3. Electronic Theses and Dissertations (ETDs) - All submissions
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Item Masculinities in relation to male-on-male violence: exploring male perceptions of safety and vulnerability in public spaces(2023) Mveng, Angeline AmomboThis research is concerned with men’s vulnerability to violence victimization. Through viewing their talk as ‘small stories’, discourse analysis was deployed to discover the men’s construction’s regarding safety & threat in public space. Most research concerned with violence and masculinity tends to frame masculinity in terms of being indicative of perpetrating violence. There is scant research which considers male vulnerability to violence inflicted by other males. This has influenced dominating social discourse which fails to acknowledge the vulnerability which men experience in relation to violence. This study interviewed seven black men who reside in South Africa, aged between 23 and 30 years old, querying them on their experience of vulnerability when navigating public space. Affective experiences of anxiety emerged in the men’s constructions of vulnerability and safety in space. The study found that all the men experienced themselves as vulnerable to violent victimization, even though they tended to make invisible their experience of this in their daily livesItem Men's health, masculinities and work : the psychosocial effects of unemployment on black men from Soweto.(2014-09-04) Selebano, NalediThe provider-role continues to be strongly linked to ideas of manhood even in the era where family and work roles have changed. This is mainly because society continues to esteem notions of hegemonic masculinities that reduce men to a single role of providing. Such a discourse is problematic however, especially during the quandary of unemployment that South Africa finds itself. With this in mind, men find themselves battling not only with the stigma arising from their inability to perform manhood (providing) but also with the harsh labour market that refuses them the means to perform this role. As a consequence, men suffer often undiagnosed depression leading to suicide, harmful behaviour and loss of hope for a better future. Through the qualitative research approach, this study adopted the Social Identity Theory, the Eco-systems Approach as well as the Functionalism Theory towards exploring the effects of strong identification with the idea of man as provider on the psychosocial wellbeing of black men during unemployment. Individual interviews were conducted with twenty-two young men aged between 18 and 35 from Soweto as well as three social workers who were previously placed as student social workers with the Ipelegeng Youth Leadership and Development Programme. Through the use of the thematic content analysis, this study found that young men identified with the provider role and therefore participated in informal work under hazardous conditions in order to fulfil this role. Where the men failed to fulfil the provider role, communities often ridiculed and shamed them leading them to feeling stressed and depressed. The study also found that the young men were not utilising psychosocial services; owing to the notions of traditional masculinities; general lack of services and perceived ineffectiveness of programs. This report thus concludes that interventions that are tailored to tackle men’s problems should be developed and be made widely available, being stringently cognisant of contextual cultural dynamics however.Item Reproductive health and denied paternity : the politics of men's fertility.(2014-09-04) Chauke, PoliteIssues of fertility, population growth and birth control are synonymous with women. Therefore, there is a void of the male perspective on issues pertaining to reproductive health. There is a reproductive health discourse, in which bio-psychosocial service such as family planning is woman-based. Whilst on the other hand statistics on absent fathers and contested pregnancies, are reaching millions and thus the effectiveness of these services are questionable. Therefore, men’s health and sexuality requires careful understanding so as to unfold narrations of denied paternity and men’s ‘assumed’ lack of responsibility in questions of contraception. Through in-depth interviews with 14 unmarried men from the townships of Soweto and Kagiso, this research found that contraception is a gendered concept that constructs various experiences for men in how they perceive sexual reproductive health services. It also found that denied paternity and father absences are rooted not only in historical factors but also in feminised conceptions of contraception and how this conception speaks to notions of how responsibility is distributed and withheld. Furthermore, it acknowledges that there are different conceptions of denied paternity and father absence and thus, shapes men’s experiences and expectations of fatherhood. Finally, it argues that masculine sexualities, notions of pleasure and issues of fertility are shaped by sexual socialisation processes; this also links how men transition from boyhood to manhood through circumcision and initiation schools not only as a cultural and religious practice but as a health practice. These narratives were captured through using thematic content analysis in investigating unmarried men’s perceptions of contraceptives and ideas of father absence and denied paternity. This research contributes to the existing knowledge on family and children services, with specific attention to family planning and the provision of services to young men and women regarding reproductive rights and responsibilities.Item Socially developing the man : exploring the perceptions of young, male university students in relation to gender studies.