zimbabwe teenage behaviour survey report 2009 (summarized)

The Behaviour

REPORTThe results of a Teenage Behaviour

Survey conducted by Project Beyond*REBELLION

ISBN: 978-0-7974-3932-0

www.thebehaviourreport.com

The Behaviour Report, © 20092 www.thebehaviourreport.com

COPYRIGHT

ISBN: 978-0-7974-3932-0

WEB: www.thebehaviourreport.com

EMAIL: [email protected]

ADDRESS: 18 Do Couto Court, 102 Central Ave, Avenues, Harare, Zimbabwe

TEL: +263(4)2918187 OR (733) 417 614

This publication belongs to the research sponsor and the publisher. All reproductions of publications should be with consent of wither party.

Published by

the communications company


Table of contents Executive Summary

Survey Overview

Key Findings

Chapter I – Personality & Self Image

Chapter II – Decision Making

Chapter III – Guidance & Accountability

Chapter IV – Beliefs, Culture & Traditions

Chapter V – Media & Entertainment

Chapter VI – Motivation & Achievement

Chapter VII – Knowledge & Learning

Chapter VIII – Money,

Chapter IX – Friends & Lifestyle,

Chapter X – Sexuality & Addictions

Sponsors & Team


EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

INTRODUCTION

Whilst Zimbabwe recovers on the economic front, with the corporate, governing, educational, spiritual, and family institutions chasing after their well defined goals, there is an area under serious neglect that may cause a regression of developmental efforts of either institution – the behaviour of the young person.

SITUATION ANALYSIS

Youths are the future of any people or society. How they behave today determines that future as it shapes certain behavioural patterns. Behaviour trends are set in high activity communities, and for the Zimbabwean youths it is in the urban areas – schools, church groups, social communities. Understanding the influences of current behaviour will equip decision makers in all institutes.

THE BEHAVIOUR REPORT

The Behaviour Report is a publication containing the results of a behaviour survey conducted in 2009 called Project Beyond*REBELLION. This report is available on print, CD, and online.


SURVEY OVERVIEW

OBJECTIVESThe objective of the survey was to take a dip stick picture of the urban Zimbabwean teenager’s behaviour in order to assist stakeholders formulate relevant and effective behaviour reformation programmes, relationships, and resources. we wanted to understand the following: 1. PERSONALITY & SELF IMAGE - What are the influences of personality and self image?2. DECISION MAKING & REASONING - Can youths make their own decisions and reason well?3. GUIDANCE & ACCOUNTABILITY - Does the family unit have strong influence regarding moral guidance?4. BELIEFS, CULTURE & TRADITIONS - Where are the beliefs of the youth coming from?5. MEDIA & ENTERTAINMENT - Which entertainment captivates the youth and how far does it go?6. MOTIVATION & ACHIEVEMENT - What motives the youths and what do they aspire?7. KNOWLEDGE & LEARNING - How much do they know and want to learn?8. MONEY - Do the youths have money to spend, how much, and where does it come from?9. FRIEnDS & LIFESTYLE - How much influence do their friends have on them?10. SEXUALITY & ADICATIONS - Are there any promiscuous sexual activities, homosexuals, drug addicts amongst the

Zimbabwean youths? THE METHODOLOGYThe assumptions are primarily that behaviour trends are set in these places in the teenage world, and then filter down to the other areas. The survey was limited intentionally to the urban teenager, especially those urban communities with diverse cultures – college students, first year university students, private school students, high density church youth groups, and so forth. After a test sample in December 2008, the survey was conducted between March – October 2009, with youths between the ages 13 – 22 years, from Harare, Gweru, Bulawayo, Masvingo, Marondera, Mutare, Kadoma, Kwekwe, and Chinhoyi. The survey gathered 630 records of the population building a report presented herein.

The field survey team travelled to these areas spending an average of an hour collecting the data. Each sample record was filled in by the students, handing them in to the team in an exam format, though casual to enable freedom when answering. The data was then captured into a software analysis package developed for the project, used by the analysis team to come up with the results thereof.


