Suala la Uhusiano Wa Kimahaba na Mimba za Utotoni Katika Hadithi Fupi Teule za Kiswahili

Abstract

The role of Kiswahili literature in the contemporary world cannot be underestimated. This is because literature is a mirror to the society that portrays various issues that take place in the wider society. Literature can be used to praise or condemn an act in the community. This research focused on a trending issue that violates children’s rights hence affecting children of school going age. The researcher focused on premature relationships and teenage pregnancies as depicted in selected Kiswahili literary works, that is; Selected short stories in Damu Nyeusi na Hadithi Nyingine (2007), Kurudi Nyumbani na Hadithi Nyingine (2007), Alidhani Kapata na Hadithi Nyingine (2007) and Tumbo Lisiloshiba na Hadithi Nyingine (2016). This research evaluated the causes, effects and solutions to premature relationships and teenage pregnancies among children with reference to the selected Kiswahili literary works. The objectives of this research were; to evaluate the causes of premature relationships and teenage pregnancies with reference to the selected literary texts, to evaluate the effects of premature relationships and teenage pregnancies with reference to the chosen Kiswahili literary work and to discuss the philosophy of the writers of the selected literary works concerning the solution to premature relationships and teenage pregnancies. This research was guided by Reader’s Response Theory that aims at identifying and explaining occurences that makes a reader interact with a certain literary work. The main founders of this theory include; Wolfgang Iser (1974,1978), Stanley Fish (1980) and James Tompkins (1980). The research data was collected through reading the selected Kiswahili literary works and analysing it through explanations guided by the objectives of the research. The researcher read all the selected stories and extracted words and texts about premature relationships and teenage pregnancies. The researcher looked at the causes of premature relationships and teenage pregnancies, effects of premature relationships and teenage pregnancies and solutions to premature relationships and teenage pregnancies.The findings of this research will benefit the literary field by informing the masses on the importance of Kiswahili literature to the society. It will as well benefit literary writers by informing them on the emerging issues and trending issues in the society. The research will also benefit the people concerned with children’s rights on the importance of Kiswahili literature in dealing with the issue of premature relationships and teenage pregnancies in Kenya and the rest of the world.