(2014-07-01) Osikhena, Igbanoi LeoThe present study set out to explore how male university students perceive their involvement in gender studies and how this intersects with their masculine identities. The research was a qualitative one and semi-structured individual interviews were used to collect data from ten Humanities postgraduate students attending a large, urban university comprising men who do gender studies and those who do not. Two key informants were also interviewed for the study. Qualitative thematic content analysis was employed to analyse the data collected; these reflected themes that bordered around the men and their identities, gender equality, engagement in gender studies, and changing attitudes towards observable gender transformation. In comparing the responses of both categories of men, an inference made was that, although the men mostly expressed positive attitudes towards engagement in gender studies, there does not seem to be a direct relationship between exposing men to gender studies courses or not, and changes in perception towards gender relations. This was evidenced by the fact that both groups of men predominantly upheld traditional hegemonic ideals of masculinity through displays of complicit, accommodating and defensive masculinities amidst a couple of progressive representations. The study affirms the thesis that masculinity is socially constructed based on the contradictory manner in which the men spoke about their identities. This reaffirms the essentiality of speaking about men in diverse ways and rejecting any notions of singularity. Key words: Gender studies, masculinity, hegemonic masculinity, masculinities, university men, changing attitudesItem Men, masculinities and sexual and reproductive health in Botswana.(2011-04-12) Rakgoasi, Serai DanielThis thesis investigates the role of masculinities on men’s sexual and reproductive health in Botswana. Botswana is currently in the throes of a severe heterosexually driven HIV/AIDS epidemic that has eroded some of the developmental gains the country had achieved since independence. A unique feature of Botswana’s HIV epidemic is the rapid and phenomenal increase in infection and prevalence rates in the face of good levels of knowledge of HIV prevention and an early and comprehensive HIV prevention strategy that guaranteed access to free HIV prevention and treatment services, including ARV treatment. The lack of effectiveness of the country’s HIV efforts and subsequent increase in infection rates have been blamed on men’s risky sexual behavior and lack of support of their partners’ decisions to utilize these services. In fact, quantitative studies on men’s sexual behavior and HIV such as the Botswana AIDS Impact Surveys show that men are less likely to use VCT services and more likely to engage in risky sexual behavior that increases risk of HIV infection to themselves and their partners. While studies provide the evidence that implicates men in the rapid growth Botswana’s HIV epidemic, the studies provide little or no explanation of factors that motivate men’s behavior in reproductive health. This lack of insights on factors that motivate men’s behavior leads to stereotypes about male promiscuity and may contribute to the lack of effectiveness of HIV prevention strategies. The current HIV epidemic has thus thrust heterosexual masculinities at the centre of HIV prevention efforts and provides an opportunity for research to interrogate the role of heterosexual masculinities in reproductive health, especially HIV transmission and prevention. The thesis employs qualitative data to provide in-depth appreciation of the prevalent masculine norms and beliefs and to highlight contextual factors and processes that shape and give rise to various masculinities. It further uses quantitative data to provide measures of levels of men’s masculine and gender role beliefs that may influence HIV prevention and transmission and to test the association between masculinities and men’s sexual and reproductive health attitudes and practices. The results show that men’s sense of identity is socially constructed, and revolves around the notion of superiority to women, independence and having and being in control of the family. However, men face many challenges to the realization of this masculine ideal. Men’s perceived difficulty or failure to live up to socially constructed Men, Masculinities and Sexual and Reproductive Health in Botswana vii notions of masculinities affects their experience of sexual and reproductive health programs, especially women’s empowerment and HIV prevention programs. By their nature, these programs tend to challenge men’s dominance of women’s decision on sexuality, and are therefore experienced as a threat to some men’s sense of identity. Quantitative results indicate an association between masculinities and sexual and reproductive health. While men’s sense of masculinities is not the overriding factor determining their sexual and reproductive health attitudes and practices, the results show a strong association traditional masculine beliefs and negative sexual and reproductive health beliefs and practices. However, there is also strong evidence that men and masculinities are responding to contextual factors, such as the