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Masculinities, Femininities and the Burden of Culture Among Rural South African Teenagers in the Context of HIV

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Children and Young People Living with HIV/AIDS

Part of the book series: Cross-Cultural Research in Health, Illness and Well-Being ((CCRHIWB))

Abstract

In rural Kwa-Zulu-Natal, despite reports of stabilized HIV prevalence, incident rates remain extremely high, disproportionately affecting teenage women highlighting the urgency of prevention efforts that address gender power inequalities within relationship dynamics. Research shows that ideas of masculinities and femininities based on unequal relations of power place teenage women at increased risk of HIV infection. By drawing on elements of a broader study that examines South African teenage constructions of gender and sexuality, this chapter focuses on teenage men and pregnant teenage women in two rural contexts of KwaZulu-Natal. The chapter argues that teenage men and women draw on notions of masculinity and femininity which are rooted in cultural ideals of ukuhlonipha (respect) which emphasizes virginity and women’s subordinate position within gender relations. The effects of the cultural organization of gender within local rural contexts are relations of domination and subordination with reduced levels of agency for teenage women in contraceptive use (which account for their pregnancy status) and greater risk to HIV. Teenage men on the other hand foreground culturally embedded practices that value ‘polygamy’ in dating practices and reinforces male power and privilege. Teenage women are not simply seen as dupes of power but actively accommodate the cultural practices which contribute to their subordination. Whilst feminist research elsewhere has highlighted teenage women’s active agency in transforming their social conditions, the chapter argues that the cultural processes through which sexuality and gender are embodied are organized in ways that reproduce male domination and risk to HIV making it difficult for teenage women to exercise choice and agency. The chapter concludes with renewed efforts to focus on teenage men and women in local rural contexts, changing ideas of masculinities and femininities and reworking the ‘burden’ of culture that limits agency as well as the broader structural conditions which engenders poverty and vulnerability to disease.

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Acknowledgements

Nozipho Mvune and Marcell Marindi are acknowledged for conducting the fieldwork upon which this study is based. This work is based on the research supported wholly/in part by the National Research Foundation of South Africa (Grant Number TTK 2007050300020).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Education, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Private Bag X03, Cnr Mariannhill & Richmond Roads, Ashwood, 3605, South Africa

    Deevia Bhana

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  1. Deevia Bhana
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Correspondence to Deevia Bhana .

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  1. School of Science and Health, Western Sydney University, Penrith, New South Wales, Australia

    Pranee Liamputtong

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Bhana, D. (2016). Masculinities, Femininities and the Burden of Culture Among Rural South African Teenagers in the Context of HIV. In: Liamputtong, P. (eds) Children and Young People Living with HIV/AIDS. Cross-Cultural Research in Health, Illness and Well-Being. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-29936-5_7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-29936-5_7

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