RISKY SEXUAL BEHAVIOURS AMONG ADOLESCENTS IN A RURAL SETTING IN ...

132 Pages·2015·0.52 MB·English

RISKY SEXUAL BEHAVIOURS AMONG ADOLESCENTS IN A RURAL
SETTING IN RUSTENBURG
By
Moraope Nompikeleko Doris

FULL DISSERTATION

Submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of

MASTER’S DEGREE IN EDUCATION
in
INCLUSIVE EDUCATION
at the
UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH AFRICA

Supervisor: Prof N. Phasha
DECEMBER 2014
Student No.: 41620402

0
DECLARATION
I, Moraope Nompikelelo Doris, student number 41620402 declare that the
dissertation entitled “Risky sexual behaviours amongst adolescents at a
middle school located in the rural setting of Rustenburg”, is ownwork. All
sources quoted in the study have been properly acknowledged. The dissertation
has been submitted for the degree in Master’s of Education in Inclusive
Education at the University of South Africa.

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Moraope, N.D
December, 2014
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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
I would like to send my sincere gratitude to the following:
• The Department of Education at Moses Kotane East APO and the office
of circuit manager Ms Molapo, for granting me the permission to
conduct my research study at the site.
• The principal Ms Masege, SMT, SGB and educators of the researched
site for allowing me to conduct my study at their institution.
• The participants who had voluntarily made an impact on this study
through their contributions.
• My family, especially my children: Thuto, Kerileng and Keotshepile for
their mutual support throughout the course of this study.
• My supervisor and mentor, Professor N Phasha for her patience,
guidance and support.
• God Almighty for giving me courage and strength; and for have taken
me through all the struggles and challenges I have encountered in
completing this dissertation.

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ABSTRACT
Early engagement in sexual activities amongst adolescents has become a
worldwide concern, with studies finding them to begin as early as 12 or earlier
(Booysen & Summerton, 2000; Dowsett & Aggleton, 1999). The behaviour
becomes even more concerning when youths engage in sexual relationships
which are considered as “risky”, that is, that put their health and wellbeing in
danger. According to Trends (2010), such behaviour increases one’s risk of
contracting sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and unintended pregnancies.
Guided by Bronfenbrenner’s ecological model, this study investigated risky
sexual behaviours amongst adolescents living in the rural areas. The motivation
was twofold, namely: to change the behaviours and to strengthen school
sexuality education programme. The study aligned itself to qualitative paradigm
and adopted a case study design. Data was collected using focus interviews with
20 adolescents (10 boys and 10 girls) in the age range of 15-17 years, who were
selected following purposive sampling.
The findings revealed adolescents’ tendencies of engaging in risky sexual
behaviours such as: sexual relationship with older people, involvement with
multiple partners, unstable relationship, pornography, sex in exchange of
money. Factors contributing to these behaviours include: limited sexuality
education, parents not teaching about sexuality education, lack of good role
models, poverty, and fear to disclose problems to teachers, ostentatious
lifestyles, peer pressure, and myths about sex. Suggestions put forth for
preventing involving risky sexual behaviours include: appropriate school
programmes, good learner-teacher relationship, effective communication with
parents, strengthening of the learning content of Life Orientation, discipline at
home, good friends, closing down of illegal taverns, illegalising sex with young
boys and girls and restricting access to pornography on the internet. In
conclusion, I suggest that the problem be addressed ecosystematically.
Keywords: Risky sexual behaviours; Adolescents; Multiple partners, Peer
pressure, sugar daddy/mummy.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Declaration i
Acknowledgement ii
Abstract iii
Abbreviations and acronyms used in this dissertation xv

CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION
1.1. Background 1
1.2. Problem statement 3
1.3. Rationale 3
1.4. Aims and objectives 5
1.5. Research questions 5
1.6. Bronfenbrenner’s levels of ecosystem 6
1.6.1. The microsystem 6
1.6.2. The mesosystem 7
1.6.3. The macrosystem 7
1.6.4. The exosystem 7
1.7. Definition of key terms 8
1.8. Further development of the study 9
1.9. Summary 10

CHAPTER II: LITERATURE REVIEW
2.1. Introduction 11
2.2. Risky sexual behaviours among teenagers 11
2.3. Common forms of risky sexual behaviours 12
2.3.1. Multiple partners 12
2.3.2. Sexual coercion 13
2.3.3. Prostitution 14
2.3.4. Sexual involvement with older people 15
2.4. Factors influencing risky sexual behaviours 16
2.4.1. Lack of knowledge 16
2.4.2. Poverty-stricken background 16
2.4.3. Peer pressure 17
2.4.4. Drug abuse 18
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2.4.5. Ignorance 20
2.4.6. Low perception of risk 20
2.4.7. Cultural influences 20
2.5. Implications of risky sexual behaviours 21
2.5.1. Health implications 21
2.5.2. Educational implications 22
2.5. 3. Behavioural implications 22
2.5.4. Social implications 23
2.5.5. Job implications 23
2.6. Strategies to prevent adolescent involvement
in risky sexual behaviours 24
2.7. Conclusion 27

