Exploring the influence of soap operas on teenage sexual attitudes and behavior; case study: teenagers in Nakawa division, Kampala district

Abstract

Television Soap Operas influences teenagers differently. This study was carried out in order to obtain an understanding of the influence of Soap operas on the sexual attitudes and behaviours of teenagers in Nakawa Division. The objectives which guided this study were to establish the extent to which teenagers in Nakawa Division are exposed to Soap operas, to identify attitudes and beliefs held by teenagers towards Soap operas and to examine the relationship between watching Soap operas and the sexual behaviours of teenagers in Nakawa Division. The methodology employed was a case study research design within a mixed methods approach and data was collected from 181 teenagers sampled from 6 different secondary schools in Nakawa Division. Data was obtained using structured questionnaires, interviews and Focus group discussion guides. Findings revealed that 68% of teenagers in Nakawa Division are frequently watching soap operas spending between 1 and 2 hours every day on Soap operas. Learning from the experiences of characters was top reason why teenagers watch soap operas with 45% response. Seventy four percent of teenagers believe that Soap operas show life as it is and 71% believe that soap operas is a main source of information about love, romance and sex for teenagers. Findings also showed that 26.6% of teenagers are engaging in sexual activities with yet another 78.8% believing that their peers are engaging in sexual relationships with 1 to 3 concurrent sexual partners each. Overall, the study concluded that there are several soap operas being aired on TV in Uganda with too much talk about sex and romance which could be very harmful for teenagers who are just getting to understand their sexuality. The study recommends that Soap operas which are here to stay in this digital era could be used profitably to educate the young people especially if packaged well with age appropriate messages. The study also recommends that adolescent programing should be rethought to clearly and specifically address the issues on sex and sexuality by ministry of gender, Uganda Communications Commission and Ministry of Education as well as a concerted effort by families and all Civil Society Organizations.