Changing masculinities for the better : a narrative project among young men in Cato Manor

Abstract

This thesis sought to investigate the link between masculinities, fatheringandgender-based violence in a Durban community. The prevalence of gender-based violence is a crisis in the lives of manySouthAfricans and statistics show that this country has one of the highest incidencesofgender-based violence on a global scale. The research examines the issuesofgender-based violence in South Africa and how a select group of young menviewwomen, gender-based violence and their masculinities. Using a narrative approach, the study explored what fathers pass on to their sons in the way of masculinethinking and their sons’ reflections on this. The study found that a man’s masculinity is formed by learning to be a manfromother males in the community, as well as from their ancestors and the media. Evenintheir absence, fathers play a vital role in the construction of male masculinities. Theresults indicated that there is a need in the community for older men toofferguidance to the younger generation. Causes of gender-based violence identifiedbythe participants include financial issues, the misconception that men cannot control themselves when women wear revealing clothing, and men’s reaction whenwomensay no to their advances. The study indicated that aspects of the previous traditionsand approaches applied in a modern context, as well as hegemonic masculinity, werealso underlying causes of gender-based violence. During discussions on how males are expected to behave, alternative constructsofmasculinities emerged. It was evident that males must negotiate contradictions withinthe hegemonic constructs of masculinity and all the participants concurredthat individual men navigate these constructs of hegemonic masculinity differently. Barriers to deviating from hegemonic markers of masculinity included feeling‘not manly enough’, fears of exclusion from the community and fears of thedisintegration of the family unit.