Abstract:
For many young women, life can be an overwhelming, stressful and challenging
experience. The increase in the cost of living and high costs of education places a
huge financial burden on the parents of these young women especially those who
are financially insecure and who have unfortunately not been awarded bursaries or
student loans. Many have to find means of income in order to fund their studies
and/or eke out a living. Older men who are wealthy have been found to take
advantage of these realities and they seek out young women who are struggling
financially and “bless” them by providing for their financial needs. Some older men
even go beyond these offerings and lavish the young women with other luxury items.
Young women see these men as caring and loving and also as a practical escape
from financial burdens they face. The older men, called “blessers’”, seek return on
their blessings and this is often in the form of sexual favours. The young women are
expected to satisfy the sexual desires of their blessers, often at great personal cost
and endless sacrifices. This exposes young women to sexual exploitation and
abuse.
This research seeks to gain a better understanding of the phenomenon and why
women engage in these relationships and why some remain in these relationships.
It also seeks to create awareness of the dangers of these relationships within the
context of the church and to empower young women with a healthy sense of selfworth
and value in order to make safer and informed life decisions and to pastorally
care for those who have experienced trauma. As a result of the understanding
gained through narrative approach, the researcher seeks to begin the process of
developing a pastoral care and healing methodology/intervention method.