KEY FINDINGS

The questions were mixed on the questionnaire to make them more appealing and easier for the teenager to answer. Some of the key findings include the following: PERSONALITY - The majority is Friendly and easygoing (44%), followed by the loud one who always makes the jokes (21%) DECISION-MAKING - The majority thinks about situation first then acts (56%), followed by act first and think later (17%) GUIDANCE & ACCOUNTABILITY - The majority live with one or more of my birth parents (78%), followed by those who live with cousins (21%) BELIEFS, CULTURE & TRADITIONS - The majority is pick and mix (56%), followed by modern thinkers (18%) MEDIA & ENTERTAINMENT - The majority listen to Gospel (63%), then R&B/Soul (55%) and then Hip Hop/Rap (49%) MOTIVATION & ACHIEVEMENT - The Majority are excited about sports (49%), then 46% are excited about business and would like to be involved in it. KNOWLEDGE & LEARNING - The majority likes reading mystery or adventure stories (41%), followed by romance or fantasies (34%) MONEY - The Majority get pocket money of US$1 (21%), whilst 17% get US$2, though a minority of 1.6% get US$200 per week. FRIENDS & LIFESTYLE - The majority is good at cooperating and like to keeping everyone working together (50%), followed by those that say they are the joker and I like to have everyone laughing (22%) SEXUALITY & ADDICATIONS - Though the majority (67%) are not homosexual, though 6% are, 13% say other including bisexual and 14% did not answer. Possibly 19% or 33% are homosexual considering other and unanswered ones.


CHAPTER I – PERSONALITY & SELF IMAGE

What are the influences of

personality and self image?


1 - Which of the following statements best describes you:

44% - I am friendly and easygoing 20% - I am shy and take my time to make friends 13% - I am the peacemaker and optimist 21% - I am the loud one who always makes the jokes

45%

20%

13%

21%

The majority is Friendly and easygoing (44%),followed by the loud one who always makes the jokes (21%)

Friendly and easygoing

Shy and take my time

Peacemaker and optimist

Loud one


14 - When I am with my friends or in a team situation:

14% - I’m the one who comes up with the ideas and leads the group

50% - I’m a good at cooperating and like to keeping everyone working together

22% - I’m the joker and I like to have everyone laughing 8% - I’m the one who usually points out the flaws in the ideas and

plans we make

15%

53%

23%

9%

The majority is good at cooperating and like to keeping everyone working together (50%), fol-lowed by those that say they are the joker and I

like to have everyone laughing (22%)

Lead

Cooperate

Joker

Conquence/Thinker


CHAPTER II – DECISION MAKING & REASONING

Can youths make their own

decisions and reason well?


15 - When I am with my friends:

2% - I like fitting in and doing what everyone in the group is doing – its important to have my friends around me

28% - I do what I like, we all like to do our own thing and we will always be friends 22% - I don’t worry about fitting in, but I don’t really like to disrupt things 26% - I do what’s best for me and I don’t really care what my friends think about my

decisions 22% - Did not answer

2%

28%

22%

26%

22%

The majority do what they like when they are with their friends 28%, followed by those that do

what’s best for them (26%).

Fitting in

Our own thing

Cautious

What's best for me

Did not answer


16 - Rank yourself here:

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

39%

18%

5%10%

42%35%

78%

56%

20%

48%

77%68%

10%

28%

63%

34%

9%15%

2%9%

29%

10%2% 3%

Strongly AgreeAgreeDisagreeStrongly Disagree


24 - Why are you going to school?

74% - To get a good education 8% - To learn how to make money 0.16% - To just hang out with people 0.94% - Because I was forced 0.78% - Because everyone else is going to school

Get a good educa-tion

learn how to make money

hang out with people

I was forced Everyone is going Did not answer0.00%

10.00%

20.00%

30.00%

40.00%

50.00%

60.00%

70.00%

80.00%74.00%

8.00%

0.16% 0.94% 0.78%

16.12%

The majority 74% are going to school to get an education, 8% are going to school to learn how to make money and 94% were forced to go to school.


25 - If you could choose not to go to school would you still go?

75% - Yes 6% - No 9% Did not answer

75%

16%

9%

The Majority (75%) say if they could choose not to go to school they would and 16% refuted and said

no they would not.

Yes No

Did not answer


CHAPTER III – GUIDANCE & ACCOUNTABILITY

Does the family unit have strong

influence regarding moral guidance?


13 - Which is the most relevant statement?

