On this page we will share some of the insights and findings from the field, and give religious leaders and other interested readers an impression of this part of the research. Religion often plays an important role in the ways people shape their lives and the choices they make concerning sexuality and sexual well-being. Therefore, people may draw on teachings in their religious institutions as sources of guidance and inspiration, and contact their religious leader for counselling and advice. Religious leaders are often dedicated to offer teaching and advice, but may also find themselves in a position of lacking knowledge and expertise that is required.
What are themes and questions related to sexual well-being that are relevant to African-Dutch people in the Netherlands? How do religious leaders understand and approach sexual well-being in their congregations? Which methodologies are reported as fruitful? Which challenges are experienced and how are these challenges navigated by religious leaders? By presenting stories here we set out to provide some tentative answers to such questions.
Reflections from the field by Amisah Bakuri In May 2017, I went to the “God is good Ministry” in Amsterdam as a participant observer for my fieldwork. Usually I go alone but on this particular day I passed by Sandra’s home and asked her to accompany me to church. Her husband was not at home […]
Dr. Kim Knibbe, Festival We Make the City Part of our research focuses on the African Diaspora, both in terms of the religious leaders and their views on health and sexuality, and in terms of the stories of individual migrants. People migrate from Sub Saharan African countries for all sorts of reasons; to study, […]
Notes from a working conference in the Hague. How do African Christian churches in the Netherlands approach the issue of sexuality? What is the role of religious leaders in supporting youth and parents in navigating the complex topic of sex? These were some of the questions that were addressed during a working conference on […]
‘We are getting a better grip, but it is like a culture shock at first’, says the Ghanaian Dutch pastor in response to a presentation by Jelle Wiering about sexuality education in The Netherlands. The presentation takes place in a meeting between the research team and small group of influential pastors, who are interested in […]