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A Phenomenological Study of the Experiences of Lesbian University Students in Kenya

Received: 4 April 2022    Accepted: 20 April 2022    Published: 28 April 2022
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Abstract

The rising cases of homosexuality and lesbianism in our learning institutions in Kenya is worrying. The Kenyan cultural attitude towards same sex sexual behavior is negative, whereas, homosexuality is proscribed by law. There is, however, limited scientific information in Kenya that explains why students are predisposed to homosexuality and lesbianism. The current qualitative study (N=12) examined the underlying, causes for lesbianism, perceptions, and psychological support lesbians receive in our universities. These participants were purposively selected using snow ball sampling technique. Focus group interview was conducted to generate data. Data were analyzed using a thematic approach. Findings from this study revealed that lesbianism is mainly caused by Social Psychological factors such as peer pressure, childhood sexual, and physical abuse, and poor self-esteem. These students reported favorable perceptions towards lesbianism. That lesbians are stigmatized, operate in secrecy, and cult-like manner. Lesbians behave, and play masculine and feminine roles respectively. Intriguingly, these students reported that they needed psychological support at the same time. This study concluded that this practice is prevalent in our institutions of high learning, and operates in secrecy, and cult like manner the knowledge of members of the faculty and Administration. This study recommended that these students should not be condemned for their deviant behavior per the Kenyan cultural and religious beliefs, and law, but offered professional counseling.

Published in Science Journal of Education (Volume 10, Issue 2)
DOI 10.11648/j.sjedu.20221002.14
Page(s) 72-78
Creative Commons

This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.

Copyright

Copyright © The Author(s), 2024. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Lived Experiences, Lesbian, University, Students, Kenya

References
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[3] Clarke, V., Elis, S. J., Peel, E., Riggs, D. W. (2010). Lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and queer psychology. An introduction. Research Gate.
[4] Coyle, A. (1998). “Developing Lesbian and Gay Identity in Adolescent”. In Teenage Sexuality: Health, Risk and Education, Edited by J. Coleman J. and R. Roker. London: Harwood Academic, PP. 163-87.
[5] D’Augeli, A. R., (1991). Gay men in College: Identity Processes and adaptions. Journal of College Student Development, 32, 140-146.
[6] Damond, L. M., (2003). Love matters. Romantic relationships among sexual minority adolescent in P Florsheim (Ed). Adolescent romantic relations and sexual behavior. Mahwah: NJ Erlbaum.
[7] Editorial (2022). Investigate fully claims of Sex Assault in City school. Opinion The Standard Media Group, Nairobi pg 16.
[8] Edobor, J. O., Ekechukwa, R., (2015). Factors Influencing Lesbianism among Female students in River State University of Education. Port Harcourt.
[9] Harding, A., (2014, February). Ugandan president Yoweri Museveni signs anti-gay bill. Retrieved from: www.bbc.com/news/av/world-africa-26331660
[10] Herek, G. M. (2012). Gender Gaps in Public Opinion about Lesbians and Gay Men. Public Opinion Quarterly, 66: 40-66.
[11] Hill, R. M., & Pettit, J. W. (2012). Suicidal Ideation and Sexual Orientation in College Students: The roles of perceived burdensomeness, thwarted belongingness, and perceived rejection due to sexual orientation. Suicide and life-Threatening Behaviour, 42 (5) 567-79.
[12] International Human Rights Program (March 20, 2012). Kenya: Country Report for use in Refugee Claims based on Persecution Relating to Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity.
[13] Kodero, H. M. N., Misigo, B. L., (2011). Perception of students on Homosexuality in Secondary Schools in Kenya. International Journal of Current Research 3, (7) 279-284.
[14] Krahn, G. L., & Putnam, M. (2003). Qualitative methods in psychological research. Handbook of research methods in clinical psychology, 2, 176-195. Oxford. Blackwell Publishing.
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[16] Love, P. (1997). Contradiction and paradox: Attempting to change the culture of sexual orientation at a small catholic college. The Review of Higher Education, 20 (4), 387-398.
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[18] New Combe, D., (2012). Homesexuality in Africa. Retrieved from http://dustinnewcombe:files.wordspress.com/2012/5/homesexuality-inafrica pdf
[19] Patton. M. Q. (2012), Qualitative research and evaluation methods 3rd Ed) Thousand Oaks CA: SAGE.
[20] Perrin, E. C,, (2002). Sexual Orientation in child and adolescent health care. New York, NY: Kluwer Academic/Plenum Publishers.
[21] Pew Research Centre (2013). A Survey of LGBT Americans: Attitudes, Experiences and Values in Changing times. Retrieved from: http:/www.pewsocialtrends.org/files2013/06/SDT LGBT-Americans06-2013 pdf.
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  • APA Style

