Constructions of male adolescent sexuality : an exploratory study in a coloured, rural community

[摘要] ENGLISH ABSTRACT:Statistics indicate that not only HIV-infection and AIDS but all sexual and reproductive healthproblems are increasing globally. In order to address these issues the socio-cultural context inwhich sexual behaviour is expressed must be understood. Given that sexual health risks arecompounded by socio-political and socio-economic issues, researchers must direct their focusto high-risk, low socio-economic communities.Adolescents have been identified as a prime target for sexual awareness and preventativeprogrammes and research has stressed the importance of gaining an understanding ofadolescent sexuality, in order to address the sexual health risks that threaten adolescents. Inaddition, there is a paucity of research on especially the role of the male adolescent in thestudy of sexual and reproductive health.In the current study, constructions of male adolescent sexuality in traditionally coloured andrural communities were explored. The nature of the research was exploratory and the aimswere to determine the range and frequency of sexual behaviour that male adolescents in aspecific community engage in and secondly, explore male adolescents' constructions of theirsexuality and sexual behaviour in intimate heterosexual sexual relationships.Multiple methods of data collection were utilised. Self-report questionnaires were completed by179 male adolescents between the age of 15 and 21, at two schools in the rural areassurrounding Stellenbosch. The data from the questionnaire was quantitatively analysed. Sevenin-depth interviews were conducted with male adolescents between the age of 16 and 18. Thedata from the interviews was analysed qualitatively.An analysis of the data indicated that male adolescents' ability to take control over safe sexpractices are undermined by attempts to defend and conceal their sexual behaviour andsexuality. Male adolescents from traditionally coloured and rural areas distance andexternalise their sexual behaviour and sexuality. Sexual behaviour is explained andunderstood as being directed by external factors and by fear of negative evaluation by peersand parents. Such a construction of sexuality continues to prevent male adolescents fromunderstanding and constructing their sexuality as self-owned and self-directed. In turn thisconstruction continues to result in behaviour that runs counter to safe sex guidelines.

[发布机构] Stellenbosch University