CHAPTER III: RESEARCH METHODS
3.1. Introduction 28
3.2. Qualitative research approach 28
3.3. Research design 29
3.4. The research site 30
3.5. Population 31
3.6. Sampling and procedures 31
3.6.1. Description of participants 31
3.7. Compliance with the ethical standards 32
3.8. Data collection 33
3.8.1. Focus group interviews 33
3.9. Data analysis 34
3.10. Trustworthiness 35
3.10.1. Credibility 35
3.10.2. Transferability 35
3.10.3. Dependability 36
3.10.4. Confirmability 36
3.11. Summary 36

CHAPTER IV: RESEARCH FINDINGS
4.1. Introduction 38
4.2. Views about risky sexual behaviours among adolescents 38
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4.2.1. Sexual relationship with older people 38
4.2.2. Multiple partners 42
4.2.3. Unstable relationships 43
4.2.4. Indulgence in Pornography 44
4.2.5. Going to taverns 46
4.3. Factors promoting risky sexual behaviours 48
4.3.1. Limited sex education 48
4.3.2. Parent not teaching about sex 49
4.3.3. Lack of role models 50
4.3.4. Poverty 50
4.3.5. Fear to disclose problems with teachers 51
4.3.6. Ostentatious lifestyles 51
4.3.7. Peer pressure 52
4.8.8. Myths about sex 53
4.4. Strategies to prevent risky sexual behaviours 54
4.4.1. Appropriate school programmes 54
4.4.2. Effective communication with parents 55
4.4.3. Good learner-teacher relationship 55
4.4.4. Strengthening Life Orientation 56
4.4.5. Discipline at home 56
4.4.6. Having good friends 57
4.4.7. Closing down illegal taverns 57
4.4.8. Legalising sex with young boys and girls 58
4.4.9. Restricting access to Internet 59
4.5. Conclusion 59

CHAPTER V: DISCUSSION OF THE FINDINGS
5.1. Introduction 61
5.2. Strategies to prevent risky sexual behaviours 66
5.3. Conclusion 69

CHAPTER VI: RECOMMENDATION, LIMITATION AND CONCLUSSION
6.1. Introduction 70

6.2. Limitations 74
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6.3. Recommendation for further study 75
6.4. Conclusion 75

REFERENCES 76

APPENDICES
Appendix A: Permission letter to the principal and SGB 94
Appendix B: Lekwalo tetla go batsadi 95
Appendix C: Permission letter to the principal and educators 96
Appendix D: Permission letter to APO (Moses Kotane EAST) 98
Appendix E: Consent letter to SMT, SGB and educators 100
Appendix F: Biographical data 101
Appendix G: Personal data 103
Appendix H: Extract of interviews with both boys and girls 105
Appendix I: Extract of interviews with males only 112
Appendix J: Extract of interviews with females only 118
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ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS USED IN THIS DISSERTATION
AIDS Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome
CDC Centres for Disease Control
DoE Department of Education
FAMSA Family and Marriage society of South Africa
HIV Human Immunodeficiency Virus
LO Life Orientation
NGO Non-governmental Organisation
PSUNC Parent Speak Up National Campaign
STI Sexually transmitted infection
TADA Teenage Against Drug Abuse
UK United Kingdom
USA United States of America
VCT Voluntary counselling and testing

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CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
______________________________________________________________
1.1. BACKGROUND
Early engagement in sexual activities amongst adolescents has become a
worldwide concern, with studies finding them to begin as early as 12 or earlier
(Booysen & Summerton, 2000; Dowsett & Aggleton, 1999). The behaviour
becomes even more concerning when youths engage in sexual relationships
which are considered as “risky”, that is, that put their health and well-being in
danger. According to Trends (2010), such behaviour increases one’s risk of
contracting sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and unintended pregnancies.
Risky sexual behaviour may include early initiation of sexual intercourse, high
risk partners or sex with a partner who has one or more partners at a time
(Berry & Hall, 2009). For Taylor-Seehafer and Rew (2000), inconsistent use of
condoms and unprotected sexual intercourse are also risky sexual behaviours,
owing to their association with transmitted diseases, unplanned pregnancies and
risk reputation. Thomas’s (2009) study, conducted in Gauteng, South Africa,
amongst 1,139 learners, found that most sexually active adolescents were
practising unsafe sex. Of the number, a total of 55% had multiple partners and
52% indicated having engaged in sex without a condom. Similarly, a study
conducted by Khoza (2004) in Limpopo amongst 60 adolescents revealed
teenagers’ tendency to engage in risky sex practices, such as unprotected sexual
intercourse, prostitution, sex at an early age, coercion and partnering with older
men, thus increasing the risk of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). These
behaviours occurred in spite of comprehensive school-based HIV and acquired
immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) policy and preventative measures in place.
Internationally, studies also reveal teenagers’ tendencies to engage in risky
sexual behaviour. For example, a study conducted by Moore, Miller, Sugland,
Morrison, Glei and Blumenthal (2010) in the United States of America (USA)
amongst 368 adolescents, reported that most had engaged in sexual intercourse
by their 18th birthday. The study further highlighted that the younger the age of
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