Intergenerational Sexual Relationships: The Voices of the Public

Abstract

Encouraging intimate talk about sex on the radio is an unorthodox way of reaching research participants. However for this study it was the only viable option for eliciting information about a taboo topic-older men having sex with young girls.  Two radio talk-back sessions were conducted in Gaborone-Botswana with the aim of gathering men's views on intergenerational sexual relationships. The callers were asked whether they thought intergenerational sexual relationships were prevalent in Botswana or not, they were asked to give reasons for such relationships and whether they think intergenerational sexual relationships could contribute to the spread of HIV/AIDS in Botswana. They were 56 callers, 38 men and 18 women. They called from all parts of Botswana. In the views of the public and not just those of men are reported. All the 56 callers said that intergenerational sexual relationships exist in Botswana. Financial and material gain, love and sexual satisfaction, stimulating sexual drive, the myth of self-cleansing, loss of religious beliefs and cultural values were cited as the drivers of intergenerational sexual relationships. The majority of callers indicated that the main reason why these sexual relationships could contribute to the spread of HIV is the lack of condom use.  The lack of condom use was associated with the motives that drive older men and girls to engage in these sexual relationships. It is recommended that programmes that greatly increase the risk perception of young women and older men regarding involvement in intergenerational sexual relationships be launched. Legislation that takes a zero tolerance approach to exploitation and violence against women and girls should be reinforced.
Keywords: Intergenerational;  self-cleansing;    myth; stimulating; polygamy; condom