Wembezi Township

An exploration of young men’s understanding of manhood and manliness: Wembezi Township Samukelisiwe Lily Hlophe 214585674 Supervisor Dr Moya Bydawell Submitted in partial fulfilment of the academic requirement for the degree of Master of Social Science (Sociology) in the School of Social Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa January 2017 Declaration I, Samukelisiwe Lily Hlophe, declare that this dissertation is my own original research work and effort. I certify that this dissertation has not been by accepted for any degree in my name in any other university. Where other sources have been used, it is clarified through referencing. Signature: ………………………………………. Date: ……………………………………………. i Acknowledgements First and foremost, I would like to thank my Saviour, Jesus Christ, for getting me this far in my academic career. I feel blessed and humbled. I thank my spiritual father, Prophet S. Sibisi, for all his prayers and faith in me – I am honoured to be your daughter. I would also like to thank my supervisor, Dr Moya Bydawell, for her guidance, patience and support throughout the entire process. I know I was not always an easy student, but you stuck it out for which I am grateful. Thank you also to my mom, Ruth Hlophe, and aunt, Constance Hlophe, for always being there, pushing and comforting through challenges. For all the cooked meals, I thank you mamkhulu. My brother, Londa Hlophe, always managed to keep it light when stress crept in. Siyathokoza Hlophe, I thank you for the crazy yet motivational talks. My beautiful daughter, Siyamthanda Hlophe, this is mommy showing you the way by example. Lastly and importantly, I am so grateful to the 15 research participants from Wembezi Township without whom this study would not have been possible. ii Abstract This study aimed to describe the identities of manhood and manliness according to the young men of Wembezi Township through qualitatively collected interview data. It also aimed to identify meanings attached to manhood and manliness by the participants. The study employed the concept of hegemonic masculinity as a theoretical lens for interrogating the construction of manliness and manhood in Wembezi Township. Fifteen young men aged between 18 and 25 were recruited using a purposive sampling strategy. Data was collected through semi-structured interviews and analysed thematically. The research findings revealed that manhood and manliness among young men in Wembezi is primarily understood in terms of ‘man’ as the breadwinner, provider, and head of the family. However, the study found that there was no uniformity in the young men’s conceptions of manhood, as certain ideals upheld by some young men conflicted with those held by others. There was also a significant level of ambivalence between participants in these findings which supports the general perception and notion that the concept of manhood is fluid, unstable and multiple. This was seen in behavioural patterns, views and attitudes of the men to portray particular masculinities, such as strength in the face of illness, which at the same time posed challenges to the construction of masculinities. Social institutions such as schools and family homes emerged both as significant sources of and platforms for the construction of manhood identities and manliness in Wembezi Township. It is recommended that male gender construction and practices that promote and reinforce hegemonic masculinities be investigated further in order to better understand the phenomenon. iii Table of Contents Declaration............................................................................................................................. i Abstract ............................................................................................................................... iii Acronyms and definitions ................................................................................................... vii Chapter 1: Introduction ......................................................................................................... 1 1.1 Introduction .............................................................................................................. 1 1.2 ‘Manhood’ and ‘manliness’ defined ......................................................................... 1 1.3 Research problem and study rationale....................................................................... 1 1.4 Study objectives ....................................................................................................... 3 1.5. Key research questions ............................................................................................ 3 1.6. Outline of chapters .................................................................................................. 3 Chapter 2: Theoretical Framework: Hegemonic Masculinity ................................................. 4 2.1 Introduction .............................................................................................................. 4 2.2 Patriarchy and masculinity defined ........................................................................... 4 2.3 Hegemonic masculinity background and definition .................................................. 5 2.4 Why the hegemonic masculinity framework for this study ........................................ 7 2.5 The crisis in masculinity ........................................................................................... 8 2.6 Patterns of masculinity ............................................................................................. 9 2.7 Subject position and gender (masculine) Identity .................................................... 11 2.8 The self and identity ............................................................................................... 13 2.9 Gender roles ........................................................................................................... 15 2.10 Features of hegemonic masculinity ....................................................................... 16 2.10.1 Risk-taking .................................................................................................................... 17 2.10.2 Control ........................................................................................................................... 17 2.10.3 Strength ......................................................................................................................... 18 2.10.4 Man and his penis ........................................................................................................ 18 2.10.5 Homophobia.................................................................................................................. 19 2.11 Manifestations of masculinities ............................................................................ 20 2.11.1 Figurative level ............................................................................................................. 20 2.11.2 Symbolic level .............................................................................................................. 20 2.11.3 Literal level ................................................................................................................... 20 2.12 Criticisms of hegemonic masculinity .................................................................... 20 2.13 Conclusion ........................................................................................................... 22 iv Chapter 3: Literature Review .............................................................................................. 23 3.1 Introduction ............................................................................................................ 23 3.2 Global, African and South African masculinities .................................................... 23 3.3 Rights, gender and manhood .................................................................................. 27 3.4 Diversity in identity construction ............................................................................ 27 3.5 Power and violence ................................................................................................ 28 3.6 Manhood and Control ............................................................................................. 30 3.7 Manhood and Sexuality .......................................................................................... 32 3.7.1 Multiple sexual partners ................................................................................................ 33 3.7.2 Objectification of women .............................................................................................. 33 3.7.3 Conflicting ideals ........................................................................................................... 34 3.7.4 Manhood and homosexuality ........................................................................................ 34 3.8 Health and the male gender .................................................................................... 35 3.9 Masculinity and family structure ............................................................................ 38 3.10 Hegemonic masculinity as detrimental to men ...................................................... 39 3.11 Attempts to reconstruct the new South African masculinity .................................. 42 3.12 Conclusion ..........................................................................................................

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