Abstract

Young women in Uganda are at risk of negative sexual and reproductive health outcomes, in part because of sex with older men. Theoretically grounded in the concept of liminality, this paper examines perceived markers of adolescent girls’ suitability for sexual activity. In 2014, we conducted 19 focus group discussions and 44 in-depth interviews in two communities in Uganda. Interviews were conducted using a semi-structured tool, audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. Interviews examined markers of transition between childhood, adolescence and adulthood and how these were seen as relating to girls’ perceived readiness for sex. Analysis was thematic. Pre-liminal status was most often accorded to childhood. Sex with a child was strongly condemned. Physical changes during puberty and children’s increasing responsibility, autonomy and awakening sexuality reflected a liminal stage during which girls and young women were not necessarily seen as children and were increasingly described as suitable for sex. Being over 18, leaving home, and occupying ‘adult’ spaces reflected post-liminal status and perceived appropriateness for sexual activity including for girls under the age of 18. Interventions that seek to prevent early sexual debut and sexual activity with older men have the potential to reduce sexual and reproductive health risks.

摘要

乌干达的年轻女性面临性健康和生殖健康不良后果的风险，部分原因是与老年男性发生性关系。本文以阈限概念为理论基础，考察了青春期女孩是否适合性活动的感知标记。2014 年，我们在乌干达的两个社区进行了 19 次焦点小组讨论和 44 次深度访谈。采访使用半结构化工具进行，录音和逐字转录。访谈检查了童年、青春期和成年之间的过渡标志，以及这些标志与女孩对性的感知准备程度的关系。分析是主题性的。前意识状态通常被赋予童年。与儿童发生性关系受到强烈谴责。青春期的身体变化和孩子越来越多的责任感，自主和觉醒的性行为反映了一个临界阶段，在此阶段，女孩和年轻妇女不一定被视为儿童，而是越来越多地被描述为适合性行为。超过 18 岁、离开家和占据“成人”空间反映了后阈值状态和对性活动的感知适当性，包括 18 岁以下的女孩。旨在防止过早发生性行为和与年长男性发生性行为的干预措施具有潜力以减少性健康和生殖健康风险。