The negotiation of masculinity by young, male peer counselors
Date
2008-06-24T06:20:08Z
Authors
Davies, Nicholas Charles Christopher
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Abstract
This study was directed at exploring the personal constructions of young males who had self
selected as peer counselors, of what it means to be a man in South Africa at this time in history.
One of the goals identified was to highlight and examine both hegemonic and alternative versions
of masculinity and, in particular, to examine how young men position themselves in relation to
these constructions. In order to investigate the research question, ten adolescents/young men
participated in focus group discussions on the topic of masculinity. The participants included 8
school boys, 5 white and 3 black, attending a private, all boys school, as well as 2 black
university students. All participants had self selected as peer counselors. The study is located in
the qualitative research tradition which allows for depth of description and interpretation. The
three focus group discussions held (two at the boys school with 4 participants in each, and one at
the university) were recorded and transcribed verbatim. These transcripts were then subject to a
critical thematic content analysis. The main themes were identified and the four themes which
emerged as dominant in the conversation and occurred most regularly across all three groups are
analyzed and discussed. These themes are emotional stoicism, normative heterosexuality,
gendered division of labour and displayed toughness. Under each theme material supporting
hegemonic constructions of masculinity and material supporting alternative constructions of
masculinity is discussed as a separate sub-theme. The impact of the role as peer counselor on
participants constructions of masculinity is also discussed. A brief meta-theoretical discourse
analytic commentary is also provided, addressing for example, strategies employed by
participants to maintain their sense of masculinity in the discussions. This study highlights the
fluidity and plurality of masculinity as well as the struggle of adolescent boys and young men as
they engage with where and how to position themselves as masculine. A main finding or
observation is that some degree of alternative masculinity will be countenanced provided there is
evidence of an acceptable baseline of hegemonic or traditional masculinity in a boy or man.
Description
Keywords
Masculinity, Gender identity