Makerere Institute of Social Research (MISR) Collections

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Browsing Makerere Institute of Social Research (MISR) Collections by Subject "Adolescents"
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    The negotiation of sexual relationships among pupils in South-western Uganda.
    (Taylor and Francis, 2001) Nyanzi, Stella ; Pool, Robert ; Kinsman, John
    The objective of the study was to explore how school-going adolescents in south-western Uganda negotiate sexual relationships. Qualitative data were obtained from 15 boys and 15 girls (14-18 years old), during a series of role plays, focus group discussions and one-to-one interviews. A questionnaire was administered to 80 pupils (12-20 years old) from the same school. Most of the pupils were sexually active. Sexual relationships between boys and girls were mediated by peers. Boys initiated relationships. Exchange played an important role in the negotiation of sexual relationships. Money or gifts were given and received in exchange for sexual favours and to strengthen the relationship. To maximize gains, some adolescents had sexual relationships with adults. Sexual relationships were characterized by ambiguity. Love is intertwined with sexual desire, money and prestige. Girls have to be explicit enough to get a good deal; if they are too explicit they will be stigmatized as 'loose' but if they are not interested in money they may be suspected of wanting to spread HIV. Boys try to persuade girls that they have money, but do not want to emphasize this too much. In sexual negotiations a boy must persuade a girl that although he is modern and sophisticated (i.e. experienced) he does not chase after every girl; the girl does not want to come over as an unsophisticated virgin, but does not want to give the impression that she is loose either. There is a tension between the traditional ideal of female chastity and submissiveness and the modern image of sexual freedom. Multiple partnerships were highly valued as a sign of sophistication. Condoms were not considered important. Interventions aimed at reducing the spread of HIV do not seem to be having an effect on the behaviour of this group of adolescents. On the contrary, risky attitudes and behaviour are part of an adolescent ideal of modernity and sophistication. New approaches are needed to persuade this group of the need for change. Shifting the source of interventions from adults to the adolescents themselves, encouraging girls to try other means of earning money and debunking the idea that having many partners is sophisticated may be productive alternatives.
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    Socializing influences and the value of sex: The experience of adolescent school girls in rural Masaka, Uganda.
    (Taylor and Francis, 2001) Kinsman, John ; Nyanzi, Stella ; Pool, Robert
    In order to explore the socializing influences which have shaped rural adolescent schoolgirls' views and values about sex in a high HIV prevalence area of Uganda, detailed qualitative data was obtained over a one year period from 15 schoolgirls (aged 14-17), chosen for their willingness to participate actively in a series of role plays, focus group discussions (FGD) and one-to-one interviews. Findings suggest that the girls have been subjected to a wide range of influences, including parents, social functions, other young children, nature, their ssengas, peers, school, and various media, such as pornography. There was disagreement about the relative values of sex and virginity. Some were determined to retain their virginity, but the majority felt that sex benefits them socially and personally. Peer pressure was a major factor shaping many girls' opinions, while traditional influences are in decline. Because of the small sample size, care should be taken in generalizing from the findings. However, the data suggest that sex has a high value for at least a substantial minority of adolescent girls in rural Masaka, Uganda. Policy makers and health educators should therefore consider how best to devise safe sex messages that are both relevant and applicable to this especially vulnerable group.