Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Troubling the Agency-Victimhood Trope

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Troubling the Teaching and Learning of Gender and Sexuality Diversity in South African Education

Part of the book series: Queer Studies and Education ((QSTED))

Abstract

This chapter is about lesbian, gay, and bisexual youth in South African schools. The research globally and in South Africa on sexuality diversity and schooling pivots on two discursive axes of victimization and agency. There is a cost for research to emphasize exclusively this duality. Despite its usefulness, I argue that the victim-agency dualism is counterproductive and I make four arguments: it leads us to a cul-de-sac; it reduces heterosexism and heteronormativity to the individual level and fails to take account of the systemic nature of heterosexism; it ignores the multiplicity of identities LGB youth hold; and it seriously compromises a focus on same-sex relationships, intimacy, desire and the aspirations of LGB youth. One aim of this chapter is the need to learn from and with youth in expanding inclusive school programs.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
eBook
USD 16.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Hardcover Book
USD 99.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  • Astbury, G., & Butler, A. (2005). Youth, education, and sexualities: An international encyclopedia. In South Africa: LGBT issues (pp. 810–814). Westport, CT: Greenwood Publishing Group.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bell, L. (2007). Theoretical foundations for social justice education. In M. Adams, L. Bell, & P. Griffin (Eds.), Teaching for diversity and social justice. New York: Routledge Taylor and Francis Group.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bhana, D. (2012a). Parental views of morality and sexuality and the implications for South African moral education. Journal of Moral Education, 42(1), 114–128. doi:10.1080/03057240.2012.737314.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bhana, D. (2012b). Understanding and addressing homophobia in schools: A view from teachers. South African Journal of Education, 32, 307–318.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bhana, D. (2014). “Managing” the rights of gays and lesbians: Reflections from some South African secondary schools. Education, Citizenship and Social Justice. doi:10.1177/1746197913497663.

    Google Scholar 

  • Blackburn, M. V. (2004). Understanding agency beyond school sanctioned activities. Theory into Practice, 43(2), 102–110. doi:10.1207/s15430421tip4302_2.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bozzoli, B. (1991). Women of Phokeng. Johannesburg: Ravan Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Butler, A. H., & Astbury, G. (2008). The use of defence mechanisms as precursors to coming out in post-apartheid South Africa: A gay and lesbian youth perspective. Journal of Homosexuality, 55(2), 223–244. doi:10.1080/00918360802129485

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Carrim, N., & Soudien, C. (1999). Critical antiracism in South Africa. In S. May (Ed.), Critical multiculturalism: Rethinking multicultural and antiracist education (pp. 163–164). New York: Routledge.

    Google Scholar 

  • Davis, R. (2012, October 9). Johannesburg gay pride parade pits politics against partying. The Guardian. Retrieved from http://www.theguardian.com/world/2012/oct/09/joburg-gay-pride-clash?fb=optOut

  • DePalma, R., & Francis, D. (2014). South African life orientation teachers: (Not) teaching about sexuality diversity. Journal of Homosexuality, 61(12), 1687–1711. doi:10.1080/00918369.2014.951256.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Epstein, D., & Johnson, R. (1998). Schooling sexualities. Buckingham: Open University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ferfolja, T. (2007). Schooling cultures: Institutionalizing heteronormativity and heterosexism. International Journal of Inclusive Education, 11(2), 147–162. doi:10.1080/13603110500296596.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Francis, D. (2012). Teacher positioning on the teaching of sexual diversity in South African schools. Culture, Health & Sexuality, 14(6), 597–611. doi:10.1080/13691058.2012.674558.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Francis, D., & Hemson, C. (2007). Multiculturalism in South Africa: Education in the shadow of the rainbow. Journal of Educational Studies, 6, 39–51.

    Google Scholar 

  • Francis, D., & Msibi, T. (2011). Teaching about heterosexism: Challenging homophobia in South Africa. Journal of LGBT Youth, 8(2), 157–173. doi:10.1080/19361653.2011.553713.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Giddens, A. (1991). Modernity and self-identity. Cambridge: Polity Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Harper, G. W., Brodsky, A., & Bruce, D. (2012). What’s good about being gay? Perspectives from youth. Journal of LGBT Youth, 9(1), 22–41. doi:10.1080/19361653.2012.628230.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Horn, S. S., Szalacha, L. A., & Drill, K. (2008). Schooling, sexuality, and rights: An investigation of heterosexual students’ social cognition regarding sexual orientation and the rights of gay and lesbian peers in school. Journal of Social Issues, 64(4), 791–813. doi:10.1111/j.1540-4560.2008.00589.x.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Human Rights Watch. (2011). “We’ll show you you’re a woman” violence and discrimination against black lesbians and transgender men in South Africa (No. 1-56432-834-1). United States of America. Retrieved from http://www.hrw.org/sites/default/files/reports/southafrica1211.pdf

