The study set out to find out whether the phenomenon of blesser and blessee is an act of women empowerment or simply a sexual predatory caper. The study was carried out among university students and some selected members of the business community in Kabwe district in Zambia. The study used a qualitative method and a total of 120 respondents were targeted; 100 students from two universities and 20 selected businesswomen. The instruments used for data collection were semi-structured questionnaires, Focus group discussions via WhatsApp social platform, and face-to-face interviews. The study revealed that the blesser and the blessee phenomenon is real and has created a crazy, morally and economically sick society that is briskly sliding into an abyss of complete moral decadence.
Table of Contents
1. Background
2. Theoretical Framework
3. Objectives
4. Methodology
5. Findings and Discussion
6. Recommendations
Objectives and Core Topics
This research aims to investigate the "blesser-blessee" phenomenon in Kabwe, Zambia, to determine whether it functions as a form of women's empowerment or if it represents a pattern of sexual exploitation driven by economic factors and materialism.
- Transactional sexual relationships and economic dependency
- The role of poverty and unemployment as drivers of the phenomenon
- Sexual exploitation and risks to reproductive health
- Socio-economic vulnerabilities and the quest for middle-class lifestyles
- The critique of the "blesser" phenomenon through sexual economic and Marxist theories
Excerpt from the Book
Factors Contributing to the Blesser-blessee trend
Poverty and unemployment were found to be major factors contributing to the phenomenon. One respondent said: "Without my blesser, I would have stopped school since my parents are poor and cannot afford."
Another one said: "I am financially and economically independent today because of a blesser. He took me to school and even got a job for me. He empowered me."
The above suggests that the trend prevents poverty-stricken women from ending up in the streets since blessers come to their aid. The results of the study are in tandem with Ramjee & Daniels (2013)'s findings which suggest that many women resort to transactional sexual relationships to sustain their livelihoods and the younger are coerced into sexual activities with older men for the purposes of survival. The current study is also consistent with Mokhatle et al. (2018)'s view that the poor socio-economic background of students drive them into dating employed partners because they would assist them with financial support and basic necessities.
The study further revealed that the need for emotional and moral support put women at the receiving end in the whole transactinal arrangment. One respondent for instance stated: “ I ended up having a blesser because of loneliness. I have no parents to take care of my emotinal and moral needs. So my blesser is in a way my surrogate father. He is ever there for me as in giving me moral, emotional support, and finacial support. I am able to buy whatever I want and having a blesser prevented me from engaging in prostitution in the streets. So having a blesser is a good thing to me.”
Summary of Chapters
Background: This chapter introduces the "blesser-blessee" phenomenon as a form of transactional sex, highlighting its prevalence in South Africa and its emergence within the Zambian society.
Theoretical Framework: This section utilizes sexual economic theory and Marxist theory to analyze how economic status and the exchange of resources define these transactional relationships.
Objectives: This section outlines the research goals, including exploring the factors driving the phenomenon and assessing its impact on the social well-being of women in Zambia.
Methodology: This chapter describes the qualitative approach, utilizing semi-structured questionnaires, focus group discussions, and interviews with 120 respondents in Kabwe.
Findings and Discussion: This section details how economic hardship and materialism drive the phenomenon, concluding that it acts as a façade for empowerment while facilitating sexual exploitation.
Recommendations: This chapter proposes systemic solutions, including economic reform, unemployment mitigation, and educational programs to build female self-esteem.
Keywords
Blesser, Blessee, Transactional Sex, Materialism, Women Empowerment, Economic Inequality, Sexual Exploitation, Social Status, Poverty, Unemployment, Zambia, Gender Dynamics, Reproductive Health, Social Classes, Vulnerability
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core focus of this research study?
The study examines the "blesser-blessee" phenomenon, a form of transactional sex, to understand its social and economic implications for women in Kabwe, Zambia.
What are the primary themes discussed in the work?
The work explores themes of economic necessity, material aspiration, sexual exploitation, and the complex power dynamics inherent in transactional relationships between older men and younger women.
What is the main research objective of the author?
The primary objective is to determine if the blesser phenomenon serves as a genuine pathway to women's empowerment or if it is primarily an expression of predatory behavior.
Which methodology was employed to conduct this study?
The author utilized a qualitative research design, employing semi-structured questionnaires, focus group discussions via WhatsApp, and face-to-face interviews.
What does the main body of the text cover?
The main body covers the identification of contributing factors like poverty, the analysis of women's subjective experiences, and the application of Marxist and sexual economic theories to explain the trend.
Which keywords best characterize this academic work?
Key terms include transactional sex, materialist culture, economic exploitation, gender inequality, and the socio-economic context of modern Zambian society.
How does the author interpret the role of "blessers" in the context of the study?
The author argues that while blessers provide temporary financial relief, they often act as predators who exploit the economic vulnerabilities of the blessees, ultimately creating a cycle of dependency.
What conclusion does the study draw regarding women's empowerment?
The study concludes that the phenomenon is a deceptive form of empowerment, as it leaves women sexually exploited and lacking in power to negotiate for their own safety or healthy outcomes.
What practical recommendations does the author provide?
The author suggests that the government and NGOs should focus on eradicating economic inequality and unemployment while implementing educational programs to bolster the self-esteem of young women.
- Quote paper
- Jive Lubbungu (Author), 2021, The Blesser and the Blessee Phenomenon. Women Empowerment or Sexual Predatory Antics, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/1130337
