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Social Exchange and Sexual Behavior in Young Women's Premarital Relationships in Kenya
Author(s) -
Luke Nancy,
Goldberg Rachel E.,
Mberu Blessing U.,
Zulu Eliya M.
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
journal of marriage and family
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.578
H-Index - 159
eISSN - 1741-3737
pISSN - 0022-2445
DOI - 10.1111/j.1741-3737.2011.00863.x
Subject(s) - transactional sex , social exchange theory , premarital sex , young adult , psychology , demography , human sexuality , negotiation , developmental psychology , sexual behavior , social psychology , population , gender studies , sociology , research methodology , social science
Transactional sex, or the exchange of money and gifts for sexual activities within nonmarital relationships, has been widely considered a contributing factor to the disproportionate prevalence of HIV/AIDS among young women in sub‐Saharan Africa. This study applied social exchange theory to premarital relationships in order to investigate the linkages between a variety of young women's resources—including employment and material transfers from male partners—and sexual behaviors. Data on the first month of premarital relationships ( N = 551 relationships) were collected from a random sample of young adult women ages 18–24 in Kisumu, Kenya, using a retrospective life history calendar. Consistent with the hypotheses, results showed that young women's income increases the likelihood of safer sexual activities, including delaying sex and using condoms consistently. Material transfers from the male partner displayed the opposite effect, supporting the view that resources obtained within the relationship decrease young women's negotiating power.