Social Networks and Sexual Practices
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Date
2009-12
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
This study examines adolescent social networks and sexual practices (and how they differ
among males and females of different ages) among ninth-grade students in two high schools in
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Social exchange theory and group socialization theory guide the study.
Other theories that the study utilizes are the theory of homophily, balance theory, the theory of
self-interest, and the theory of early sexual practices. Up to now, there has been no systematic
research in Ethiopia or the rest of Africa on the relationship between adolescent social networks
and sexual practices. Mixed-methods research guides the study, which consists of two parts.
Study A generated data from a 264-item survey of 167 respondents, to which parametric and
nonparametric statistics (using a consistent alpha of .05) are applied. Study B used 10 critical
cases to generate qualitative data. Critical cases are study participants selected based on their
capacity to provide reliable data of interest. UCINET 6.0 was used to draw social network
diagrams, and qualitative data were transcribed and subjected to content analysis. Friendship,
immediate family, extended family neighborhood, and religious networks are key components of
social network analysis. Friendship and family networks are two priority networks among
adolescents. The family network is the most stable type and the friendship network is the most
popular. The friendship network plays two important functions: information sharing and problem
solving. Adolescents’ like having school friends who are of the same gender, and out-of-school
friends of the opposite gender. Adolescent friendship networks are the primary means for finding
sexual partners. Peer influence and personal curiosity are the primary factors related to
adolescent sexual debuts. Male adolescents equate sexual practices with self-actualization and
adventure, while female adolescents equate sexual practices with love and emotional attachment.The adolescents’ own homes and their friends’ houses are the most popular settings for first
engaging in sexual activity. Female survey respondents reported having more than one
boyfriend, whereas male adolescents had a single girlfriend. The hypothesized associations
between adolescent-parent communication and age of sexual debut were not found to be
significant. The hypothesized relationships between social network variables and sexual
practices were significant, as were correlations between ages at which the respondents first
watched live sex and when they first masturbated. These findings concerning adolescents’
relationships and reproductive health risk factors give us a better understanding of the role of
social networks in adolescent health and sexual activity. Understanding adolescents’ social
networks is particularly important in light of the looming problem of HIV/AIDS in Ethiopia and
Africa. These findings are also important for social work and social development interventions
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Social Work