HIV epidemic, which has become a specific stress on the local construction of masculinities. In focus group discussions, many men challenged traditional masculine norms, beliefs and practices that increase their vulnerability to HIV infection and those that either encourage or condone violence within intimate relationships. Significantly high proportions of men had positive attitudes towards HIV prevention programs. It is evident that now more than ever (and thanks to the HIV/AIDS epidemic) many men are ready to question the predominant masculine norms, beliefs and practices that increase their vulnerability to infection and disease. These voices of change represent a window of opportunity for research and programs can meaningfully engage with men and masculinities on issues of sexuality, gender roles, sexual and reproductive health and HIV/AIDS prevention and transmission. There is need for future research and interventions to move away from focusing exclusively on individual models of preventive health behaviors to more multilevel, cultural and contextual explanations. Taking account of multilevel, cultural and contextual factors that shape masculinities and men’s sense of identity will ensure increased effectiveness of sexual and reproductive health programs, especially HIV/AIDS prevention programs. On the other hand, failure to account for cultural and contextual factors that shape individuals’ behavior will only ensure that the shortcomings of such intervention program will continue to be blamed on the individual.Item Investigating constructions of masculinity in men's talk of male rape.(2010-05-28T10:18:39Z) Field, Shelley AnneThe research investigated how men perceive constructions of masculinity in the talk of male rape. Research on gender relations and masculinities is a growing area of interest. The topic of male rape however, remains underrepresented within this. Male rape draws on discourses of gender, trauma, sex, sexuality and violence. It further offers a controversial topic that participants could engage in to further make sense of the multitude of masculine identities that exist, and how these directly influence responses to gendered phenomena. It is therefore likely to elicit significant constructions of masculinities and hence was used as a vehicle to further add insight into the constructed nature of masculinities. This was achieved through the use of a group of thirteen men who were divided into three focus groups. Each focus group made use of a vignette and a semi-structured interview schedule. Through this method the masculine identities that arose in their talk on male rape were examined. Data were analysed using thematic content analysis in which a social constructionist perspective was applied. It was found that participants strongly adhered to a hegemonic masculine point of reference in discussions. The patriarchal nature of this masculine identity that is subordinating of both women and other masculine identities was consistently used in discussions, thus representing the relatively stable influence of hegemony in gendered relations. Subordinated masculinities emerged more subtly, illustrating a growing acceptance of multiple forms of masculine identities. The results were understood as largely representative of broader society that still elevates the constructed standards of hegemony in conceptualising masculinities. This study thus sheds light on the social constructionist nature evident in society that continually influences the connotations attached to gendered identities within it. The significance in considering the masculine influences in responding to male rape lies in the multiplicity of factors that each involves as these collectively shape society's continued gendered understanding in shaping reality. A topic such as male rape, that directly threatens constructed notions of masculinities, thus allows for a new understanding to emerge in its consideration of the masculine identities that arise in responding to this traumatic experience.Item Exploring a group of African male students' talk on gender equality.(2010-03-02T07:53:50Z) Mdanda, Sanele N. I.This research investigated the manner in which a group of African male students perceive and construct gender equality in the work place. A sample of 19 African male students within the University of Witwatersrand student population was used. The participants were aged between 19 and 30 years. This specific age range was chosen on the grounds that most students in this age range would have already formed specific views regarding gender equality. Individual and focus group interviews were the main methods of data collection; both types of interviews were conducted with this varied sample of African male students. The study was qualitative in nature and it employed thematic content analysis as a method of data analysis. Key themes were identified and discussed.The results indicated the contradictory nature of how men understand and accept equality. This was evident in how men tried to curb and undermine the empowerment of women in a manner that helped to advance the agenda of men. The participants used a varied number of strategies to try and argue for male power and control. These strategies were utilised as deemed contextually relevant by the men. This was especially relevant in how men were seen to negotiate their roles within the workplace in a manner that would align or help them be seen to be in favour of equal opportunities in the workplace yet in private and within their homes they were seemingly against the whole notion altogether.Item Professional men's expressions of their masculine identity.