Sexual Tontines Among School-Going Adolescents in Abidjan: Modern Rite of Passage and/or Sexual Perversion?

In recent years, the Ivorian school system has been confronted with a troubling phenomenon that tarnishes the image of the educational system: the sexual tontine. This unhealthy and socially deviant practice has emerged among students, gaining momentum and gradually eroding moral values within schools. The sexual tontine is characterized by an organized behavior among groups of adolescents who regularly pool funds, estimated at around 2,000 FCFA per day per individual, into a common fund. In turn, each group member uses the collected money to pay for sexual relations with girls, typically in a hotel, a furnished residence, or any other location of their choice. Faced with this phenomenon, we undertook a study in several schools to better understand its mechanisms and implications. The objective of this research is to analyze whether the sexual tontines practiced among school-aged adolescents in Abidjan represent a new form of rite of passage or whether they constitute a manifestation of sexual perversion. This study is based on a sample of six adolescents, aged 16 to 18. To achieve this objective, a qualitative methodology was adopted, utilizing semi-structured interviews to gather the necessary data. These data were then analyzed using a content analysis approach, allowing us to identify the main trends and dynamics at play. The results of the study show that sexual tontines play a significant role as a rite of passage among school-aged adolescents in Abidjan. They serve as a mechanism for integration within social groups, facilitating the recognition and belonging of young people through participation in collective and ritualized sexual activities. By allowing adolescents to assert themselves and validate their status within the group, these practices reflect social integration processes and identity formation characteristic of traditional rites of passage. Keywords: Sexual Tontines, Adolescence, Rites Of Passage, Sexual Perversion