Imagi(ni)ng bodies as pleasure: interrogating sexual identity among university youth

bibliographic database

Periodical article

Title:	Imagi(ni)ng bodies as pleasure: interrogating sexual identity among university youth
Author:	Osaaji, Mumia G.
Year:	2008
Periodical:	Mila: a Journal of the Institute of African Studies
Volume:	9
Pages:	16-23
Language:	English
Notes:	biblio. refs.
Geographic terms:	Kenya East Africa
Subjects:	students sexuality images Anthropology, Folklore, Culture Gender identity Sex Pleasure Youth--Sexual behavior
Abstract:	This article, which is based on research among students of the University of Nairobi in 2007, examines changing sexual identities among male youth in Kenya. It shows that sexual identity among Kenyan youth is in a state of flux; youth are under pressure to 'escape' from more conservative sexual identities to the innovative and attractive sexual images of youth in the Western world, as popularized by hip-hop. The sexual identity of male students is increasingly influenced by the glitz and glamour of rap music, sport, and the Internet. The key markers of this emerging identity are the unique dressing and hair styles, the adoption of special speech acts (American accent and 'Sheng' dialect), a concern for a 'sexy' physical appearance (including tattooing), an obsession with casual sex, and a heightened lust for ostentatious material possessions. Bibliogr., sum. [ASC Leiden abstract]