Changing risk-taking traditions
amongst adolescent boys in
Alexandra Township
Malose Langa
Studies on young adolescent boys
• Many studies on masculinities have been conducted with adult
male populations but currently there is a growing interest in young
masculinities.
• Today many problems of young boys in school have been linked
with ‘hegemonic’ masculinity, which encourages casual treatment
of schoolwork, defiance of adult authority , missing of classes and
the social disapproval of boys who put emphasis on academic
success.
• The construction of ‘hegemonic’ masculinity is also a key influential
element in risk-taking behaviours such as drinking and driving,
violent crime, substance abuse and unsafe sexual practices with
multiple partners. Many boys engage in high-risk behaviours as a
way of constructing a hegemonically based masculine identity.
Aims of the Research Project
• To explore South African township boys’ experience of
developing and living a masculine identity.
• To identify alternative versions of masculinity which are not
based on dominant hegemonic forms of masculinity that may
be illustrated in these boys’ lives.
• To examine factors (e.g. culture or traditions) facilitate or
hinder engagement with alternative forms of masculinity.
• The relevance of this research is to identify healthy
alternative constructions of masculinity, to inform
interventions such as HIV/AIDS prevention, violence
prevention and substance abuse prevention.
Boys as self-reflective: Storytelling
through photography
1. Interviews as spaces for critical selfreflection.
2. Boys’ talk about the future (fatherhood)
3. Boys’ talk about cultural issues (e.g. gender
equality)
Developing alternative voices of being
a boy
‘Ascimatheni magents’ (let us talk boys)
• How do you define being a boy?
• What does it mean for you to be a boy?
• What do boys do to make them boys?
• What have been or are the influences on your identity as a boy?
What do you like about being a boy?
• What don’t you like about being a boy?
• What different kinds of boys are there in your school?
• What kinds of groups do you fit into? What is this like?
• What is risky or dangerous about being a boy today? What is
particularly risky for you?
• What do you think makes boys do dangerous things (e.g. substance
abuse, violence, gangs and crime)?
• Who are your role models in your life and in the community? Why?
Conclusion
• What traditions can we develop about being a
boy today who does not engage in risk-taking
behaviours?
• How do we think about being a boy today?
Thank you