Perspectives on intimate relationships among young people in rural South Africa

The logic of risk

Datos Bibliográficos

ID15097967
AutoresKerstin Edin (0000-0001-7919-5901, University of the Witwatersrand, autor de correspondencia), Bo Nilsson (0000-0003-0057-2730, Umeå University), Anneli Ivarsson (0000-0001-8944-2558, Umeå University), John Kinsman (0000-0003-1332-4138, Umeå University), Shane A Norri (0000-0001-7124-3788, University of the Witwatersrand), Shane A Norris, Kathleen Kahn (0000-0003-3339-3931, Umeå University)
Año2016
Volumen18
Número9
Páginas1010-1024
Fecha de publicación2016-09-01
Peer ReviewedSí
Open AccessNo
TipoARTICLE
RevistaCulture Health & Sexuality (JOURNAL)
Identificadores de la revistaISSN: 1369-1058 • E-ISSN: 1464-5351
EditorialInforma UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/13691058.2016.1155749
PMID26986221
OpenAlexW2302290879
IdiomaEN
Citas recibidas9
Referencias citadas40

This paper explores how young people in rural South Africa understand gender, dating, sexuality and risk-taking in adolescence. The empirical material drawn upon consists of 20 interviews with young men and women (aged 18-19) and reflects normative gender patterns characterised by compulsory heterosexuality and dating as obligatory, and representing key symbols of normality. However, different meanings of heterosexual relationships are articulated in the interviews, for example in the recurring concept of 'passing time', and these meanings show that a relationship can be something arbitrary: a way to reduce boredom and have casual sex. Such a rationale for engaging in a relationship reflects one of several other normative gender patterns, which relate to the trivialisation of dating and sexual risk-taking, and which entail making compromises and legitimising deviations from the 'ideal' life-script and the hope of a better future. However, risks do not exclusively represent something bad, dangerous or immoral, because they are also used as excuses to avoid sex, HIV acquisition and early pregnancy. In conclusion, various interrelated issues can both undermine and/or reinforce risk awareness and subsequent risk behaviour. Recognition of this tension is essential when framing policies to support young people to reduce sexual risk-taking behaviour

Boredom · Casual · Developmental psychology · Heterosexuality · Human sexuality · Normative · Political science · Sociology · Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health · Gender Roles and Identity Studies · Gender Studies · Poverty, Education, and Child Welfare · Psychology · Social Psychology