Self-Assessment Questions (SAQs) for Study Session 2

Now that you have completed this study session, you can assess how well you have achieved its Learning Outcomes by answering these questions. Write your answers in your Study Diary and discuss them with your Tutor at the next Study Support Meeting. You can check your answers with the Notes on the Self-Assessment Questions at the end of this Module.

First read Case Study 2.1 and then answer the questions that follow it.

Case Study 2.1  Hawa’s story

Hawa is a 15-year-old girl living in a rural village. Her father and mother both died of AIDS when she was 4 years old. She was raised by neighbours until she reached 9th grade, at which time they left the area for good. Hawa then found it difficult to meet her daily expenses and married a rich 45-year-old man when she was 15. She was her husband’s second and younger wife, and he had 5 children with his older wife. For a time she thought her problems were solved; however, a year later she had a low birth-weight baby and couldn’t go to school as she had to take care of her child and do other household tasks.

SAQ 2.1 (tests Learning Outcomes 2.1, 2.2 and 2.5)

  • a.Use Box 2.1 to identify Hawa’s physical, emotional and socioeconomic vulnerabilities.
  • b.In your opinion, did Hawa made the right rational decision? Comment on her negotiation power.

Answer

  • a.Hawa was too young to get married legally and have a child. Adolescence is a period of rapid physical growth so the fetus would have been competing for nutrients with Hawa. This resulted in poor growth, reflected by its low birth-weight. At 15 Hawa may be emotionally unprepared to take adult roles and may not be able to give proper care to her child. The fact that she lost her parents and had no income compromised her options in life so marriage seemed a way out but she thereby lost the opportunity to have a good education and find employment.
  • b.Hawa could have negotiated on at least two issues even after she got married: first she could have delayed the first birth using contraceptives; and second, she could have asked to continue her education. However, since she doesn’t equal her husband in terms of age, income, and social status it was difficult for her to decide freely about these important issues in her life. Besides, it is difficult to make a mature and rational decision when only 15 years old.

First read Case Study 2.2 and then answer the questions that follow it.

Case Study 2.2  Kebede’s story

Kebede is a 16-year-old boy who recently moved from the village where he grew up to a town to pursue his education at a preparatory school. In the new school he met new friends. Some of his friends chewed khat and smoked cigarettes and told Kebede that it was normal for a modern young person to do these things. So Kebede started chewing khat, drinking alcohol and smoking. With his friends he frequently went to a nearby bar where he met a prostitute (commercial sex worker). Over time, Kebede felt that he was doing the wrong things. He decided he could no longer copy his friends’ behaviour just to get along with them. It took him a while to analyse his situation and decide to stop chewing khat, drinking alcohol, smoking cigarettes and going to prostitutes. Following his decision he was able to make friends who were free of such risky behaviours, which helped him to work towards achieving his dream, which was to perform well in his education.

SAQ 2.2 (tests Learning Outcomes 2.1, 2.3, 2.4 and 2.5)

  • a.Describe Kebede’s risk-taking behaviours.
  • b.What consequences could Kebede face as a result of his behaviour?
  • c.What type of life skills did Kebede use to be free from risky behaviours?

Answer

  • a.Kebede’s risky behaviours included having contact with a prostitute, chewing khat, drinking alcohol and smoking.
  • b.His sexual behaviour put him at risk of acquiring sexually transmitted infections, including HIV/AIDS. Cigarette smoking and alcohol consumption increase his risk of acquiring many chronic diseases. Further, as he is engaged in behaviours, such as alcohol drinking and khat chewing, that can become addictive, he could have social, psychological or mental health problems in the future (e.g. being isolated and stigmatised).
  • c.Kebede applied two important interrelated life skills – decision-making skills and critical thinking skills. He reflected on his own behaviour and tried to understand the consequences of his actions. He decided to stop his risky behaviours. In doing this he was able to analyse the influence that his peers were having on his behaviour and so he found new friends who were more supportive of what he was trying to achieve.

Summary of Study Session 2