Mzumara, Paul (2002) A Study of Adolescent Decision-Making and Pregnancy in Zambia: The Case of Lusaka Urban District 1991-1998. Masters thesis, University of Zambia.
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Abstract
This study examines adolescent decision-making in matters of sexuality and pregnancy,and focuses on how adolescents decide about sex. With regard to their ability to decide freely and responsibly about sex, the underlying assumptions of the concepts of reproductive health and reproductive rights, which appear in the literature on adolescent sexuality, are used to empirically test adolescent decision-making and pregnancy. These presuppositions include:-The right to attain the highest standard of sexual and reproductive health, and right to service and information to make this possible and -The right of individuals to decide freely and responsibility if and when to have sex and/or children, and to have the information and means to enact their choices.Further, the influence of other factors (socio-economic, political, cultural, and demographic) variables on adolescent decision-making, like family circumstances, the community and social institutions in relation to adolescent sexuality are also investigated in this research.This study demonstrates that the majority of adolescents in Zambia are sexually active with high levels of adolescent pregnancy, and birth and that the brunt of all this heightened sexual activity is borne largely by the girls. Consequently, side by side with being sexually active, girls experience serious losses in their ability to freely and responsibly decide about sex to the extent that they are vulnerable to the whims and desires of their partners. This point is an important explanation for the rising incidence and rate of teenage pregnancy that is beginning to fuel calls for redefining adolescent sexuality and sex. In short, the data collected reveal that a lot is wrong with the social, cultural, and economic environment within which adolescents make decisions about sex. Although adolescents' indicated that the fear of diseases and the behaviour of their partner determined whether or not they would have sex, this research also demonstrates that there is a relationship between the sexual environment of adolescents, decision-making and the occurrence of pregnancy. It is also significant in this respect that most adolescents felt very strongly that adult figures in the community (parents, the clergy, teachers, etc.)disapproved of their efforts to take responsibility for their sexuality and fertility. This dilemma is partly to be explained by the inherent contradiction of Zambian society between the passion to keep adolescent sex a taboo while at the same time allowing indiscriminate and widespread sexual activity by all who can. This paradox, the study shows, robs teenagers of legitimate information flow channels and is,therefore, one of the factors that inhibits adolescents ability to freely and responsibly decide about sex.
| Item Type: | Thesis (Masters) |
|---|---|
| Subjects: | H Social Sciences > H Social Sciences (General) |
| Divisions: | Africana |
| Depositing User: | Geoffrey Obatsa |
| Date Deposited: | 05 Apr 2019 09:24 |
| Last Modified: | 05 Apr 2019 09:24 |
| URI: | http://thesisbank.jhia.ac.ke/id/eprint/9109 |
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