    Bernard Lushya Misigo. (2022). A Phenomenological Study of the Experiences of Lesbian University Students in Kenya. Science Journal of Education, 10(2), 72-78. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.sjedu.20221002.14

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    ACS Style

    Bernard Lushya Misigo. A Phenomenological Study of the Experiences of Lesbian University Students in Kenya. Sci. J. Educ. 2022, 10(2), 72-78. doi: 10.11648/j.sjedu.20221002.14

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    AMA Style

    Bernard Lushya Misigo. A Phenomenological Study of the Experiences of Lesbian University Students in Kenya. Sci J Educ. 2022;10(2):72-78. doi: 10.11648/j.sjedu.20221002.14

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  • @article{10.11648/j.sjedu.20221002.14,
      author = {Bernard Lushya Misigo},
      title = {A Phenomenological Study of the Experiences of Lesbian University Students in Kenya},
      journal = {Science Journal of Education},
      volume = {10},
      number = {2},
      pages = {72-78},
      doi = {10.11648/j.sjedu.20221002.14},
      url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.sjedu.20221002.14},
      eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.sjedu.20221002.14},
      abstract = {The rising cases of homosexuality and lesbianism in our learning institutions in Kenya is worrying. The Kenyan cultural attitude towards same sex sexual behavior is negative, whereas, homosexuality is proscribed by law. There is, however, limited scientific information in Kenya that explains why students are predisposed to homosexuality and lesbianism. The current qualitative study (N=12) examined the underlying, causes for lesbianism, perceptions, and psychological support lesbians receive in our universities. These participants were purposively selected using snow ball sampling technique. Focus group interview was conducted to generate data. Data were analyzed using a thematic approach. Findings from this study revealed that lesbianism is mainly caused by Social Psychological factors such as peer pressure, childhood sexual, and physical abuse, and poor self-esteem. These students reported favorable perceptions towards lesbianism. That lesbians are stigmatized, operate in secrecy, and cult-like manner. Lesbians behave, and play masculine and feminine roles respectively. Intriguingly, these students reported that they needed psychological support at the same time. This study concluded that this practice is prevalent in our institutions of high learning, and operates in secrecy, and cult like manner the knowledge of members of the faculty and Administration. This study recommended that these students should not be condemned for their deviant behavior per the Kenyan cultural and religious beliefs, and law, but offered professional counseling.},
     year = {2022}
    }
    

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    AU  - Bernard Lushya Misigo
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    T2  - Science Journal of Education
    JF  - Science Journal of Education
    JO  - Science Journal of Education
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    AB  - The rising cases of homosexuality and lesbianism in our learning institutions in Kenya is worrying. The Kenyan cultural attitude towards same sex sexual behavior is negative, whereas, homosexuality is proscribed by law. There is, however, limited scientific information in Kenya that explains why students are predisposed to homosexuality and lesbianism. The current qualitative study (N=12) examined the underlying, causes for lesbianism, perceptions, and psychological support lesbians receive in our universities. These participants were purposively selected using snow ball sampling technique. Focus group interview was conducted to generate data. Data were analyzed using a thematic approach. Findings from this study revealed that lesbianism is mainly caused by Social Psychological factors such as peer pressure, childhood sexual, and physical abuse, and poor self-esteem. These students reported favorable perceptions towards lesbianism. That lesbians are stigmatized, operate in secrecy, and cult-like manner. Lesbians behave, and play masculine and feminine roles respectively. Intriguingly, these students reported that they needed psychological support at the same time. This study concluded that this practice is prevalent in our institutions of high learning, and operates in secrecy, and cult like manner the knowledge of members of the faculty and Administration. This study recommended that these students should not be condemned for their deviant behavior per the Kenyan cultural and religious beliefs, and law, but offered professional counseling.
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Author Information
  • School of Education, Department of Educational Psychology, Moi University, Eldoret, Kenya

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