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Appraisal of the Proclivity of Kenyan Secondary School Girls to Procure Abortion in Light of Value of Human Life

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Appraisal of the Proclivity of Kenyan Secondary School Girls to Procure Abortion in Light of Value of Human Life APPRAISAL OF THE PROCLIVITY OF KENYAN SECONDARY SCHOOL GIRLS TO PROCURE ABORTION IN LIGHT OF VALUE OF HUMAN LIFE AKELLO S. B. IMMACULATE E55/CE/24240/2012 A THESIS SUBMITTED IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE AWARD OF THE DEGREE OF MASTER OF EDUCATION (PHILOSOPHY OF EDUCATION) IN THE SCHOOL OF EDUCATION, KENYATTA UNIVERSITY FEBRUARY, 2019 ii DECLARATION I declare that this thesis is my original work and has not been presented in any other university for consideration. This thesis has been complemented by referenced sources duly acknowledged. Where texts, data- including the spoken words -have been borrowed from other sources including internet, these are specifically accredited and references cited in accordance with anti-plagiarism regulations. Signature………………………………………Date…………………………………… …… Akello S.B. Immaculate E55/CE/24240/2012 Department of Educational foundations SUPERVISORS We confirm that the work reported in this thesis was carried out by the candidate under our supervision as supervisors. Signature……………………………………….Date…………………………………… ………… Dr. Ogeno Jackton Department of Educational Foundations Signature………………………………………..Date…………………………………… ……...... Dr. Fr. Murira Francis Department of Educational Foundations iii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I would like to thank the Almighty God who has brought me this far and granted me the favour to make this thesis a success. I would also like to express my sincere gratitude to my supervisors: Dr. Jackton Ogeno and Fr. Francis Murira for their insightful comments, encouragement, patience, motivation, immense knowledge and guidance in writing this thesis. Their hard questions, valuable suggestions and perspective criticism kept me working to better this thesis. Working under their supervision was a very knowledgeable experience for me. Last but not least, I thank my family for their patience and moral support during the preparation of this thesis. My sincere gratitude go to my mother and siblings for their constant encouragement and love. I particularly thank my husband, Mr. Okumu for his patience throughout the long period of writing this thesis. To my little girl, Alaine Wema, thank you for waiting. May God bless you. iv DEDICATION To my dear mom, Mary Munda Odwodi, for the confidence you have in me and for giving your all towards my education. To the teenage mothers who stood ridicule, stigma and societal pressure to carry their pregnancies to term in an environment where abortion is the order of the day. v TABLE OF CONTENTS DECLARATION ............................................................................................................ ii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS .......................................................................................... iii DEDICATION ............................................................................................................... iv TABLE OF CONTENTS ............................................................................................... v LIST OF ACRONYMS ................................................................................................. ix ABSTRACT .................................................................................................................... x CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION ........................................................................... 1 1.1Background to the Study .......................................................................................... 1 1.2 Statement of the Problem ........................................................................................ 5 1.3 Purpose of the Study ................................................................................................ 6 1.4 Objectives of the Study ........................................................................................... 6 1.5 Research Questions ................................................................................................. 6 1.6 Significance of the Study ......................................................................................... 7 1.7 Limitations of the Study .......................................................................................... 7 1.8 Delimitations ........................................................................................................... 8 1.9 Assumptions of the Study ........................................................................................ 8 1.10 Theoretical Framework ......................................................................................... 8 1.12 Conceptual Framework ....................................................................................... 12 1.13 Operational Definition of Terms ......................................................................... 14 CHAPTER TWO: REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE ................................ 15 2.1 Introduction ........................................................................................................... 15 2.2 The Phenomenon of Abortion ............................................................................... 15 2.3 The Value of Human Life ...................................................................................... 16 2.4 Factors Associated With Abortion among Secondary School Girls in Kenya ...... 19 2.5 Research Gaps ....................................................................................................... 20 CHAPTER THREE: METHODOLOGY .................................................................. 22 vi 3.1 Introduction ........................................................................................................... 22 3.1.2 The Conceptual Analysis .................................................................................... 22 3.1.3 The Historical Development of Conceptual Analysis ........................................ 23 3.1.4 Strengths of Conceptual Analysis ...................................................................... 25 3.1.5 Application of Conceptual Analysis in the Study .............................................. 25 3.2 Phenomenological Analysis .................................................................................. 26 3.2.1 Historical Development of Phenomenological Analysis .................................... 26 3.2.2 Strengths of the Phenomenological Analysis ..................................................... 27 3.2.3 Application of Phenomenological Analysis to the Study ................................... 28 3.3 Logical and Ethical Considerations ....................................................................... 29 CHAPTER FOUR: ABORTION IN PERSPECTIVE .............................................. 31 4.1 Introduction ........................................................................................................... 31 4.2 Perceptions of Abortion ......................................................................................... 32 4.3 Proclivity to Abortion ............................................................................................ 35 4.3.1 Desire to Complete Secondary Schooling .......................................................... 35 4.3.2 Social Isolation ................................................................................................... 37 4.3.3 Poverty ................................................................................................................ 39 4.3.4. Peer Pressure ..................................................................................................... 41 4.3.5 Parental Pressure ................................................................................................ 43 4.4 Abortion and the Beginning of Human Life .......................................................... 48 4.4.1. Scientific View on the Beginning of Human Life ............................................. 49 4.4.2 Legal View on the Beginning of Human Life .................................................... 50 4.4.3Religious Views on the Beginning of Human Life ............................................. 51 4.5 Abortion and Personhood of the Foetus ................................................................ 52 4.6 Abortion and the Value of Human Life ................................................................. 57 4.6.1. Intrinsic Value of Human Life .......................................................................... 57 4.6.2 Innate Human Dignity ........................................................................................ 59 4.6.3. Sanctity of Human Life ..................................................................................... 60 4.6.4 Right to Life ....................................................................................................... 61 4.7 An Analysis of Abortion in the Light of Value of Human Life ............................ 62 vii 4.8 Summary ................................................................................................................ 66 CHAPTER FIVE: TOWARDS VIABLE RESPONSE TO THE CHALLENGE OF ABORTION IN KENYA ............................................................................................. 67 5.1 Introduction ........................................................................................................... 67 5.2 Effects of Pregnancy among Secondary School Girls in Kenya ........................... 67 5.2.1 Medical Complications ....................................................................................... 67 5.2.2 Emotional Crisis ................................................................................................
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