More than Cars, Cash and Cellphones - Exploring Youth Perceptions on Intergenerational Transactional Relationships

Sammanfattning: The purpose of this thesis was to contribute to a more holistic understanding of how youth reason around Intergenerational Transactional Relationships (ITRs) by moving beyond the customarily analysis of youths’ motivations for the engagement. Empirical data was gained through qualitative semi-structured interviews and focus group discussions with youth in Windhoek. Informants’ accounts were analyzed against an analytical framework inspired by the integrative model of behavioral prediction and the underlining concepts gender, norms and stigma. The findings suggest that youth engage in ITRs for much more than short-term material benefits, e.g. to belong in a group, improve long-term life chances and feel in control over their life situation. Youth appear to be well aware of risks related to ITRs. The analysis pointed to the importance of using the ITR concept with care since it is a socially constructed term that to youth encompasses many diverse relationships with varying traits. The wide meaning of the term furthermore causes difficulties in appreciating how accepted ITRs are, but youth suggested ITRs in general are shameful and taboo. Finally, whenever youths’ desirability to engage in ITRs is discussed, a distinction between how youth view ITRs in themselves and the life the relationships enable, is needed.