Doing sexuality research with children : ethics, theory, methods and practice

This article is a critical reflection on undertaking qualitative research with children and young people about sexuality issues. Framed within a feminist post-structuralist and queer theoretical perspective, the authors understand sexuality as a historically and culturally contingent category of subjectivity, and a complex signifying system founded on individual and institutional relations of power. Based on Australian research that has spanned the past decade, the authors reflect on their experiences of research with children and young people around sexuality, and the issues encountered in gaining approval to undertake this research from institutional human ethics committees. The authors also discuss the use of images from popular culture and media representations as a methodology to engage children, young people and adults in discussions on relationships and sexuality issues within the context of interviews and focus groups. In conclusion, the authors reflect on what it means to be a researcher in this field and offer some thoughts on how best to support researchers to continue engaging in this research.