Unexpected: Intergenerational and transactional sexual relationships (Jamaica)
This video explores the issue of intergenerational, transactional sexual relationships, particularly between older men and girls. The video tells the story of two friends, Anabel and Eve, who decide to take up relationships with much older men. Despite being offered an appealing lifestyle and many gifts, Anabel realizes that her relationship does not feel right and opens up about it to her cousin, Christine. Christine helps her understand some of the personal and health risks that girls can face in the relationship, such as the risk of pregnancy, STIs, lower self-esteem, and violence, and the importance of talking to a trusted adult if someone is feeling pressured to enter into a relationship with an older man.
Youth
Intergenerational, transactional sexual relationships are relationships where typically an older man provides money and/or pays for a girl’s expenses such as bus fares to school, school supplies, meals, clothes, or other things in exchange for sex and sometimes companionship. While the girl can benefit from the money and materials that the older man provides, unequal power in the relationship can put girls at risk of contracting HIV and other STIs, unintended pregnancy, violence, and low self-esteem. Sometimes girls can get pressured into entering a transactional sexual relationship with an older man by friends, family, or economic circumstances. Talking to a trusted adult can be one way to help navigate any pressures and/or explore other ways to get support.
Parents
Intergenerational or age-disparate transactional relationships are commonly characterized as relationships where there is an age gap of 10 or more years or 5-9 years, respectively, between partners, and an exchange of money or gifts in return for sex. Typically an older man provides money and/or pays for a girl’s expenses such as bus fares to school, school supplies, meals, clothes, or other things in exchange for sex and sometimes companionship. While the girl can benefit from the money and materials that the blesser provides, unequal power in the relationship due to differences in age, status, or access to resources can impact a girls’ ability to decide if, when, and how to have sex, negotiate contraception, including condom use, and decide if and when to end the relationship. As a result, girls can face an increased risk of contracting HIV and other STIs, unintended pregnancy, violence, and low self-esteem. Sometimes girls can get pressured into entering into a transactional, sexual relationship with an older man by friends, family, or economic circumstances. As a parent, talking openly and without judgment can be one way to help girls navigate any pressures and/or explore other ways to get support.
Educators
Intergenerational or age-disparate transactional relationships are commonly characterized as relationships where there is an age gap of 10 or more years or 5-9 years, respectively, between partners, and an exchange of money or gifts in return for sex. Typically an older man, who can be known as a boyfriend, provides money and/or pays for a girl’s expenses such as bus fares to school, school supplies, meals, clothes, or other things in exchange for sex and sometimes companionship. While the girl can benefit from the money and materials that the older man provides, unequal power in the relationship due to differences in age, status, or access to resources can impact a girls’ ability to decide if, when, and how to have sex, negotiate contraception, including condom use, and decide if and when to end the relationship. As a result, girls can face an increased risk of contracting HIV and other STIs, unintended pregnancy, violence, and low self-esteem. Sometimes girls can get pressured into getting into a transactional, sexual relationship with an older man by friends, family, or economic circumstances and talking to a trusted adult can be one way to help navigate any pressures and/or explore other ways to get support.
Sexuality education can help equip girls with knowledge and skills to navigate situations where they may be pressured into a relationship and to help prevent unintended pregnancy, STIs, and violence.
International Technical Guidance on Sexuality Education
Decision-making
Decision-making
Resources
National Family Planning Board
For information, counseling and other services on sexual and reproductive health contact the National Family Planning Board at 876-536-9154. You can also visit their website at https://jnfpb.org/ to connect with a counsellor.