Gender dynamics in the primary sexual relationships of young rural South African women and men

Culture, Health & Sexuality
Lucia F O'SullivanMuriel Kubeka

Abstract

A substantial body of South African research describes the importance of gender dynamics within sexual relationships as factors underlying HIV risk, yet we know little about these factors among young adults-a group at exceptionally high risk of infection. Our primary objective was to explore the ways that young adult men and women interpret and enact gender roles within their established primary partnerships, and how these dynamics influence sexual behaviour in relation to HIV risk. We employed script theory to frame our analysis of the dynamics of gender. Fifty students (25 women, 25 men) at secondary schools in a rural district of KwaZulu/Natal, South Africa completed in-depth interviews about sexual interactions with their primary partner. While many participants indicated that the standards of sexual conduct within relationships reflect dominant gender role norms, our findings indicate that there are important variations in these roles with some male and female respondents accepting and reinforcing the rights of women to determine the nature of sexual interactions. Efforts aimed at improving acceptance and adoption of alternative scripts for women and men may help to broaden young people's repertoire of HIV prevention options.

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Citations

Jun 8, 2006·Journal of Urban Health : Bulletin of the New York Academy of Medicine·Abigail HarrisonRobert Morrell
Jun 6, 2009·Culture, Health & Sexuality·Yandisa Sikweyiya, Rachel Jewkes
Jun 29, 2013·Culture, Health & Sexuality·Erin Stern, Rosemarie Buikema
Oct 31, 2007·AIDS Education and Prevention : Official Publication of the International Society for AIDS Education·Kari C KuglerKnut-Inge Klepp
Dec 1, 2009·African Journal of AIDS Research : AJAR·Britta Thege
Mar 1, 2013·African Journal of AIDS Research : AJAR·Deevia Bhana, Bronwynne Anderson
Dec 12, 2007·AIDS Care·N Zungu-DirwayiP Dana
Sep 17, 2014·Archives of Sexual Behavior·Ashleigh J KellyFiona Kate Barlow
Dec 20, 2011·Journal of Marriage and the Family·Nancy LukeEliya M Zulu
Jun 21, 2014·SAHARA J : Journal of Social Aspects of HIV/AIDS Research Alliance·Kristien MichielsenMarleen Temmerman
Apr 19, 2017·Journal of Biosocial Science·A V BengesaiR Dube
Feb 2, 2017·Reproductive Health·Clifford Odimegwu, Oluwaseyi Dolapo Somefun
Feb 24, 2016·Journal of Enzyme Inhibition and Medicinal Chemistry·Stefano ScoglioSerena Benedetti
Oct 7, 2011·Culture, Health & Sexuality·Manuel MaciaAshley Gresh

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Methods Mentioned

BETA
contraception

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