SEXUAL LITERACY OF KAZAKHSTANI TEENAGERS: KNOWLEDGE, PRINCIPLES AND BARRIERS

Abstract

The purpose of the study was a comprehensive study of the knowledge, views and experiences of adolescents regarding sexual literacy in the school environment, as well as the factors determining its development, opportunities and limitations. The study included quantitative and qualitative methods. The quantitative survey revealed the level of awareness of adolescents, sources of information, and the degree of openness of discussion, while qualitative interviews with educators, NGO representatives, medical professionals, and government officials helped to better understand socio-cultural, institutional, and social barriers, as well as identify acceptable forms and content of sex literacy education. The quantitative analysis was based on a cross-sectional design and conducted in the form of an anonymous survey. The survey included 22 questions grouped into eight thematic blocks: the level of awareness, sources of information, openness of discussion, attitudes towards teaching sexual literacy at school, experience of interaction and barriers, the importance of informatization, the level of knowledge and understanding, and final conclusions. The study involved 100 teenagers. Since the sample is based on the principle of accessibility and covers mainly urban respondents (88%), the degree of generalization of the results obtained for all adolescents in Kazakhstan is limited. The data was processed in Excel and Jamovi using descriptive statistics. Semi-structured interviews were used in the qualitative analysis. They covered such blocks as socio-cultural aspects of perception and resistance to sexual literacy, the institutional readiness of the education system, as well as external circumstances and systemic factors. The study involved 19 respondents – representatives of NGOs, educational authorities, teachers, doctors, and medical professionals. The data was transcribed, encoded, and thematically analyzed. The results showed that social networks remain the main source of information for teenagers, while the role of parents, teachers, and medical professionals is limited. The key barriers in discussing the topic were cultural attitudes (shame), parental resistance, and lack of institutional support in schools. Adolescents have demonstrated a high need for a systematic and culturally adapted model of sexual literacy based on cooperation between family, school, and the state.