How Gender Roles Influence Sexual and Reproductive Health Among South African Adolescents
TL;DR: Analysis of links between gender ideology or gender roles and the social impact of adolescent childbearing in the lives of rural and urban adolescents in KwaZulu/Natal, South Africa indicates gender ideals are grounded in traits that reinforce poor sexual negotiation dynamics and behavioral double standards and that place adolescents at risk for early pregnancy and other sexual and reproductive health complications.
Abstract: Although the literature on Africa increasingly adopts a gendered approach to sexual and reproductive health issues, few studies have addressed adolescent pregnancy and parenthood in such a framework. This article examines links between gender ideology or gender roles and the social impact of adolescent childbearing in the lives of rural and urban adolescents in KwaZulu/Natal, South Africa. It employs a triangulated research methodology (focus-group discussions, narrative role playing and discussions, and questionnaires and in-depth interviews) to inform an analysis of adolescents' notions of male and female gender ideals. This analysis forms the basis for an exploration of the potential influence of adolescent childbearing on young peoples' lives and factors that shape their sexual and reproductive well-being. Results indicate that gender ideals are grounded in traits that reinforce poor sexual negotiation dynamics and behavioral double standards and that place adolescents at risk for early pregnancy and other sexual and reproductive health complications. Overall, adolescent parenthood is viewed negatively by participants of both sexes because it compromises personal, professional, and financial aspirations. Compared with its effect on boys, parenthood has a disproportionate (and highly negative) impact on girls that is directly linked to gender-based inequities. The article addresses the research and policy implications of these findings.
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TL;DR: Key qualitative findings are summarised that help in understanding young people's sexual behaviour and why they might have unsafe sex; policymakers must take these into account when designing HIV programmes.
615 citations
TL;DR: Longitudinal analyses showed that early exposure to sexually explicit content in adult magazines, X-rated movies, and the Internet predicted less progressive gender role attitudes, more permissive sexual norms, sexual harassment perpetration, and having oral sex and sexual intercourse two years later.
Abstract: Correlates of use and subsequent sexual attitudes and behaviors predicted by exposure to sexually explicit content (i.e., pornography and erotica) in adult magazines, X-rated movies, and the Internet were examined in a prospective survey of a diverse sample of early adolescents (average age at baseline = 13.6 years; N = 967). Two-thirds (66%) of males and more than one-third (39%) of females had seen at least one form of sexually explicit media in the past year. At baseline, being black, being older, and having less-educated parents, lower socioeconomic status, and high need for sensation were related to greater exposure for both males and females. Longitudinal analyses showed that early exposure for males predicted less progressive gender role attitudes, more permissive sexual norms, sexual harassment perpetration, and having oral sex and sexual intercourse two years later. Early exposure for females predicted subsequently less progressive gender role attitudes, and having oral sex and sexual intercourse...
442 citations
Cites background from "How Gender Roles Influence Sexual a..."
...Research in other countries has shown that girls who adhere to more traditional gender roles are less likely to use contraception at first intercourse and thus may be more at risk for early pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases (Varga, 2003)....
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TL;DR: Among a sample of young women, limited sexual power was associated with inconsistent condom use but not directly with HIV.
Abstract: Gender power inequities are believed to play a key role in the HIV epidemic through their effects on women's power in sexual relationships. We hypothesized that lack of sexual power, measured with a four-point relationship control scale and by a woman's experience of forced sex with her most recent partner, would decrease the likelihood of consistent condom use and increase the risk for HIV infection among sexually experienced, 15- to 24-year-old women in South Africa. While limited sexual power was not directly associated with HIV, it was associated with inconsistent condom use: women with low relationship control were 2.10 times more likely to use condoms inconsistently (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.17-3.78), and women experiencing forced sex were 5.77 times more likely to use condoms inconsistently (95% CI 1.86-17.91). Inconsistent condom use was, in turn, significantly associated with HIV infection (adjusted odds ratio 1.58, 95% CI 1.10-2.27).
393 citations
Cites background from "How Gender Roles Influence Sexual a..."
...Younger women are likely to be at a particular disadvantage, as documented by a growing body of qualitative research (6,8,10)....
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...In the context of masculine norms defined by male control over sexual decision-making and prevalent forced and coercive sex, many women do not have the right of refusal (6,8,10,32)....
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Book•
12 Jan 2010TL;DR: A practical and authoritative guide to conducting focus group discussions in health and social science research, with particular emphasis on using focus groups in developing country settings.
