Interview with Grace, 18-19, White British, middle class. Women, Risk and Aids Project, Manchester, 1989. Anonymised version (Ref: MCTAPE1)

This interview is part of the Women, Risk and Aids Project (1989-90) archive which was created as part of the Reanimating Data Project (2018-20).<br>Anonymised transcript of an interview with a young woman (Grace) in sixth form – criticism of ‘traditional’/formal methods of Sex education in schools (eg. teacher embarrassment, no way to anonymously ask questions, too heavy focus on condoms and heteronormativity). Most of her sex education was gleaned from teen magazines eg. Just Seventeen. Didn’t agree with fear-mongering approach of AIDS education and campaigning. Worries about pregnancy within her peer group. Has had a boyfriend, but does not want sexual intercourse yet – very strong notions/awareness within herself of ideas around consent and pressure. Talked about sex as something that young people ‘do’ (seen as natural progression?) rather than to seek pleasure, experiment etc.