Situated ethics as methodological innovation in sexuality research governance with adolescents

Abstract

This article examines situated ethics as a methodological innovation for addressing tensions between institutional research governance and responsive ethical practice in adolescent sexuality research. Through reflexive analysis of a qualitative study exploring sexuality conversations between adolescents and their LGBTQ+ parents in South Africa, we identify critical gaps between procedural ethics and ethics-in-practice. Our research reveals how institutional frameworks, while designed to protect young participants, often constrain meaningful participation and marginalise youth perspectives in sexuality knowledge production. Key findings demonstrate contradictions between South African legal frameworks recognising adolescent sexual decision-making capacity from age 12 and research governance requiring parental consent until 18. We propose four methodological innovations: youth-centred ethical assessment, adaptive confidentiality protocols, capacity-responsive governance structures, and culturally responsive ethics frameworks integrating indigenous knowledge systems. Implementation strategies address institutional transformation through systematic change management approaches. These findings advance research methodology by offering evidence-based approaches to situated ethics that address unique challenges in sexuality research while providing transferable frameworks for diverse cultural contexts involving young participants and sensitive topics.