Multiple and Concurrent Sexual Partnerships among Mozambican Women from High Socio-Economic Status and with High Education Degrees: Involvement Motives

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to discover the motives why certain Mozambican women from high socio-economic status and with high educational level involve in multiple and concurrent sexual partnerships (MCP). Using convenience sampling method, 28 women living in the two Mozambican main cities (Maputo and Beira) were selected to participate in the study and in-depth interviewed. According to the main themes emerged from the participant speeches, it seems that the women of the Mozambican higher society engage in MCP in the framework of power and influence issues that allow them to get help or facilitate the achievement of their business or the development of their professional career. The research also found that one of the reasons for this practice was the lack of sexual pleasure in the marital relationship because their partners do not provide pleasure or give pleasure below their expectations. Another motive for engaging in MCP is a reaction to male domination and male infidelity, a will to transgress the established order and claim a kind of emancipation. Doing that, the participants appear to neglect their biological risk of HIV infection rather to rich their aspirations or maximize their “social capital”.