PERCEPTIONS OF ABILITY TO REFUSE SEX AMONG SINGLE WOMEN IN URBAN CAMEROON

Abstract

This thesis reviews the variables that influence young women's ability to refuse sex with a man who has paid her school fees and a man who has power over her such as a teacher or employer. I use the 2002 Cameroon Adolescent Reproductive Health Survey, which contains information on a randomly selected sample of youth, aged 15 to 24 who reside in Yaoundé and Douala, Cameroon. Ability to refuse sex with one who paid school fees is positively associated with education, student status, and age, yet negatively associated with sexual experience, reporting most of friends have boyfriends, and tricked or unwanted first sex. Perceived ability to refuse sex with a teacher/employer is greater for Muslims and those reporting no religion, but less for those pressured by friends to have sex. Findings suggest that ability to refuse sex in general and ability to refuse sex under specific circumstances are distinct capabilities.