“I Am Happy that God Made Me a Boy”: Zambian Adolescent Boys' Perceptions about Growing into Manhood

Dahlbäck Elisabeth, Makelele Patrick Ndubani Phillimon, Yamba Bawa, Bergström Staffan and Ransjö-Arvidson Anna-Berit

Abstract

 

Adolescence is a period of transition during which a person is neither considered a child nor an adult. As little is known about adolescent boys' perceptions, norms, role models and gender relations that influence their male identity and behaviour, this qualitative study was conducted. Data were drawn from seven FGDs and twelve mails of adolescent boys (15–19 years old) residing in two townships outside Lusaka and Kitwe in Zambia. Findings show that growing up to a man entails a certain level of ambiguity and contradictory perceptions in terms of supposedly appropriate social and sexual behaviour but indicates a few alternatives. Based on the findings, we recommend that the information gap, misconceptions and anxiety among boys regarding their male identity should be addressed. The respondents suggested that an educational programme that will pay due attention to their needs and answer their questions should be designed and implemented with active involvement of male adolescent peers. (Afr J Reprod Health 2003; 7[1]: 49–62)

 

Keywords: Adolescents, gender, male identity, role models, sexuality, Zambia

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References

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