Sexual and Reproductive Health Behaviour in Skipped Generation Households

Living in a skipped generation household (SGH) has sexual and reproductive health implications for grandchildren and grandparents (Ntuli, B., Mokgatle, M., & Madiba, S., PLoS ONE 15: e0229487, 2020; Zimmer, Z., & Treleaven, E., Population and Development Review 46:709−733, 2020). Specifically, it can be stressful and challenging to give sexual education to grandchildren without the assistance of their parents (Jobe, Grandparents raising grandchildren: support and resource-related issues, 2013; Komjakraphan & Chansawang, The lived experience of living in skipped-generation household among Southern Thai elders. Journal of Research in Nursing-Midwifery and Health Sciences, 35(3), 35–56, 2015). Important factors that influence sexual and reproductive health issues in skipped generation households include culture, religion, neighbourhood, health condition, educational level of grandparents, and socio-economic status (Jobe, Grandparents raising grandchildren: support and resource-related issues, 2013). Grandparents and their grandchildren living in clustered apartments often shared with relatives and unrelated adults of the same-sex and opposite sex could lead to sexual activity exposure and influence sexual orientation and experiences. This chapter broadly discusses the sexual and reproductive health concerns that ensue among grandchildren raised within skipped generation households. Among others, various forms and experiences of sexual behaviour and its associated health implications are discussed. The chapter delves into some issues of sexual and reproductive health outcomes, changing cultural dynamics, and values on sexuality.