An Analysis of Adolescents'’ Discursive Construction of Sexuality in Nakuru County, Kenya

This thesis is based on an anlaysis of adolsecents’ discursive construction of sexuality. Its main objective is to gain an understanding of the world of adolescents sexuality. Worldwide, studies on sexual behaviour among adolescents indicate that a significant number of adolescents are becoming sexually active at an early age. Whereas it is true that culture and language use fundamentally influence sexuality by creating and communicating values, norms, and expectations regarding sexual relationships and behaviour, it is also true that due to various socio-economic and political changes, these cultures are gradually being abandoned. How sexuality is linguistically defined and framed within adolescents groupings thereby influencing their sexual decision and actions inspired this research. Goffmans’s Frame Analysis Theory and van Dijk’s Critical Discourse Analysis framework were used to examine the lexical items, the different discursive frames and strategies employed in the discourse of sexuality among school going adolescents. The study randomly selected a sample of 104 students from three secondary schools purposefully chosen within Nakuru County. Data was collected through focus group discussions. The data was transcribed, coded and analysed using Frame Analysis as well as Critical Analysis methods. The study established that the words used by adolescents in the construction of their sexuality falls into three functional categories and within which there were subcategories. These words are largely euphemistic and metaphorical. In view of frames, it emerged that there are four distinct frames i.e urgency frame, abstinence frame, authority and characterization or categorization frames. These frames mirror adolescents’ understanding and construction of sexuality and complement each other in the adolescent sexuality discourse. On strategies, seven strategies were used by the adolescents to naturalize and rationalize their sexual acts. These strategies are disclaimer, authority, categorization, euphemisim, metaphors, number game and hyperbole. It is hoped that these findings will not only add to the existing body of knowledge on sexuality discourse but will also inform stakeholders involved in designing youth sexuality programmes in different learning institutions. This may in turn contribute to solving issues such as unwanted pregnacies, school drop out and abortion among adolescents.

Tasnifu hii inatokana na utathmini wa uumbaji kimazungumzo wa ujinsia miongoni mwa wazulufu. Lengo kuu ni kupata uangavu wa ulimwengu wa wazulufu kuhusu uelewa na ufasiri wao wa ujinsia. Ulimwenguni, tafiti kuhusu tabia za wazulufu zimebainisha kuwa wazulufu hushiriki ngono za mapema licha ya ujamianaji kabla ya ndoa kukashifiwa. Ingawa utamaduni, matumizi ya lugha na miktadha ya kijamii imegunduliwa kuwa na nafasi muhimu katika kuelewa na kuthibiti mahusiano na ushiriki wa ngono, ni kweli kuwa kutokana na mabadiliko ya jamii kiuchumi, kisiasa na kijamii, tamaduni hizi zimeasiwa na kupelekea itikadi ya kujihini na ubikira kutozingatiwa na wazulufu. Wazulufu wanapofikia umri wa kuvunja ungo huanza kuunda kijitamaduni ambacho hutofautiana na watu wazima. Miongoni mwa jinsi ya kujitambulisha kama kundi la wazulufu ni lugha inayotumika kueleza ulimwengu wao. Uumbaji wa ujinsia kimazungumzo baina ya wazulufu ulimotisha utafiti huu. Utafiti huu, kupitia Nadharia ya Uchanganuzi wa Peo na muundo msingi wa van Djik wa Uchanganuzi Hakiki wa Usemi ulitathmini leksia, peo na mikakati mbali mbali katika uumbaji wa ujinsia miongoni mwa wazulufu. Wanafunzi 104 waliteuliwa kishelabela katika shule tatu za upili mjini Nakuru zilizoteuliwa kimakusudi. Mkabala wa kinyanja uliohusisha mijadala katika vikundi viini kumi na viwili ulitumika kupata data. Data ilirekodiwa, kutunukuliwa na kuchanganuliwa kwa kutumia uchanganuzi peo na uchanganuzi usemi. Ilitambuliwa kuwa maneno wanayoyatumia wazulufu katika uumbaji wa ujinsia yanaweza kugawika kiuamilifu katika makundi manne makuu yaliyo na vijikategoria vidogo vidogo. Maneno haya ni ya kitasfida na kistiari. Kwa mujibu wa peo za mazungumzo, peo za kimsingi za udharura, kujihini, mamlaka na uanishaji zilibainika. Peo hizi zinakuzwa na peo jenzi zinazotokana na utasfidi na ustiari wa maneno tumikizi. Peo hizi ni dira na kiambo cha uelewa wa ujinsia miongoni mwa wazulufu. Mikakati saba ya kimazungumzo imetambuliwa. Mikakati hii imegunduliwa kuwa hutumiwa na wazulufu kuhalalisha na kukawaidisha matendo yao ya kiujinsia. Inatarajiwa kuwa matokeo haya bali na kuongezea ujuzi uliopo katika uwanja wa lugha na uzungumzi, ujinsia, nadharia ya peo, utanufaisha washika dau katika taasisi mbali mbali za mafunzo wanaoratibu sera na vipindi kuhusu ujinsia na uadilishaji wa wazulufu. Inakisiwa huu ni mchango utakaoimarisha jitahada za kutatua tatizo la mimba za mapema na zisizopangwa na uachaji masomo miongoni mwa wazulufu.