Transitions into Sex, Parenthood and Unions among Adolescents and Young Adults in South Africa

Ann E. Biddlecom, Alan Guttmacher Institute
Anne Bakilana, University of Cape Town

The purpose of this paper is to describe the timing, density and sequencing of transitions for adolescent and young adult females and males in South Africa into sexual activity, pregnancy, parenting, unions, and school leaving. Analyses draw on detailed life history calendar data from a representative sample in 2002 of 4,359 14 to 22 year olds living in Cape Town, South Africa, a city in the third largest metropolitan area of South Africa. We use survival analysis techniques to measure median age at first sex, first pregnancy, first birth and first union for males and females. Data from the 1998 South African Demographic and Health Survey are used to compare patterns to young adults in South Africa overall. We then describe the density, sequencing and prevalence of “normative” transition sequences for young adults in Cape Town, South Africa.