| dc.description.abstract | This study focuses on the contemporary value of chastity on family among Seventhday Adventist [SDA] faithful in Nyamira County, Kenya. Sexual values such as chastity are societal moral standards, considered crucial in issues related to sexual behaviour and maintaining family stability. Some traditional societies value virginity and reward a girl who preserves it until marriage, and remain faithful after marriage, as men are expected to uphold self-discipline. Similarly, Christian communities are expected to live sexual scriptural principles. Each community deals with chastity issues in form of taboos and punishments for deviants. The value of chastity afforded lot of weight both in traditional and Christian realms as proven in this study has lost the credential it deserves in contemporary culture. Studies reveal failure to observe principal sexual values, has affected a great number of families globally and locally. This has led to devastating consequences on family unit including; HIV & Aids, early pregnancies, separation and divorce. Modern moral liberalism has left conventional family of man and woman an overwhelmed institution, with lot of upheavals. The core concern is value of chastity noteworthy for family stability and regulation of sexual conducts is not regarded even among some SDA adherents. This necessitated this survey to assess SDA responses to contemporary value of chastity on family. The study determines value of chastity on family institution amid SDA faithful in Nyamira at technological era. The study evaluates ways SDAs respond to indicators of contemporary value of chastity on family, analyses influence of technology on value of chastity among SDA faithful and explores SDAs faithful conceptualization on changing value of chastity in Nyamira. The survey adopts Utilitarian Ethical Theory propounded by Bentham and expounded by Mill because it suites the concept studied which is equally an ethical issue. It is assumed moral lax aggravated by technological influence is set back in observing value of chastity. The study has employed quantitative and qualitative research methods within a descriptive survey approach. The Sample was obtained through both purposive and cluster random sampling from population of 144,507 of SDA adherents in Nyamira conference within Nyamira. The sample size was 384 of which 375 lay members responded to questionnaires and 9 purposively selected leaders were interviewed. Questionnaires, interview schedules, and Focus Group Discussions [FGDs] were used in data assemblage. Reliability and validity of research instruments was determined through pilot study. Descriptive statistics was utilized for analysis of quantitative data whereas theme analysis for qualitative data. Findings depicts, SDAs faithful were not silent towards curbing challenges interlinked with nonconformity to value of chastity in modernity, but not to anticipations because sexual ills are reportedly rampant. The study also reveals technology has great influence on value of chastity. The situation was threatening to SDA family, and adherents continued to condemn evils related to defiance of chastity. However, they have no option other than accommodating certain related changes in transformed society. Given the future of the society is determined by stability of family unit, recommendations of study would help policy makers construct a culture on sexual value and lastly advance the field of sexual ethics within Christian family and entire society. It was therefore found necessary to preserve traditional and Christian tenets allied with chastity to help regulate societal moral standards for viable family. The study suggests for further and intensive study by interested scholars and Christian
bodies on the same concept within and beyond the Christian community in Kenya to
establish ideal approaches to curb contemporary value of chastity. | en_US |
