3. Electronic Theses and Dissertations (ETDs) - All submissions
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Item Understanding love and intimacy through the constructions of young gay men(2017) Prado-Castro, Daniela MariaIntimacy and romantic love are influenced by the social context in which patterns of intimacy and attachment are learned, experienced or expressed. The social context is interlinked with culture, and sexuality. The study of masculinity has a strong link with gender as it unpacks a particular gendered identity. The current study aimed at unpacking the understanding of intimacy and romantic love amongst young gay men. This research examined data collected from three focus group discussions with a total of nine young gay men between the ages of 19 and 29 years. The participants were located through purposive and snowball sampling. The information gathered during the focus group discussions was analysed using thematic content analysis. Using critical masculinity theory, this research explores the different definitions of intimacy, the relation between the social space or the location and the expression of intimacy, and the intersections of homosexuality and intimacy. In addition, the need for alternative representations of homosexuality were identified, namely the need for new depictions of homosexuality in the media. The results of the study indicated two distinct patterns in relation with the expression of intimacy amongst gay men. Firstly, participants attempted to replicate hegemonic masculinity in their intimate and romantic relationships. Secondly, there is a strong desire to break away from hegemonic masculinity and construct new ways of expressing their homosexual identity, their masculinity and, in turn, intimacy. Finally, the research concludes by highlighting that intimacy amongst gay men is directly influenced by developmental patterns of masculinity in society that intersect with socio-economic status, race and culture, and gender.Item Young men's accounts of living with oculocutaneous albinism in relation to identity and masculinity(2018) Van der Walt, James AlexanderThe current research arose from a particular interest in the ways in which different subgroups of men form and navigate their male identities and their masculinities. The decision to focus on the experiences of men living with oculocutaneous albinism stemmed from two inter-related premises: firstly, there is a dearth of research around this particular minority group; and secondly, there has been a call for the life experiences of this particular population to receive greater attention and understanding. Four participants were interviewed using a semi-structured interview schedule. The transcribed data gathered from these interviews was subject to a computer-aided thematic analysis. The findings of the current research suggest that the experiences of being stigmatized due to oculocutaneous albinism were highly injurious to the participants and lead them to internalize a strong sense of shame. This in turn affected the ways in which the participants experienced themselves in the world and interacted with others relationally, including in relation to friendships and more intimate partnerships. All of the participants feared that their albinism would make them less desirable to prospective life partners and were concerned that close others might be stigmatized by association with them. Their experiences appeared to influence the participants’ positioning of themselves in relation to other men and were also implicated in the complex nature of their racial identity. Participants demonstrated a capacity to be reflective about their life experiences and about the responses of others towards them in respect of their condition.Item Masculinity in Muslim media: a case study of Radio Islam(2018) Dadi Patel, AaishaThis project examines the ways in which Radio Islam, a South African community radio station, constructs masculinity in the South African Indian Muslim community. This community is its largest audience. The radio station is strongly influenced by the ideologies and rulings of the Jamiatul Ulama, an ideological body whose teachings stem from Indo-Pak interpretations of Islam and with whom much of the South African Indian Muslim community align themselves. The conflation of this culture and religion in this context results in patriarchal and misogynistic teachings being repeated by this body without much questioning, resulting in the common upliftment of men and confinement of women in the community to certain roles and spaces only. Through the examination and discourse analysis of broadcasted content on Radio Islam in three categories that have many gendered dynamics to them - hijab, marriage, and Ramadan - this study aims to unpack the way in which masculinity is constructed, and the extents to which these constructions then facilitate the entrenchment of patriarchy in the broader South African Muslim community.Item The perceptions and experiences of employed fathers on paternity leave(2017) Tladi, NkataneThe South African workforce has been transforming over centuries. Post -1994 South Africa brought about liberal changes in labour laws and policies, which saw women getting a four months maternity leave but there was a shortfall when it came to fathers in the workplace. The laws are mute about the father’s time off during birth of the child; the only provision made is the three days family responsibility leave. The purpose of this research was to explore the perceptions and experiences of fathers with regard to the absence of paternity leave in the legislation and their experiences in early child care with new-borns. The study used a qualitative strategy and a case study design to better understand the perceptions and experiences of employed fathers. A purposive and convenience sampling procedure were used, with a sample of 15 fathers with reproductive age ranging from 25 to 55. The fathers that were interviewed came from three different companies, where a semi structured interview was employed to collect data. Data was analysed using thematic analysis that allowed the researcher to identify the recurring themes. The findings of the study demonstrated a need for paternity leave to allow fathers to be involved with their new-borns. Various factors that came up during the analysis include bonding, the helper and supportive partner, and emotionally absent. These factors contributed to an emphasised need for paternity leave as participants narrated their experiences and challenges. With the implementation of paternity leave participants felt that ten days of leave provision in South Africa would be the first steps to moving towards gender equality in the workplace and strict measures need to be put in place to ensure that fathers do not misuse the paternity leave. The study recommends further research to be conducted on the mother’s perspective on paternity leave. It is also anticipated that the result may support the amendment of Basic Conditions of Employment Act, or develop progressive policy which can equally cater for both men and women in equal terms. Keywords: Basic Conditions of Employment Act, Paternity leave, Fatherhood, Family.Item Exploring the perceptions of male student activists in relation to gender transformation and equality: the case of Wits(2017) Nyaose, ThandazileThis research report explores how male Wits university students, who are actively involved in SASCO, a student organisation that advocates for amongst other things, none sexist society, perceive gender transformation and equality. The research approach utilised was qualitative and exploratory in nature with a broad aim of explaining the perceptions of the male students. Informal interaction