Abstract: A practical and authoritative guide to conducting focus group discussions in health and social science research, with particular emphasis on using focus groups in developing country settings Monique M Hennink describes the procedures and challenges of each stage of international focus group research This book demonstrates how to balance scientific rigour with the challenges of the research context, and guides readers to make informed research decisions It includes unique field perspectives and case study examples of research in practice Topics covered include: planning international field research; developing a fieldwork timetable and budget; seeking research permissions; translating research instruments; training a field team; developing a culturally appropriate discussion guide; participant recruitment strategies; conducting focus groups in another language; managing discussions in outdoor locations; group size and composition issues; transcription and translation of the group discussions; data analysis and reporting focus group research
365 citations
TL;DR: Tools to enhance the accuracy and availability of knowledge in the clinic setting have a role, but need to be introduced along with initiatives to ensure that services are adolescent-friendly and do not stigmatise adolescent sexual activity.
346 citations
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Book•
01 Jan 1998
TL;DR: Theoretical Foundations and Practical Considerations for Getting Started and Techniques for Achieving Theoretical Integration are presented.
Abstract: Part I: Introduction to Grounded Theory of Anselm Strauss Chapter 1: Inspiration and Background Chapter 2: Theoretical Foundations Chapter 3: Practical Considerations for Getting Started Chapter 4: Prelude to Analysis Chapter 5: Strategies for Qualitative Data Analysis Chapter 6: Memos and Diagrams Chapter 7: Theoretical Sampling Chapter 8: Context Chapter 9: Process Chapter 10: Techniques for Achieving Theoretical Integration Chapter 11: The Use of Computer Programs in Qualitative Data Analysis Part II: Research Demonstration Project Chapter 12 Open Coding: Identifying Concepts Chapter 13: Developing Concepts in Terms of Their Properties and Dimensions Chapter 14: Analyzing Data for Context Chapter 15: Bringing Process Into the Analysis Chapter 16: Integrating Categories Part III: Finishing the Research Project Chapter 17: Writing Theses, Monographs, and Dissertations, and Giving Talks About Your Research Chapter 18: Criteria for Evaluation Chapter 19: Student Questions and Answers
33,113 citations
Book•
01 Jan 2008
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors present strategies for qualitative data analysis, including context, process and theoretical integration, and provide a criterion for evaluation of these strategies and answers to student questions and answers.
Abstract: Introduction -- Practical considerations -- Prelude to analysis -- Strategies for qualitative data analysis -- Introduction to context, process and theoretical integration -- Memos and diagrams -- Theoretical sampling -- Analyzing data for concepts -- Elaborating the analysis -- Analyzing data for context -- Bringing process into the analysis -- Integrating around a concept -- Writing theses, monographs, and giving talks -- Criterion for evaluation -- Student questions and answers to these.
31,251 citations
745 citations
TL;DR: Men's role in reproduction has gained in prominence but demographic research has focused on a problem-oriented view and limited topics as discussed by the authors, and men should be studied as womens partners and as individuals with distinct interesting reproductive histories.
Abstract: This paper aimed to explain why men have been excluded from demographic research and the new interest in studying mens roles; to evaluate existing research on men; and to suggest future research directions. Mens role in reproduction has gained in prominence but demographic research has focused on a problem-oriented view and limited topics. Men should be studied as womens partners and as individuals with distinct interesting reproductive histories. Barriers to inclusion of men in demographic research include norms of the US White middle class for demographic theorizing about fertility. Demographers view men in their economic roles and devalue their role in fertility except as providers of sperm and barriers to contraceptive use. The Western family norm assumes agreement between mens and womens marital interests and the isolated unsupported role of mother. Recent theories are addressing issues of power and negotiation within partner relations. Cultural evidence challenges prior norms. A male sample presents methodological problems. Feminism and the womens health movement have shifted the focus to men. Classic demographic transition theory has failed to explain fertility change in a range of settings. Methods from other disciplines and the inclusion of qualitative data open up research options for studying men. A broader contextual analysis is gaining in popularity. Two demographic trends will require future research on mens role in family planning and fertility: the relaxation of links between marriage and childbearing and cumulative widening gaps between the reproductive experiences of men and women.
476 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors present the findings of a qualitative study conducted among Xhosa-speaking adolescent women in South Africa which revealed male violent and coercive practices to dominate their sexual relationships.
469 citations