Socializing influences and the value of sex: the experience of adolescent school girls in rural Masaka, Uganda
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Date
2000
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Uganda. Culture, health & sexuality
Abstract
In order to explore the socializing in¯uences 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
in¯uences, 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 bene®ts them socially and personally. Peer pressure was a major factor
shaping many girls’ opinions, while traditional in¯uences are in decline. Because of the small
sample size, care should be taken in generalizing from the ®ndings. 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.
Description
Keywords
Socializing, adolescent, girls, Masaka
Citation
Kinsman, J., Nyanzi, S., & Pool, R. (2000). Socializing influences and the value of sex: the experience of adolescent school girls in rural Masaka, Uganda. Culture, health & sexuality, 2(2), 151-166.