The quest for realism : an assessment of D.C. Maguire's ethical model as a resource in hermeneutical pastoralcare and counselling towards moral decision-making for adolescents in the midst of the HIV and AIDS epidemic in South Africa

[摘要] ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The reality of the HIV and Aids epidemic in South Africa has entered into the lives of allSouth Africans in such a way that all people are either infected or affected by this epidemic.The age-old aphorism 'Prevention is better than cure is also true for the HIV and AIDSepidemic and can be seen as one of the primary strategies in the fight against HIV and AIDSin Sub-Saharan Africa. A lot of work has been done by different organisations both publicand private to prevent further infections from taking place. Although there are a number ofdifferent strategies in place to help prevent the spread of HIV and AIDS, this epidemic is inessence a behavioural disease. By definition then, it can be prevented through changingbehaviour. However, this is easier said than done. To change behaviour it is necessary tochange thought processes and basic moral decision-making processes of individuals who areat risk of being infected with HIV and AIDS. In Sub-Saharan Africa the reality is thatadolescents between the ages of 15-24 are at the highest risk of being infected because of anumber of different factors often causing promiscuous and risky sexual behaviour. Eventhough incidence rates are decreasing as current statistics show, new infections are stilloccurring, especially amongst young people. A single, prescriptive approach, specificallywhen working with adolescents, is not feasible.In light of the above, this research study explores the moral decision-making model of DCMaguire as a possible approach to empower pastoral caregivers in hermeneutical pastoralcare towards guiding adolescents in a quest for realism in terms of their sexuality and sexualactivities. By looking at the current context of HIV and Aids in South Africa, as well as thereality of adolescent sexuality, this study suggests that an approach to moral decision-makinglike Maguire's can empower pastoral caregivers to guide adolescents comfortably andconfidently in the search for meaning-making when they are challenged with difficultdecisions regarding their sexual activities in the light of the HIV and Aids epidemic in South Africa.

[发布机构] Stellenbosch University