Acquisition, modalities of usage, and domestication of mobile phones in the cultural context of Haiti: The case of high school students

Abstract

In the last few years, the use of mobile telephony has become increasingly popular amongst various social and age groups around the world. Out of a need to understand this phenomenon, scholars have conducted a number of studies on the use of mobile phones and their characteristics such as mobility and accessibility. Few of these studies however, have focused their attention on this phenomenon in less developed countries. This thesis examines the key dimensions associated with the motivations and social implications of the use of mobile phones in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, by high school students. I specifically address the relationship between the motivational factors that lead to the purchase and use of mobile phones as well as the implications for interpersonal relationships and the social structure. I used the Domestication model (Silverstone and Haddon, 1996) along with the notions of 'context', 'rappropriation' and 'revelation' to answer the main research questions and attain the objectives of the study. The overall research findings of this thesis are based on data collected via questionnaire, interviews, and observations held in public places during a two-month field study in Port-au-Prince. The data analysis reveals several findings; the participants' main motives for acquiring and using mobile phones are to provide a sense of security in emergency situations, as a means to communicate with friends and family members and as a symbol to display their status. Keywords. Less developed countries, mobile phone, mobility, immediacy, domestication, motivation, interpersonal relationships, culture, rappropriation.