(2009-06-18T08:50:13Z) Jooste, JulianThis research explored how white professional men talk about masculinities and their own masculine construction. The study was qualitative in nature and the data was collected via 10 semi-structured individual interviews. Qualitative content analysis was utilized whereby key themes were identified and discussed. Men in relation to self identity, women, emotions, the work environment, and the changing social context reflected the key themes that were evident in the study. These themes explored men in relation to a variety of issues and thus highlighted the multitude of influences which are thought to impact on masculine identity. Various responses from the participants based on defensive, accommodating, and progressive discourses were evident throughout and this further illustrated the diverse and complex nature of masculinities. One of the most relevant conclusions to stem from this study was that although masculine representation seems to be changing in particular spheres, certain hegemonic aspects of masculinity seem to permeate professional men’s discourses. This research highlights and explores the multiplicity of masculine and refutes the notion of masculinity being a singularly fixed concept. The social construction of masculinity is thus affirmed. Various contesting viewpoints are elicited that indicate the complex and, at times, contradictory nature of masculine construction.Item An exploration of men's subjective experiences of their violence toward their intimate partners.(2008-12-22T07:45:02Z) Lau, UrsulaThe research served a dual purpose: (i) to explore men’s subjective experiences of their violence toward their intimate partners and, (ii) to examine how men talk about their violence in an attempt to establish credibility in their accounts. The first emphasised the subjective and emotional bases of individual experience and the second contextualised these descriptions within a broader societal framework. Highlighting the shortcomings of a quantitative research paradigm, the research utilised a qualitative framework which privileged first-person descriptions as the primary sources of subjective meaning. Although oriented toward a phenomenological approach, the research drew upon elements of psychoanalysis and discursive psychology. Twelve men were recruited from three organisations in Johannesburg. Via in-depth semi-structured interviews, men’s most vivid incident(s) of violence were explored. Thematic analysis revealed two levels of meaning: men’s descriptions of their violence (narrative content) and, processes by which they talked about their violence (narrative form). On the subjective dimension, seemingly contradictory experiences of violence were evident, clustering around five central themes: (i) violence as ‘being out of control’, (ii) violence as ‘having control’ over another, (iii) the continuum of love and violence, (iv) violence versus emotionality and (v) the violent self as ‘not me’. In feminist-psychoanalytic terms, men’s emotional dependence on their partners was denied or repressed. Violence represented a negation or devaluation of the feminine where male vulnerability and powerlessness, once exposed, became intolerable to bear. The ability to integrate and tolerate contradictory aspects of self (i.e. ‘emotional’ and ‘rational’) was a decisive step towards healing and becoming the ‘changed man’. On the discursive level, through ‘talk’, men negotiated an identity of ‘changed man’ that provided distance from the ‘violent self’. Attention to the narrative as a persuasive tool revealed ways in which the men attempted to establish credibility in their accounts of violence – achieved by socially positioning themselves in relation to their violence, agreeing to talk and employing impression management ‘strategies’, such as dissociations, justifications and confessions. Reconciling the two levels of analyses, the tension between dominant gendered discourses on masculinity that men relied on (i.e. that which fosters masculine ‘toughness’, whilst diminishing ‘weakness’ or emotionality), and the psychological interior of their actual experiences was evident. A ‘multiplicity approach’ that accords significance to both societal constructions of gender and their impact on men’s behaviour, whilst giving expression to the psychological reality of men’s experiences could prove beneficial in fostering change.Item Masculinities in Ousmane Sembene's God's bits of wood(2006-11-13T11:44:27Z) Mooka, EdwardThis study explores the forms of masculinity which occur in a crisis situation as represented in Sembene Ousmane’s colonial text God’s Bits of Wood. The study relies on the theories of Robert Connell, Judith Butler, Judith Halberstam, and Ifi Amadiume amongst others in identifying the masculinities in the novel. The introduction discusses issues of masculinity and looks at how different types of masculinity have been defined, especially in relation to power. Chapter one focuses on the white hegemonic masculinities. Chapter two looks at black workers’ masculinities which were marked by opposition, complicity, and cowardice. The third chapter analyses the female masculinities and the violent boyhood masculinity that were forged during the crisis. The conclusion summarizes the arguments in the preceding chapters and indicates how Sembene Ousmane’s novel dispels certain stereotypes of black masculinity.