Influence of Psychosocial Factors on Homosexuality in Same Sex Boarding Secondary Schools: A Case of Kikuyu Sub-County, Kenya

Abstract

Globally, reports on homosexuality trends among students in the same sex secondary schools are on the rise. Owing to that, various psychosocial factors such as gender, education, peer pressure, attitudes, religion and parenting styles have been linked to homosexuality. This study assessed the influence of psychosocial factors on homosexuality in same sex boarding schools in Kikuyu Sub County, Kiambu County. The study’s objectives were: to examine the influence of peer pressure on homosexuality in same sex boarding secondary schools in Kikuyu Sub-county, analyse the influence of parenting styles on homosexuality in same sex boarding secondary schools in Kikuyu Sub-county, to evaluate the influence of religion on homosexuality in same sex boarding secondary schools in Kikuyu Sub-county and the influence of sexual abuse on homosexuality in same sex boarding secondary schools. The social learning theory and social integration theory formed the main theories of this study. The study target population was 1660 Form Three students and 6 teacher counsellors of the same sex boarding secondary schools and A sample of 166 students and 6 teacher counsellors was used. The study adopted a descriptive survey design. The Form 3 students were selected through proportional sampling and the teacher counsellors were selected by the use of a simple random sampling method. Questionnaires were administered to the students to collect quantitative data while interview guides were used to collect qualitative data from teacher counsellors. The quantitative data was analysed by use of descriptive statistics such as mean, standard deviation and cross tabulations and presented by use of figures and tables. Qualitative data was analysed thematically and presented in verbatim. The students who demonstrated homosexuality tendencies were approximately 7.2%. Most of the study participants disagreed 67(40.4%) that their peers influenced the kinds of friends who they kept. They were worried on how their decision was viewed by their peers and agreed that their peers’ view of homosexuality determined the way they viewed it. majority 101(60.8%) agreed that their parents were very strict and insensitive hence leading them to find acceptance in same sex friends they did not have any close emotional attachment with their same sex friend as their parents are firm but care about their emotional and physical needs The findings show that among those identified with homosexuality, the key and significant statements 25(15.1%) included that their friends influenced how they spent their leisure time. . Approximately 67(40.4%) disagreed that children who are sexually molested ended up as homosexuals while a slightly more than a third 59(35.5%) disagreed that they believed that a rape victim is likely to become homosexual later in life. majority of the respondents 90(54.2%) agreed that their religion didn’t allow same sex relationships. They agreed with the statement that most religions prohibit unnatural sex. Close to 76(45.8%) of the respondents agreed with the statement that same sex relationships were termed as evil in their religion. The study realized that same sex relationships were termed as evil in most religions 76(45.8%). Further, many religions dictated that one can only have a sexual relationship with someone of the opposite gender 102(61.4%). There was significance in various statements that respondents believed that a rape victim was likely to become homosexual later in life (x 2 =11.47, p=0.089). In addition, early exposure to sexual acts leads to homosexuality 29(17.5%). Therefore, the study recommends that parents should adopt a parenting approach where children are given the opportunity to express themselves and where their views are listened to, so that they do not fall prey to peer influence, which could lead them to homosexuality. The MOE should strengthen guidance and counselling departments by having teachers in the department trained on basic counselling skills in order to offer students psychosocial support that would enhance behaviour change in relation to child abuse and strict parenting and thereby address homosexuality.