An exploration of constructions of masculinity : a narrative study of young Zulu men's stories of 'being a man'

Maxwell, Justin Kennedy

Title: An exploration of constructions of masculinity : a narrative study of young Zulu men's stories of 'being a man'
Creator: Maxwell, Justin Kennedy
Subject: Masculinity -- South Africa -- KwaZulu-Natal
Subject: Men -- South Africa -- Psychology
Subject: Discourse analysis, Narrative -- Psychological aspects
Subject: Zulu (African people) -- Social life and customs
Subject: Men -- South Africa -- KwaZulu-Natal
Date Issued: 2005
Date: 2005
Type: Thesis
Type: Masters
Type: MSocSc
Identifier: vital:3251
Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1015763
Description: Previously understood as a fixed and universal set of behaviours social constructionists are now arguing that masculinity is contextual and fluid, reflecting a multiplicity of different understandings. Within any 'cultural environment' the discourse of masculinity, culturally and historically bound, expresses attitudes and behaviours that shape the understanding of what it means to be a man. Adopting a narrative approach and analysis this research explores the stories of six Zulu men in seeking to elicit the aspects of their masculinity and show how these men negotiate an identity 'position' from the social narratives available to them. It was found that while the ideal Adult (responsible) man contrasts with the Young man's ('isoka' ) position there is a consistently hegemonic and patriarchal notion of masculinity.
Format: 103 leaves
Format: pdf
Publisher: Rhodes University
Publisher: Faculty of Humanities, Psychology
Language: English
Rights: Maxwell, Justin Kennedy

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