Affective Engagement with Research Evidence about Young People’s Sex Education in Kenya

Abstract

Sex and relationships have a big impact on young people's lives. For most young people in the world getting information about sexual pleasure, apart from pornography, can be difficult. And it's even harder if you live in parts of the world where you often aren't able to decide who to date or marry, or how many children you want to have. For this reason online information on sexuality is hugely popular. Research suggests that young people are arriving at sex education sites mostly through campaigns on social media. As not all young people are using these sites it is essential to find creative ways to engage with them in a way that strengthens and builds on existing online sex education. Our recent study used affective engagement as part of a multi-layered and multi-method participatory action research process on online sex education for young Kenyans online. We worked with a group of students from the Sauti music academy, to explore the meaning and relevance of themes that emerged from analysis of online behaviour on the Love Matters sex education platform and off-line research on gender roles and sexuality by young people. Young musicians wrote songs based on the research analysis and recorded these on YouTube. We found that the issues raised by young people using online platforms were also relevant to Kenyan offline non-users. Interpersonal exchange between the young people directly involved in the study, the sexual health experts and international creative team were key to stimulating critical reflection on meanings of sex and love, and creativity in the production of the 15 original songs that were produced during the project. The musicians involved said they had learned how to communicate effectively about sexuality, expectations and affection. Participants also learned how to use their own experiences to connect with people, and most said they realized their responsibility and potential as artists to make progressive social change. Learning on reaching audiences was one of the main unintended benefits for the artists of this project. P. Oosterhoff et al. 1573

Affective Engagement: Teaching Young Kenyans about Safe and Healthy Sex

“…This was a rigorous research project that relied on a thorough understanding of both the digital environment and the lived experiences of the Kenyan youth (Oosterhoff and Kageha Igonya 2015;Oosterhoff et al 2016). Love Matters has done extensive research on how connected young people in Kenya are before its launch and continues to do so.…”

“…Online information sharing can result in individual and collective action when online and offline social networks are affectively and practically linked (Oosterhoff, Hoang and Quach 2014).…”

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“…Whilst the approach we took was innovative, it was also rooted in research evidence and local urban realities. This was a rigorous research project that relied on a thorough understanding of both the digital environment and the lived experiences of the Kenyan youth (Oosterhoff and Kageha Igonya 2015;Oosterhoff et al 2016). Love Matters has done extensive research on how connected young people in Kenya are before its launch and continues to do so.…”

“…Recognising that 'researchers no longer have a monopoly over knowledge production and communication' (ibid. : 10), it is critical to support and actively engage with advocates and others working actively to affect change (Crewe and Young 2002;IDS 2015).…”

“…Our study 'Affective Engagement with Research Evidence about Young People's Sex Education in Kenya' (Oosterhoff et al 2016) used 'affective engagement' as part of a multi-layered and multi-method interdisciplinary participatory action-research process on online sex education for young Kenyans. Affective engagement is a person-centred conceptual approach that focuses on the role of emotions and affection for understanding rational thoughts, preferences and choices.…”