The construction of young masculine sexualities in rural Western Cape

[摘要] It is widely accepted that South African youth are particularly at risk of unplannedpregnancies and infection with the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and othersexually transmitted diseases (STDs). Research addressing the issue of HIV andreproductive health problems among young adolescents has largely focused onexploring the sexual behaviour of young women. The perceptions and attitudes ofyoung men toward sexuality have been neglected, thus perpetuating gender bias. It isargued that the dominant focus on women is a flawed strategy for prevention and thatresearchers also need to listen to the voices of young men when it comes to studyingsexuality (Thorpe, 2002; Morrell, 2002). The aim of this study is to explore howadolescent men in rural communities in the Western Cape experience and construct amasculine sexuality.Two-hundred-and-thirty-one Coloured adolescent men aged 12 to 20, who attend arural high school in the Langeberg District, Western Cape, completed selfadministeredanonymous questionnaires. The aim was to document (1) the range andextent of rural adolescent males' sexual behaviour and (2) to determine the levels ofknowledge and perceptions that rural adolescent men have regarding condom use andcontraceptives, as well as the sources from which they receive their knowledge. Ofthe sample, 37.9% had had sexual intercourse before, 41% never used contraceptiveswhen having sexual intercourse and almost 60% believed that the use of contraceptionis the women's responsibility.In addition, 21 individual interviews were conducted with both sexually active andnon- active rural adolescent men to understand how they construct a masculinesexuality. Interviews revealed that young men generally regret their first sexualexperience and that the experience of having sexual intercourse does not necessarilyprove that you are a 'real man'. According to some of these young men, masculinityis not proven via sexual coercion or sexual intercourse, but being gentle and caring atall times. However, male-to-male sex is not considered masculine, but just perceivedto be 'morsig' (disgusting).

[发布机构] Stellenbosch University