The construction of intimacy in heterosexual, longterm relationships in a South African farmworker community

[摘要] ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Current mainstream theories of intimacy were derived from studies with primarily White,middle class participants living in developed countries. However, as social contexts shapepeople's definitions, meanings and behaviours, it cannot be assumed that mainstreamintimacy conceptualisations would apply to other populations. Studies of intimacy should belocated in its social and historical context. Previous South African studies of Black andColoured couples mainly emphasised HIV/Aids, interpartner violence and gender inequality,and neglected to investigate positive aspects of intimate lives of poorer communities. A lackof such context-specific data on how South African men and women construct andexperience intimate relationships hinders appropriate and effective interventions. This studyaddressed this research gap by exploring intimacy experiences of long-term heterosexualadult Coloured couples living in a low-income semi-rural community. The objective of thisqualitative study was to gain an understanding of how the participant couples expressed andexperienced intimacy. The participants were 15 couples (i.e. 30 participants), between theages of 23 and 66 years, who had been married or living together for a minimum period oftwo years. Qualitative semi-structured interviews were conducted to explore: (i) how couplesunderstand intimacy, and (ii) how intimacy is expressed and experienced in committed adultheterosexual relationships. Theoretically, this study was informed by social constructionismand interviews were analysed using Braun and Clarke's thematic analysis method. Thefollowing themes were identified: (i) closeness means being together, (ii) sex and intimacy(iii) closeness in talking (iv) expressions and experiences of intimacy/closeness through actsof care, (v) alcohol disrupts closeness (vi) family of origin and the constructions of intimacy;and (vii) community constructions and norms.Although much of the international literature suggests that mutual self-disclosure is thefoundation for intimacy, self-disclosure did not feature prominently in the narratives of thisstudy's narratives. Closeness was expressed through sharing in practical and tangible ways.Gender was pertinent to these couples' experiences and gender roles were fundamental totheir intimacy perceptions and behaviours. Despite some contestations of hegemonicmasculinity and femininity constructions, most of the participants did not demonstrate an active awareness or resistance regarding learned gender roles. They did not seem to considerthese gender roles as problematic, limited or limiting, nor did they indicate alternative genderideas. This was attributed partly to poverty and low education levels, which constrainpeople's access to alternative gender perspectives. Religion and community influences alsoplay an important role in their understanding of their role as partner. Although Christianityendorses traditional gender ideas, the participants themselves felt that their religious beliefsand practices facilitated intimate experiences, and prevented alcohol abuse and domesticviolence. In conclusion, implications for policy and practice in terms of gender inequalityand alcohol abuse are discussed, as are the limitations of the study.

[发布机构] Stellenbosch University