childhood. Using six brief vignettes to engage parents, teachers and counsellors, as participants in talk about sexuality in childhood, I identified language that (re)constructs childhood and sexuality/gender. I describe citational chains that reiterate and repeat constructions of childhood and sexuality/gender as: 1. Children should only know about sex as heteronormatively gendered; 2. Children should not know about sex as reproduction; and 3. Children should not know about sex as pleasure. In studying language used by adults (parents, teachers and counsellors) in their talk about childhood and sexuality, Foucauldian discourse analysis provides a methodological approach to analyse effects of power/knowledge. Together with Butlerian performative theory and queer theory, an example of relations of power is given to show how adult language constructs and reconstructs childhood as innocent and ignorant of sexuality knowledge of reproduction and pleasure while also reiterating childhood sexuality as heteronormatively gendered.

text: Using Foucault’s notions of discourse to explore and research child sexuality “The object, in short, is to define the regime of power-knowledge-pleasure that sustains the discourse on human sexuality in our part of the world” (Foucault, 1978/1990, p. 11). Ideas of sexuality and ideas of childhood are located within historical, cultural and social contexts. Using Foucault’s notions of discourse, my doctoral study examines not only a history of childhood and sexuality, but also how language currently constructs the child and has effects on constructions of sexuality and childhood. Using six brief vignettes to engage parents, teachers and counsellors, as participants in talk about sexuality in childhood, I identified language that (re)constructs childhood and sexuality/gender. I describe citational chains that reiterate and repeat constructions of childhood and sexuality/gender as: 1. Children should only know about sex as heteronormatively gendered; 2. Children should not know about sex as reproduction; and 3. Children should not know about sex as pleasure. In studying language used by adults (parents, teachers and counsellors) in their talk about childhood and sexuality, Foucauldian discourse analysis provides a methodological approach to analyse effects of power/knowledge. Together with Butlerian performative theory and queer theory, an example of relations of power is given to show how adult language constructs and reconstructs childhood as innocent and ignorant of sexuality knowledge of reproduction and pleasure while also reiterating childhood sexuality as heteronormatively gendered.

year: 2019

title: Health and wellbeing among lesbians, bisexual, and sexually diverse women in Aotearoa New Zealand: An exploratory study

authors: Ellis, Sonja J.

subjects: Lesbian

abstract: Introduction
Compared to other western, English-speaking, nations there is limited research on health outcomes in LGBTQ + people in New Zealand; particularly among women. This study set out to explore health and wellbeing in sexual minority women with particular reference to differences between subgroups (i.e., lesbians; bisexual women; sexually diverse women).

Methods
This study utilizes data from an online survey of participants recruited in NZ in 2022 as part of the Global Pride Project. The analysis reported here is based on the responses of 67 sexual minority women on measures of health and wellbeing (e.g., general health, depressive symptomatology, quality of life, social support, community engagement).

Results
A primary finding of the study was that while sexual identity was a significant predictor of general health it was not a predictor of other study outcomes. Community engagement and social support were found to be significant associations of depressive symptomatology. Social support was also found to be a significant predictor of quality of life. Age was also a predictor of quality of life, with younger sexual minority women reporting lower quality of life.

Conclusion
The findings suggest that community engagement and social support play an important role in wellbeing; especially for specific subgroups of sexual minority women, which may be potential targets to improve sexual minority women’s health and well-being. Additional research with larger sample sizes is needed.

Social policy implications
The findings of this study underscore the need for sexual minority women to be specifically included in research, interventions and social policy aimed at ensuring health equity.

text: Health and wellbeing among lesbians, bisexual, and sexually diverse women in Aotearoa New Zealand: An exploratory study Introduction
Compared to other western, English-speaking, nations there is limited research on health outcomes in LGBTQ + people in New Zealand; particularly among women. This study set out to explore health and wellbeing in sexual minority women with particular reference to differences between subgroups (i.e., lesbians; bisexual women; sexually diverse women).

Methods
This study utilizes data from an online survey of participants recruited in NZ in 2022 as part of the Global Pride Project. The analysis reported here is based on the responses of 67 sexual minority women on measures of health and wellbeing (e.g., general health, depressive symptomatology, quality of life, social support, community engagement).

Results
A primary finding of the study was that while sexual identity was a significant predictor of general health it was not a predictor of other study outcomes. Community engagement and social support were found to be significant associations of depressive symptomatology. Social support was also found to be a significant predictor of quality of life. Age was also a predictor of quality of life, with younger sexual minority women reporting lower quality of life.

Conclusion
The findings suggest that community engagement and social support play an important role in wellbeing; especially for specific subgroups of sexual minority women, which may be potential targets to improve sexual minority women’s health and well-being. Additional research with larger sample sizes is needed.

Social policy implications
The findings of this study underscore the need for sexual minority women to be specifically included in research, interventions and social policy aimed at ensuring health equity.

year: 2026

title: Waiwharangi

authors: Maxwell, Te Kahautu

abstract: Haka. Lyrics/Musical score composed by Te Kahautu Maxwell. Performed by Ōpōtiki Mai Tawhiti (Kapa Haka group) (4mins)

Waiata: Tira Aroha
Whakaeke: Haere mai rā
Mōteatea: Te Pātere a Te Turuki
Poi: Iarararararī
Waiata ā ringa: Taku Mana Māori Motuhake
Haka: Waiwharangi
Whakawātea: Āio

text: Waiwharangi Haka. Lyrics/Musical score composed by Te Kahautu Maxwell. Performed by Ōpōtiki Mai Tawhiti (Kapa Haka group) (4mins)

Waiata: Tira Aroha
Whakaeke: Haere mai rā
Mōteatea: Te Pātere a Te Turuki
Poi: Iarararararī
Waiata ā ringa: Taku Mana Māori Motuhake
Haka: Waiwharangi
Whakawātea: Āio

year: 2020-02-06