  • Johnson, B. (2014). The need to prepare future teachers to understand and combat homophobia in schools. South African Journal of Higher Education, 28(4), 1249–1268.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jungar, K., & Oinas, E. (2010). A feminist struggle? South African HIV activism as feminist politics. Journal of International Women’s Studies, 11(4), 177–191.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jungar, K., & Oinas, E. (2011). Beyond agency and victimisation: Re-reading HIV and AIDS in African contexts. Social Dynamics, 37(2), 248–262. doi:10.1080/02533952.2011.603192.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kjaran, J. I., & Jóhannesson, I. Á. (2013). Manifestations of heterosexism in icelandic upper secondary schools and the responses of LGBT students. Journal of LGBT Youth, 10(4), 351–372. doi:10.1080/19361653.2013.824373.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kowen, D., & Davis, J. (2006). Opaque young lives: Experiences of lesbian youth. Agenda, 20(67), 80–92. doi:10.1080/10130950.2006.9674701.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kumashiro, K. (2000). Toward a theory of anti-oppressive education. Review of Educational Research, 70, 25–53.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • McArthur, T. (2015). Homophobic violence in a Northern Cape school: Learners confront the issue. Agenda, 1–7. doi:10.1080/10130950.2015.1056587.

  • Msibi, T. (2009). Not crossing the line: Masculinities and homophobic violence in South Africa. Agenda, 80, 50–54.

    Google Scholar 

  • Msibi, T. (2012). “I’m used to it now”: Experiences of homophobia among queer youth in South African township schools. Gender and Education, 24(5), 515–533. doi:10.1080/09540253.2011.645021.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nel, J., & Judge, M. (2008). Exploring homophobia in Gauteng, South Africa: Issues, impacts and responses. Acta Criminogica, 21, 19–36.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pascoe, C. (2007). Dude, you’re a fag: Masculinity and sexuality in high school. Berkeley, CA: University of California Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Reygan, F., & Francis, D. (2015). Emotions and pedagogies of discomfort: Teachers responses to sexual and gender diversity in the Free State, South Africa. Education as Change, 19(1), 101–119. doi:10.1080/16823206.2014.943259.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Reygan, F., & Lynette, A. (2014). Heteronormativity, homophobia and “culture” arguments in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Sexualities, 17(5/6), 707–723.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rich, A. (2004). Reflections on “compulsory heterosexuality”. Journal of Women’s History, 16(1), 9–11.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Richardson, E. (2004). “A ripple in the pond”: Challenging homophobia in a teacher education course. Education as Change, 8, 146–163.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Richardson, E. (2008). Researching LGB youth in post apartheid South Africa. Journal of Gay and Lesbian Issues in Education, 3, 135–140.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Robinson, K. H., & Ferfolja, T. (2001). “What are we doing this for?” Dealing with lesbian and gay issues in teacher education. British Journal of Sociology of Education, 22(1), 121–133. doi:10.1080/01425690020030828.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Shefer, T. (2015). Resisting the binarism of victim and agent: Critical reflections on 20 years of scholarship on young women and heterosexual practices in South African contexts. Global Public Health, 1–13. doi:10.1080/17441692.2015.1029959.

  • Swanepoel, E., & Beyers, C. (2015). From personal sexuality bias to the life orientation classroom: Bridging the gap with cultural intelligence. Journal of Psychology in Africa, 25(2), 164–169. doi:10.1080/14330237.2015.1021535.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sykes, H. (2011). Queer bodies sexualities, gender and fatness in physical education. New York: Peter Lang.

    Google Scholar 

  • Unterhalter, E., Epstein, D., Morrell, R., & Moletsane, R. (2004). Be yourself: Class, race, gender and sexuality in South African schoolchildren’s accounts of social relations. Pedagogy, Culture & Society, 12(1), 53–72. doi:10.1080/14681360400200189.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wells, H., & Polders, L. (2005). Lack of empowerment among Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual Transgender (GLTB) people in KwaZulu Natal, South Africa. Pretoria: Joint Working Group.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wells, H., & Polders, L. (2006). Anti gay hate crimes in South Africa: Prevalence, reporting practices, and experiences of the police. Agenda, 67, 12–19.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Sociology and Social Anthropology, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, South Africa

    Dennis A. Francis

Authors
  1. Dennis A. Francis
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Copyright information

© 2017 The Author(s)

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Francis, D.A. (2017). Troubling the Agency-Victimhood Trope . In: Troubling the Teaching and Learning of Gender and Sexuality Diversity in South African Education. Queer Studies and Education. Palgrave Macmillan, New York. https://doi.org/10.1057/978-1-137-53027-1_6

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1057/978-1-137-53027-1_6

  • Published:

  • Publisher Name: Palgrave Macmillan, New York

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-137-53026-4

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-137-53027-1

  • eBook Packages: EducationEducation (R0)

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation