This book draws on an extraordinarily large and representative qualitative study to examine the variety of young people's sexual relationships and practices in a region typical of rural Africa. It describes how contradictory social ideals and expectations led to concealment of premarital and extramarital relationships. It then examines how this secrecy, combined with poor understanding of HIV/AIDS and the common practice of material exchange for sex, contributed to short relationships, fast partner change, concurrent partnerships, and related sexual health risks.

Chapter 1: Introduction Chapter 2: Research Methods Chapter 3: Village Life Chapter 4: Children's Relationships with Parents, Peers and Teachers Chapter 5: Contradictory Sexual Norms and Expectations Case Study Series 1: "We'll Have Sex Again When the Opportunity Arises": Typical Young People's Lives and Premarital Sexual Relationships Chapter 6: Unmarried Young People's Sexual Relationships Chapter 7: Sexual Negotiation, Exchange, and Coercion Chapter 8: Sexual Practices Case Study Series 2: "He told me, 'Just come and live at my home'": Typical Young People's Experience of Marriage and Divorce Chapter 9: Married Young People's Sexual Relationships Chapter 10: Contraception, Abortion, and Fertility Chapter 11: HIV/AIDS and Other Sexually Transmitted Infections Case Study Series 3: "The Fever Went Away But Always Returned": HIV-Positive Young People's Lives and Sexual Relationships Chapter 12: Barriers and Facilitators of Sexual Risk Reduction