Introduction
Lockhart (2002) explores the possible routes of HIV infection in Tanzanian urban street boys. The thesis is being undertaken to put into context the avenues suggested by AIDS researchers to deal with survival sex in East and Central Africa. Most specifically, the report looks at street boys' reproductive networks, sexual habits, and attitudes about their sexual activity, such as the potential dangers involved with HIV/AIDS endemic.
Homosexual and Heterosexual Behavior among Street Boys
According to Lockhart (2002), the majority of street boys are active in a sexual network in which homosexual and heterosexual behavior are prevalent. Homosexual behavior is embedded in an intricate set of practices and ideologies commonly referred to as kunyenga that helps the boys rely on each other. The main element of the street boys' sexual practice entails a reduction in kunyenga practice as they grow older. However, there is an increase in heterosexual experiences after 11 years. Based on this article, it seems that there is an important phase between heterosexual and kunyenga. Moreover, during this phase, there is a prospective network for HIV/AIDS infection not just among street boys but also in the general population.
Analytical Response to the Reading
Based on Lockhart's article, I think that in East Africa, HIV/AIDS can be attributed to the breakdown of extended family structure and a considerable surge of orphans. Moreover, with regards to epidemiological data on HIV/AIDS as well as sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) in Tanzania, the number of orphans as a result of AIDS is more than 1 million, with approximately 670,000 orphans from the endemic. A majority of these children end up in the streets. Besides, other factors that force them to leave home include nobody to take care of them, hunger, and sexual/physical violence.
Discussion of the Ethics in Conducting/Presenting the Research
Even though Lockhart (2002) was elaborated in this article, he was not clear on ethical issues. In conducting research, it is important for the researcher to get approval from the ethical review board (ERB) while demonstrating how to protect the respondents. However, in this article, ethical issues are lacking.
How This Reading Demonstrates the Role of Culture in Health Phenomena
This article demonstrates that culture plays an important role in health phenomena. In this case, Lockhart (2002) shows how a culture with various and evident risk factors compared to those related to HIV/AIDS and other STDs are predominant, forces street boys to use different approaches to survival. These, in turn, contribute to significantly nuanced disparities among violence, sex, and play. Moreover, culture has significant implications for health research and prevention. Nonetheless, the article presents new insights regarding sexual practices and survival needs of Street boys in Tanzania. In particular, the article is about sexual networks and practices, attitudes towards sex and sexuality, and the perceived risks of HIV/AIDS for the street boys.
Methodology and Data Collection
The article adopted snowball methodology that involved 75 street boys in Mwanza. In addition, the study used semi-structured interviews, categorized into four sections including sociodemographic data, boys' sexual partners and practices, description of heterosexual and homosexual encounters, and understanding and attitudes towards STDs, especially their view of risks associated with HIV/AIDS. Data focused on the rate of homosexual and heterosexual encounters, types of street partners, classification of sexual encounters and opinions for HIV/AIDS risks based on sexual encounters and sexual partners.
Main Points
From the reading, it is evident that kunyenga is not only an initiation but also a continuous preservation of aspects that allow street boys to survive. Therefore, kunyenga changes the line that differentiates violence, sex, and authority. As a result, the boys attempt to keep their associations with each other to survive on the streets. The boys are also able to exist independently and eventually adapt to the life on the streets. While it is clear that street boys in Mwanza are at risk of HIV/AIDS due to circumstances, the reading shows that age is an important determinant. Younger boys are less likely to have sexual relations with a female, however, those approaching 18 want to leave childish behavior like kunyenga and engage in heterosexual practices. As such, street boys aged 11 to 18 years are actively involved in heterosexual practices and kunyenga. This age represents a platform for HIV transmission between general population and street boy's sexual networks.
Anthropology of HIV Epidemics
It is rare to find anthropologists and medical providers discussing HIV/AIDS endemic. Regardless of the fact that anthropologists overlook biomedical issues, anthropology presents useful insights that are essential in the biomedical and epidemiological perception of the HIV epidemic. Most importantly, anthropologists provide a socio-cultural understanding of the epidemic. In addition, anthropology demonstrates that political and economic structures shape people's behavior. Therefore, societal systems like sexism, inequality, and racism are a major aspect of understanding HIV. In any case, anthropology provides important contributions to understanding HIV. Hence, without this knowledge, health providers will lack up-to-date nuanced recognition of the epidemic.
Analytical Response
Although the Lockhart (2002) begins with a strong thesis statement in terms of exposing the network between sexual practices and how it serves as a means to survival endgame, he needed to have gone a notch higher to capture developing ideas in the abstract. As a reader, I find it rather easy to peruse and follow through the paper. On the contrary, I have a problem with the lengthy sentences that somehow bury the simplicity of content. Protracted sentences may be an issue to some readers regardless of whether or not they are well crafted. Again, long sentences make it complex to understand and relate to. Nevertheless, the fact that the article fails to embrace a single referencing style makes the paper inconsistent with the standards of research and writing.
Topic Selection and Originality of the Article
The topic selection of this article accomplishes the criteria in terms of effective topic choice. This is demonstrated throughout the article, particularly when discussing how sex has been used as a survival tool for street teenagers. Accordingly, originality is also realized in the topic of this article. This is highlighted in the article, which shows the perilous lifestyle that is the order of the day along the streets of Mwanza. The article unravels Kunyenga, which serves as the vehicle that enables street youth to further their interdependence. Apart from diminishing sexual differences and violence, Kunyenga is also responsible for advancing a power play syndrome that has seen many boys unable to lead independent lives. Thus far, the article is backed with facts on the ground and from an array of studies done by other researchers. In reality, the theme stirs up curiosity in the reader's mind with respect to how cultural anthropologists could be of help in trying to find a lasting solution.
Ethics in Research
In research, ethics is important when conducting. In this article, the author fails to adhere to research ethics because he did not get a consent form from the ERB. A consent form is important as it shows that the study requires research, explain the objective of the study, description of foreseeable risks to the participants, and necessary measures to reduce the risk. In addition, the consent form demonstrates that the participation is on a voluntary basis or refusing to participate will attract no penalty or benefits respondents are entitled to.
Educational Question
Does a conflict of interest between medical doctors and anthropologists who cannot agree on anything justify the argument that anthropologists have nothing to add to the discourse that seeks to comprehend the epidemiological and biomedical understanding of HIV/AIDS among street youths?
References
Lockhart, C (2002). Kunyenga, “Real Sex,” and Survival: Assessing the Risk of HIV Infection Among Urban Street Boys in Tanzania. Medical Anthropology Quarterly. Vol. 16 (3):294-311.
