Secrets, lies and redemption

Confession is a central disciplining technology deployed in the second series of ‘Intersexions’, a popular South African TV series that seeks to change sexual and social behaviours that contribute to the risk of HIV infection. The article considers the edu part of this edutainment programme, specifically with the nature of the lessons and with the form of disciplining the narratives presuppose for gendered and sexual subjects. Central to this critical and constructivist exploration of the gender relationships that are validated and expurgated are Foucault’s notions of discourse and confession as a technology of self. The authors argue that the series presents a range of different gendered and sexual subjectivities but implicitly endorses a modern subjectivity and transformation at the level of the individual. Bibliogr., notes, ref., sum. [Journal abstract]