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

48%42%

20%

7%

32%

83%78%

49%

20%

72%

6% 8%

35%

63%

14%

2% 2%

13%

27%

4%



CHAPTER IV – BELIEFS, CULTURE & TRADITIONS

Where are the beliefs of the youth coming

from?


5 - Which statement best describes how you feel about culture and tradition:

18% - Modern thinker – I’m all about the here and now that was then and things have changed, it’s important to keep up with the rest of the world

14% - Traditional and proud – Culture is important and I am proud of our traditions and where we have come from

56% - Pick and Mix, Anything goes – I don’t mind a mix of tradition and modern stuff; it’s always good to remember where you come from but it’s also good to keep up with the times

9% - What’s the fuss - Who really cares

19%

14%

58%

9%

The majority is pick and mix (56%), followed by modern thinkers (18%)

Modern thinker

Traditional and proud

Pick and Mix

What’s the fuss


6 - Which statement best describes how you feel about your religion or beliefs:

20% - I care that people see I am a Christian in the way I act 60% - I am a Christian and I care about my faith but I don’t think I need to push it in

everyone’s face all the time 17% - I am not very religious but I have my beliefs about what is right and wrong and I

always base my actions on those beliefs 3% - I prefer not to make a fuss about these things

20%

60%

17%

3%

The majority are Christian that care about their faith but think they don’t need to push it

everyone’s face (60%)

Christian & care

Christian yet no Fuss

Not Religious, yet ac-tions

No fuss


7 - I think my beliefs about what is right and wrong come from:

32% - My parents and family 7% - My friends 16% - What I see in my community 47% - The lessons I have learnt and what I have seen happening to other

people 9% - What I have learnt from youth leaders or church

29%

6%

14%

42%

8%

The majority thinks their beliefs about right or wrong came from the lessons they have learnt in life (47%), followed by parents and family (32%)

My parents and family

My friends

What I see in my community

Have learnt & seen

Learnt from youth leaders or church


CHAPTER V – MEDIA & ENTERTAINMENT

Which entertainment captivates the youth

and how far does it go?


17 - Which of the following modern music do you like?

49% - Hip Hop/Rap 55% - R&B/Soul 18% -

Rock/Contemporary 17% - Ragga 41% - House/Kwaito

Sungura/Local

Ragga

Rock/Contemporary

Urban Grooves

House/Kwaito

Hip Hop/Rap

R&B/Soul

Gospel

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70%

11%

17%

18%

19%

41%

49%

55%

63%

The majority listen to Gospel (63%), followed by R & B/Soul (55%) and then Hip Hop/Rap (49%)

19% - Urban Grooves 63% - Gospel 11% - Sungura/Local


18 - Which of the following movies do you like?

51% - Action/thriller

41% - Adventure 29% - Horror 27% - Drama 37% - Musical

Comedy Action/thriller Adventure Cartoon Musical Horror Drama0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%73%

51%

41% 41%37%

29% 27%

The majority watch Comedies (73%), followed by Action/Thriller (51%), and a tie between Cartoons

& Adventure.

73% - Comedy 41% - Cartoon


19 - Which TV show(s) do you like?

24% - News 43% - Drama/Soaps 65% - Comedies 28% - Educational 25% - Documentary 73% - Movies

Movies Comedies Drama/Soaps Educational Documentary News0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%73%

65%

43%

28%25% 24%

The Majority like watching movies (73%), whilst (65%) watch comedies and only 24% watch the

news.


CHAPTER VI – MOTIVATION & ACHIEVEMENT

What motives the youths and what do they aspire?


26 - Which stage of educational life do you think is better than the other?

10% - Preschool 9% - Primary school 29% - High school 39% - University/College 12% - Working

10%

9%

29%39%

12%

1%

The Majority (39%) think that University or college is better, 29% believe that high school is best and

only 9% say that primary school was better.Preschool

Primary school

High school

University/College

Working

Did not answer


27 - What would you say was the best moment in your life?

18% - Praised at home/school 13% - Got a lover 6% - Hugged with love 3% - Gained money 12% - Won something

40% - Passed exams/test 4% - Trading/Business/Transactions

18%

13%

6%

3%12%

40%

4% 4%

The Majority say that their best moment was when they passed their exams or test (40%), followed by 18% being raised at home or at school.

