Adolescent sexuality in Southern Africa : cultural norms and contemporary behavior

Data were obtained from the 1995 Botswana Adolescent Reproductive Health Survey and focus group interviews among university students. Findings indicate that 41% of males aged 15-16 years and 15% of females aged 15-16 years were sexually experienced. By the ages of 17-18 years the gender differences disappeared. Level of education did not affect the likelihood of females being sexually active. However, the proportion of sexually active females was lower among females enrolled in school. Males with higher levels of education were more likely to be sexually experienced than males with lower levels of education. Older adolescents were more likely than younger adolescents to be sexually experienced. Both males and females were likely to have one or more casual sexual partners. Findings suggest that cultural norms are weakening for premarital abstinence. Adolescents report that sexual activity is desired because of pleasure, childbearing, marriage, status, or money. About 33% of females viewed sexual activity as having no advantages. Males valued sex for pleasure and status. Focus group interviews revealed that female sexual activity is often motivated by economic gain. Both males and females were aware of the potential negative consequences of sexual activity, such as stigma, pregnancy, or sexually transmitted diseases. Focus group interviews also revealed that parents were not considered ideal sources of information about sex and related matters. Peers, siblings, and parents had the strongest influence on female reproductive health attitudes. The influence of schools declined with age for females and increased with age for males. Findings indicate that male and female sexual activity among the Tswana is influenced by different factors. (POPLINE abstract)