and semi-structured individual interviews were conducted with ten male student activists and a key informant as methods of data collection. The data, in the form of interview transcripts was than analysed using the IPA approach. Although the participant’s perceptions of gender transformation and equality varied, it was evident, however, that all of the participants agreed that women have been previously and currently disadvantaged in society. The main findings that show the concepts of gender transformation and equality are much more digestible on paper and policies but difficult to implement. It becomes unreasonable to aspect individuals when they get into institutions of higher learning to now unlearn patriarchy and disown patriarchal privileges and benefits that they have enjoyed for most of the lives. The introduction of sustainable gender transformation and equality needs a complete overhaul of gendered societies and societal injustices. Gender injustices should be afforded the same attention that is given to economic inequalities, access to education and political instabilities.Item “This is how real men do things you know.” Perpetrators perceptions of Intimate partner violence.(2017) Turton, NatashaIntimate Partner Violence (IPV) is a pervasive problem affecting many women in South Africa and worldwide. Due to the many consequences that victims of IPV experience, it is increasingly seen as a public health concern. Despite interventions targeted at reducing the rates of IPV, it still remains prevalent in South African communities. Research has mainly explored IPV from the victims’ perspective and only in recent years has there been a marked interest in perpetrators of IPV. This study explores an identified gap in literature which examines the experiences and actions of male perpetrators of IPV. In-depth interviews were conducted with five men who were a part of a perpetrator reintegration programme at a Non-Governmental Organisation in Johannesburg. The data was analysed using Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis in an attempt to better understand their reported individual experiences. The study found that there was little consensus amongst perpetrators of IPV regarding the nature and causes of violence. IPV is normalised by many perpetrators. It is embedded in a context of patriarchy which emphasizes male dominance over the household, the finances and the women and children. Men and women are socialized into the context of patriarchy. Through the research, it was found that perpetrators view their actions as a response to something their partner did wrong or did not do, thus the act is seen as justified, the use of blame and minimization of the act were common responses when asked about experiences of IPV. Traditional customs such as Lobola allowed men to believe that they owned their wives, and through this had dominance and control over the relationship. This was viewed by participants as a right to discipline and punish one’s partner.Item "Indoda" in the dawn of the HIV/AIDS epidemic: a study of masculine ideals, behaviors and practices among black heterosexual men living with HIV(2017) Mthombeni, Nomaswazi MandisaFollowing a qualitative approach and using diaries and the anthropological tool of ethnography, the study engaged black heterosexual men living with HIV to explore and describe their masculine ideals, values and behaviors in the dawn of the HIV epidemic. The findings revealed that the fabric that made “Indoda” varied and changed over time but to be Indoda , a man had to have one’s own family and consequently be the head of the family “Intloko yo Muzi”.Indoda was also detailed as someone who was “iQhawe”,a warrior who fought many battles of invulnerability and endured hardships. The findings suggested that although participants strove to attain these specifications, they were also restricted and burdened by them; especially those who were under varying degrees of pressure as a result of the different social, economic and political transitions that were taking place. HIV was seen as a threat to the constructions of hegemonic masculine ideals and thus exposed a budding crisis of masculinity that men in this context were confronted with. While HIV seemed to alter ones identity for some of the participants, other participants revealed that HIV did not change their lives in anyway. Among these participants, multiple relationships with ‘roll ons’; secrets and low condom use were rife. The other group of men who differentiated themselves from those who were HIV negative challenged the dominant notions of masculinities and reconstructed their masculinities in more positive ways. In this way, these men inhabited a subjective position of agency by taking control of their lives and accepting and driving their Z3. The study concluded that masculine norms behaviors and values are fluid and it is through continuously engaging in critical examination of the discourses that construct masculinity that new constructions of what it means to be a man can emerge.Item The challenge of the black middle-class men in negotiating the elusive masculine identities(2017) Nkosi, Thokozani SamuelThe study investigated the challenges that black middle class men experience in negotiating the masculine identities within the South African context. The adopted understanding was that of Connell in that there are many ways of being a man. The findings were that men are given a standard or expectations to live by but there are never guided on how to go about meeting them. This was portrayed by the interwoven themes and discourse that in some instances work against each other and render the black middle class men vulnerable in terms of identities.Item Masculinity, myth and male victimisation: a study exploring professional discourses on male victims of intimate partner violence (IPV)(2016)IPV directed against male partners is a contentious and notorious topic within the study of domestic violence (Barkhuizen, 2010). Together with this it can be established from the research that even though there is a willingness amongst professionals to acknowledge males as victims of IPV there remains a lack of awareness both amongst professionals and society in general. Therefore, the issue of female-to-male IPV within the South African context is in need of extensive research. Accordingly, this research aims to fill the gap in the literature concerning male victimisation. Six key professionals- who work with domestic violence and have knowledge pertaining to the laws surrounding domestic violence- provided expert, educated opinions on the topic which were drawn from interviews that were transcribed and analysed with the use of thematic content analysis and critical discourse analysis. Key findings revealed the complexities of female-to-male IPV in South Africa. The research revealed that yes, South African law does make provision for male victims but the law is poorly implemented due to many intricacies. The most interesting results related to police perceptions of IPV (both female and male perpetrated). As such this study will bring about greater awareness of the issue and thus provide victims of female-to-male IPV the opportunity to report such incidents without fear of disbelief, reprisal or humiliation. In addition, this research will assist in addressing many of the academic debates and legal issues that surround this controversial aspect of abuse. KEY WORDS: Intimate Partner Violence (IPV), Domestic Violence, Male Victimisation, Female-to-male IPV, Professionals, Police, South AfricaItem The faces of ‘swag’ in South African reality television: representations of ‘black’ youth masculinities in Running with the Reps(2016) Dube, Charmaine SamukelisiweNo abstract provided