Larkan, Fiona

English

MURAL - Maynooth University Research Archive Library

Template provided by: “posters4research.com”‘AIDS Walks in High Heels’ (F. 23)Fiona.Larkan@nuim.ie Department of Anthropology, National University of Ireland (NUI) MaynoothThis poster forms part of a wider project entitledwhich seeks to understand• Constructions of sexuality amongst young, middle class, urban men and women in Ireland (Dublin) and South Africa (Western Cape) and• The extent to which those constructions of sexuality impact on the assessment of risk, thus informing and shaping sexual behaviour.Throughout  Southern Africa studies suggest that teachers are becoming HIV positive at rates comparable to those in perceived ‘high risk’ groups*. The participants of this study are student teachers from the University of the Western cape (UWC) in South Africa.  Their counterparts in Ireland are from NUI Maynooth and St. Patrick’s Teachers Training College in Drumcondra, Dublin.HIV Prevalence among young adults aged 15-49 years, by province.  South AfricaHuman Sciences Research Council (HSRC)South African Prevalence, HIV Incidence, Behaviour and Communication Survey 2005References:• *Badcock-Walters, P., Desmond, C., Heard, W., (2003) Educator Mortality in-service in KwaZulu Natal – A Consolidated study of HIV/AIDS impact and trends.  Demographic and Socio-Economic Conference, Tropicana Hotel, Durban, March 2003• Hoopes, J. (Ed.) (1991) Peirce on Signs: Writings on Semiotic, Chapel Hill and London, University of North Carolina Press.The application of Peirce’s model of a sign to the metaphor ‘AIDS Walks in High Heels’ would suggest that it is symbolic.  This is evidenced by the fact that the relationship or ‘grounding’ between the representamen (High Heels) and the object (AIDS) is entirely arbitrary (rather than contiguous).  There is no obvious physical link between the two elements, although there may be in the imagination of some people.‘Constructions of Sexuality, Risk and Choice: A Comparative Analysis – Ireland/South Africa’1. This is more than a simple admonishment about the danger of HIV and AIDS2.‘High heels are worn by teachers and people going to Church’ F. 20, UWC)These are student teachers.Speaks to those risks associated with autonomy and social mobility3.AIDS walks in high heels, i.e. not a passive force.  Is the act of putting on high heels seen as moving towards a riskscape?4. I’d say prostitutes because you have the image of prostitutes with high heels and fishnets.’ (F. 21 UCT)5.The expression represents the paradox of those students whose lived reality is ‘a contradiction of opposites’ in the day to day relating of value priorities. High Heels/Desire (Representamen)AIDS/Disease (Object)(Interpretant)Arbitrary Grounding‘AIDS Walks in High Heels’

AIDS Walks in High Heels

http://mural.maynoothuniversity.ie/2001/1/FL_AIDS_Walks_in_High_Heels.pdf

AIDS Walks in High Heels

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