Analysis of Roman Catholic Church Doctrine on Contraception and Sexual Morality of the Youth in Bungoma County, Kenya

Contraception among youth has become a common phenomenon in contemporary society, creating significant challenges for the Roman Catholic Church which prohibits artificial contraceptive methods. This study analyzes the Roman Catholic Church’s doctrine on contraception and its implications for the sexual morality of youth in Bungoma County, Kenya. Using socio-cultural evolution theory as a framework, the research specifically evaluates the Church’s doctrine on contraceptives, assesses its involvement in sex education among youth, and identifies challenges youth face in adhering to Church doctrine. The study employs a descriptive survey design with a sample of 138 respondents selected through simple random sampling from an estimated population of 3,000 registered Roman Catholic youth across 25 parishes in Bungoma County. Data was collected using questionnaires and interview schedules, then analyzed through both quantitative and qualitative methods. Findings reveal a significant gap between youth awareness and comprehensive understanding of Church doctrine, with most reporting awareness but only some demonstrating thorough understanding of theological foundations. While Church sex education programs emphasize abstinence and moral aspects of sexuality. Only a few youths participates in education programs regularly, and some report current or past contraceptive use despite Church prohibition. Youth identify multiple challenges to adherence including educational aspirations, economic concerns, relationship dynamics, and competing value systems that create complex decision-making contexts. The study concludes that effective influence of Church doctrine requires integrated approaches addressing all three dimensions: enhanced theological education explaining not only what the Church teaches but why; improved sex education combining moral frameworks with practical skills; and pastoral approaches acknowledging the concrete challenges youth face in contemporary contexts. These findings challenge the Roman Catholic Church to develop more contextually sensitive approaches to sexual morality education while maintaining doctrinal integrity. The church should consider sexual decisions within broader values and cultivate integrated sexual ethics rather than compartmentalized decisions.