Cross generation sex isn’t entirely bad

Feb 10, 2008

CROSS-generation sex has been defined as sexual relationship in which one person is significantly older than the other. In Uganda, it is when a mature man commonly known as “sugar daddy” entices a young girl into sexual relationship with her, mainly using money.

Dennis Asinga

CROSS-generation sex has been defined as sexual relationship in which one person is significantly older than the other. In Uganda, it is when a mature man commonly known as “sugar daddy” entices a young girl into sexual relationship with her, mainly using money.

Consequently, some of the girls have contracted HIV or got unwanted pregnancies. Most sugar daddies are interested in sexual exploitation and not unwanted pregnancies, hence the girls have to abort or become single mothers.

However, does cross-generation sex undermine the free consent of a girl who is above 18 years of age? What if the relationship leads to marriage? If a man of 45 years is in a relationship with a girl of 20 years, with the ultimate goal that they should marry, will it amount to cross generation sex?

Article 31 of the Constitution provides that men and women of the age of 18 years and above have the right to marry with the free consent of both parties.
Furthermore, does cross-generation sex only apply to old men sexually exploiting young girls, and not vice versa? Even the adverts on billboards and TV are only protecting the girl child.

Are there no cases of older women having relationships with young men?
The lonely hearts column in the print media are awash with young men of 21 years searching for sugar mummies of 45 years and above to support them in education.

There are also cases of girls of 22 years searching for sugar daddies to support them financially. Some youth, especially girls, are in such relationship because of circumstances. It is likely that some of them want to make ends meet and the major driving force is education.
The trends have changed. We are witnessing more people who marry after their second degree.

Because job security is no longer guaranteed, men take longer to form families. Biologically, women tend to age faster than the men.

Thus, if a man of 45 years married a woman of the same age, chances of bearing children would be low.
It is right, therefore, to label cross generation sex bad?

The writer is a Law student at Makerere University

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