Praised at home/school

Got a lover

Hugged with love

Gained money

Won something

Passed exams/test

Trading/Business

Did not answer


28 - What was the worst moment in life for you?

28% - Embarrassed 6% - Abused 3% - Caught stealing 2% - Starved 14% - Falsely accused

25% - Failed exams/test 29% - Lost something/someone

Starved

Caught stealing

Abused

Falsely accused

Failed exams/test

Embarrassed

Lost something/someone

0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30% 35%

2%

3%

6%

14%

25%

28%

29%

They majority said their worst moment was when they lost something or someone (29%), whilst some said failing exams

or a test (25%)


CHAPTER VII – KNOWLEDGE & LEARNING

How much do they know and want to learn?


3 - I like reading…

41% - Mystery stories or Adventure Stories 34% - Romance or fantasy stories 11% - Non-Fiction books and biographies 9% - Science Fiction stories

43%

36%

12%

9%

The majority likes reading mystery or adventure stories (41%), followed by romance or fantasies

(34%)

Mystery or Adventure

Romance or fantasy

Non-Fiction or biographies

Science Fiction


4 - What do you think about your ideas and decisions:

I don

’t th

ink

man

y pe

ople

wou

ld b

e in

tere

sted

in m

y id

eas

Ever

yone

else

seem

s to

com

e up

with

bet

ter i

deas

than

me

I find

it h

ard

to m

ake

decis

ions

in cas

e I a

m w

rong

I usu

ally

feel

fool

ish ta

lkin

g ab

out m

y id

eas t

o m

y fa

mily

I find

it h

ard

to a

ccep

t a co

mpl

imen

t

I ofte

n wis

h I c

ould

be

som

eone

else

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

5% 4%

10% 10%7%

14%

27%23%

46%

29% 27%

34%

67%71%

45%

63% 64%59%

17%22%

12%

29%32%

38%



CHAPTER VIII – MONEY

Do the youths have money to spend, how

much, and where does it come from?


29 - Do you get pocket money when you go to school?

75% - Yes 9% - No 6% - Did not answer

75%

19%

6%

The Majority said they get pocket money when they go to school (75%) and 19% said they don’t get pocket money.

Yes No

Did not answer


30 - How much pocket money (US$) do you get per week (include bus fare)

21% - US$1 per week 14% - US$5 per week 4% - US$10 per week 17% - US$15 per week 9% - US$20 per week

US$1 per week

US$5 per week

US$10 per week

US$15 per week

US$20 per week

US$50 per week

US$100 per week

US$200 per week

Did not answer

0.0% 5.0% 10.0% 15.0% 20.0% 25.0% 30.0%

21.0%

14.0%

4.0%

17.0%

9.0%

5.0%

2.0%

1.6%

26.4%

The Majority get pocket money of US$1 (21%), whilst 17% get US$2, though a minority of 1.6% get US$200 per week.

5% - US$50 per week 2% - US$100 per week 1.6% - US$200 per week 26.4% did not answer


31 - Where does your pocket money come from?

71% - Local parent/guardian 15% - Diaspora parent/guardian 3% - Local relative 5% - Diaspora relative 0.6% - Diaspora friend 2% - Lover

Local parent/guardian

Diaspora parent/guardian

Local relative

Diaspora relative

Diaspora friend

Lover

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80%

71%

15%

3%

5%

6%

2%

The Majority (71%) get pocket money from a local parent or guardian while 15% say they get money from the Diaspora parent or guardian whilst 2%

from a lover.


CHAPTER VIII – FRIENDS & LIFESTYLE

How much influence do their friends have on

them?


14 - When I am with my friends or in a team situation:

14% - I’m the one who comes up with the ideas and leads the group

50% - I’m a good at cooperating and like to keeping everyone working together

22% - I’m the joker and I like to have everyone laughing 8% - I’m the one who usually points out the flaws in the ideas and

plans we make

15%

53%

23%

9%

The majority is good at cooperating and like to keeping everyone working together (50%), fol-lowed by those that say they are the joker and I

like to have everyone laughing (22%)

Lead

Cooperate

Joker

Conquence/Thinker


15 - When I am with my friends:

2% - I like fitting in and doing what everyone in the group is doing – its important to have my friends around me

28% - I do what I like, we all like to do our own thing and we will always be friends 22% - I don’t worry about fitting in, but I don’t really like to disrupt things 26% - I do what’s best for me and I don’t really care what my friends think about my

decisions 22% - Did not answer

2%

28%

22%

26%

22%

The majority do what they like when they are with their friends 28%, followed by those that do

what’s best for them (26%).

