Abstract:

This article details occurrences of intergenerational sexual relations in Solwezi District, North-Western Province of Zambia. Today, there is an increase in the number of intergenerational sexual relations in the District because of the influx of migrants from other parts of Zambia and world over, who want to take part in mining in the area, as well as engage into business. Using a retrospective research approach, the study targeted all males and females engaged in the vice, sampled by snowballing. Findings of the study were analysed descriptively and thematically. Findings reveal the following:

1. That poverty is the major drive towards intergenerational sexual relations.

2. That though poverty may drive individuals to engage in the vice’s other reasons such as peer pressure, pleasure, desire for luxuries, having an edge over others, culture etc. may be the cause for intergenerational sex

3. Despite well-known consequences of engaging in the vice socially sanctioned attitudes and behaviours are linked to cross-generational sex.

4. People’s aspirations and expectations may be influenced by the size of the economy such that as the economy keeps growing new needs and desires consistent with the economy may be the drives of behavior.

This study recommends that the people be equipped with necessary tools that will enable them to find alternatives to replace the need to engage in sexual relations with older men and women as a means of survival. Another important recommendation is that mandatory sensitization should be undertaken by investing companies to avert the social backlash that arise in such situations.

Keywords: Intergeneration, Sexual Relations, Migrants.

References:

[1].     Adogu, P., Udigwe, I., Udigwe, G. and Ubajaka, C. 2014. Review of Problems of Adolescent Sexual Behaviour and the Role of Millenium Development Goals 4, 5 and 6 in Nigeria. International Journal of Clinical Medicine, 5(8), 9.

[2].     Bales, S.S., Eklund, S.J., and Siffin, C.F. 2000. Children's perceptions of elders before and after a school-based intergenerational program. Educational Gerontology, 26, 677-689.

[3].     Bantebya. G., Ochen, E., Pereznieto. P., and Walker, D. 2017. Cross-generational and transactional sextual relations in Uganda: Income poverty as a risk factor for adolescents.

[4].     Bennett, R. 1976. Attitudes of the young toward the old: A review of research. Personnel and Guidance Journal, 55, 136-139.

[5].     Berk, L.E. (ed.) 2003. Child development. (Boston: A & B).

[6].     Blunk, E.M. and Williams, S.W. 1997. The effects of curriculum on preschool children's perceptions of the elderly. Educational Gerontology, 23, 233-241.

[7].     Bronfenbrenner, U. 1987. Nobody home: The erosion of the American family. Psychology Today, 10, 40-47.

[8].     Erikson, E.H., Erikson, J.M. and Kivnick, H.Q. 1986. Vital involvement in old age. (New York: Norton & Co. Inc.)

[9].     Hickey, L.A., Hickey, T. and Tallish, R.A. 1968. Young people's perceptions of the elderly. Journal of Genetic Psychology, 112, 227-235.

[10]. Ingoldsby, B.B., Smith, S.R. and Miller, J.E. (2004). Exploring family theories. (Los Angeles: Roxbury).

[11]. Issacs, L.W. and Bearison, D.J. 1986. The development of children's prejudices against the aged. International Journal of Aging and Human Development, 23, 175-194.

[12]. Leclerc-Madlala. S. 2008. Age-disparate and intergenerational sex in Southern African: the dynamics of hyper-vulnerability. UNAIDS, 22(4)

[13]. Mavhandu-Mudzusi. A.H. 2014. Factors Contributing to Intergenerational Sexual Relationships among Refugee Girls in the City of Tshwane: South Africa Mediterranean. Journal of Social Sciences MCSER Publishing, Rome-Italy, 5, 20

[14]. Miller, S.M., Blaloc, J. and Ginsberg, H. J. (1985). Children and the ages: Attitude, contact and discriminative ability. International Journal of Ageing and Human Development, 19, 47-53.

[15]. Rubin, G.S. 1993. Thinking Sex: Notes for a Radical Theory of the Politics of Sexuality. In Abelove, H. (ed). New York: Routledge.