Perceptions Regarding Formed Sexual Identities among Secondary School Students in Ubungo District

Abstract

This study sought to investigate students’ and teachers’ perceptions regarding formed sexual identities among secondary school students in Ubungo District. Specifically, the study was guided by two objectives that sought to: determine the ways used to identify sexual identities and examine the reasons for accepting a particular sexual identity among secondary school students. Mixed research approach and convergent research design were employed to collect quantitative and qualitative data through questionnaires and interviews. Purposive and stratified sampling were also used to obtain a representative sample of 20 professional teachers and 232 adolescent students from selected schools. The obtained qualitative data were subjected to thematic analysis and presented in quotes of respondents’ voices; while the quantitative ones were subjected to descriptive analysis that indicate frequencies and percentage and presented in tables. The findings indicate that students and teachers perceive formed sexual identities as sexual labels that are formed through comparing themselves with friends/same-sex peers, self-evaluation based on physical appearance and sexual feelings, adherence to the advice and sexual information obtained from parents/guardians and moralists like elders/religious leaders, or through searching certain sexual identity contents via social media accounts. Also, they are formed due to personal conviction toward homosexuality/bisexuality, addiction to same-sex sexual intercourse, obtained parental advice and sexual information, adherence to the natural law of sex, diminished sexual desire/arousal, moral and religious acceptability, early childhood experiences, and issues related to impotence. Therefore, it is recommended that parents/guardians and teachers should continue to advise adolescent students on matters of sexuality and prepare programs that will enrich students with possible ways to overcome identity confusions and appropriately recognize their identities.