Examining the Historical Changes Influencing the Knowledge Attitudes, Beliefs and Practices on Sexuality, Child-Bearing and Abortion

Caroline Marygorety Akinyi Otieno

doi:10.58256/njhs.v4i2.86

Authors

Caroline Marygorety Akinyi Otieno
cmgakinyi@gmail.com
Department of Anthropology and Human Ecology, Moi University

Keywords:

abortion, attitude, beliefs, perspectives, tradition

Abstract

Abortion is not a recent phenomenon. Throughout human history, abortion has been practiced for one reason or another. In the context of traditional African society such as the Luo society, abortion is abhorred because life is regarded as sacred and devoid of human control. Morally, the problem of abortion touches on human life because it entails its destruction and involves risks to the aborting woman. The study sought to examine the changes that have taken place historically which have changed the knowledge, attitudes, beliefs and practices regarding sexuality, having children and abortion among the Luo of Migori County. It is assumed that the breakdown of traditional normative order due partly to socio-cultural, economic and moral changes is probably the single most important factor leading to the relative prevalence of abortion in the sub-county. The study used key informants and focus group discussions as methods of data collection using purposive sampling. The key findings included; there is breakdown in the society where beliefs, attitudes and perspectives on sexuality, child bearing have completely changed as a result of Christianity, urbanisation and mixed marriages between different communities. Above all there is a lack of cohesion and diminishing knowledge on human preservation.

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