Fitting in

Our own thing

Cautious

What's best for me

Did not answer


32 - Who or what influences the style of clothes you wear?

16% - Friends 20% - Parents 15% - Brother/Sister 20% - Famous Person 17% - Other (Myself, Pastor’s wives, My background, Season, Style,

Christian belief, Media)

16%

20%

15%20%

17%

12%

The Majority (2%) have their dressing being influenced by a famous person as well as parents, while 17% are influenced by factors such as pastors wives ,Christian belief, media and

some have their own dressing styles.Friends

Parents

Brother/Sister

Famous Person

Other

Did not answer


33 - What do you and your friends talk about the most during breaks or on the way home?

32% - Music 27% - Movies 17% - Other

People 18% - Love 9% - Sex

3% - Drugs 31% - Other (Sports , Business, Girls, Everything,

Life Situations, Clubbing, Sex & Porn, Video Games, Success)

Drugs

Sex

Other People

Love

Movies

Other

Music

0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30% 35%

3%

9%

17%

18%

27%

31%

32%

The Majority( 32%)talk about music during breaks or on their way home, 27%talk about movies while 31%talk of other matters such as girls,

clubbing, porn and business


37 - Do your friends have to like him/her or approve of him/her?

Yes 30% No 55% 15% did not answer

30%

55%

15%

The Majority say that their friends do not have to approve of him or her (55%) followed by 30% who agree that their friends

should approve, while 15% did not answer the question.

Yes No

Did not answer


CHAPTER IX – SEXUALITY & ADDICATIONS

Are there any promiscuous sexual activities,

homosexuals, drug addicts amongst the Zimbabwean

youths?


38 - Are you a homosexual?

Yes 6% No 67% Other 13%, 14% did not answer

6%

67%

13%

14%

Though the majority (67%) are not homosexual, though 6% are, 13% say other including bisexual and 14% did not an-

swer. Possibly 19% or 33% are homosexual considering other and unanswered ones.

Yes No

Other Did not answer


42 - Do you have a child?

Yes 1% No 37% 62% did not answer

1%

37%

62%

The Majority (62%) did not answer the question, 37% said they do not have a child, while 1% agreed that they have

children.

Yes No

Did not answer


SPONSORS & TEAMS

The survey was built over the years and conducted in 2009, under the auspices of voluntary youth organisations and colleges, such as Youth Encounter, Scripture Union, Harvesters in Sport, private colleges, churches, and other technical and financial sponsors that sought to understand teenage behaviour. Key SponsorsOscar Manduku (Researcher), a media & communications consultant, is author of Beyond*REBELLION (the book of which the survey is extracted) and other consumer behaviour material, is the former national director of Youth Encounter Zimbabwe, and an executive committee member of the Advertising & Publicity Club. He has participated in various key capacities in researches conducted for institutes like World Vision, Unilever SEA, and ARIPO. Caleb Musodza (Patron), – General Manager Sales & Marketing for Schweppes Zimbabwe Limited, is a leader in FMCG marketing strategies in Zimbabwe, has been key in market intelligence for companies like Schweppes and Unilever SEA. At Unilever SEA he was responsible for the market surveys that determined consumer behaviour regarding their products. The Research TeamThe survey and analysis team included Rudo Kaposonore (Administration), Pamela Zigomo (Questionnaire, London), Tafadzwa Muchopa (Questionnaire, Harare), Marylyn Chimombe (Field Project Manager), Idzai Chaduka (Analysis Co-ordinator), Musekiwa Samuriwo (Analysis), Mandy Sibanda (Analysis), Fitzgerald Mujuru (Analysis), and a host of field and analysis volunteers from Youth Encounter, Harvesters in Sport, Scripture Union, churches, and private schools and colleges across the country. Financial SponsorsThis survey would not have been possible without the sponsorship of individuals and institutions such as George Nheweyembwa, Mrs C. Ndlovu, Roselyn Zigomo, Webolutions OS, Cafe Espresso, just to name a few.