Train-Surfing is a high-risk phenomenon that has in recent years, become a trend affecting black male youths in South Africa. This study aimed at examining the motives behind the phenomenon. It also aimed at exploring the role that train-surfing plays in constructing a black, South African, masculine identity and what it means to be a train-surfer. A broader aim of the study was to explore the constructions of masculinity and their influence on high-risk behaviours in men. The reason for the choice of topic was that although train-surfing is not a recent phenomenon it appears to be a growing phenomenon in South Africa. Scientific publications are limited thus far with regard to international and local literature on this issue. This exploratory study used the social constructionist theory as a theoretical framework and presents qualitative research findings based on in-depth interviews of six juvenile train-surfers who reside in Soweto, Gauteng. Thematic Content Analysis was used to analyse the data. The study found that train-surfers tend to show evidence of family discord and are inclined to rely on support from their train-surfing peers. All of the participants lacked a substantial father figure, however many of them showed evidence of consistent support from mother figures. Reasons for participation in train-surfing include impressing young females, a desire for status and fame and peer pressure. Some participants perceived the activity as a sport or hobby, whilst others used symbols of addiction in describing the phenomenon. It was also found that the train-surfing participants used train-surfing as a means to define their identity as young, black males living in South Africa. Train-surfing was found to be associated with other high-risk activities such as taking drugs, drinking alcohol and gang-related behaviours. These findings are important as they highlight the role of high-risk behaviour in adolescents and uncover much needed research regarding men and masculinities in South Africa. / Thesis (M.A.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2009.

Wong, Ching Wa Alana. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2007. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 123-128). / Abstracts in English and Chinese. / Abstract --- p.i / Acknowledgements --- p.iii / Chapter Chapter One: --- Introduction --- p.1 / Chapter 1.1 --- Overview --- p.1 / Chapter 1.1.1 --- Objectives --- p.1 / Chapter 1.1.2 --- Who are fashionable Hong Kong young men? --- p.3 / Chapter 1.1.3 --- Significance and Setting --- p.5 / Chapter 1.2 --- Literature Review --- p.7 / Chapter 1.2.1 --- Changing masculinity in postindustrial society --- p.7 / Chapter 1.2.2 --- Beauty used to be associated with women --- p.10 / Chapter 1.2.3 --- Beauty has become part of masculinity --- p.12 / Chapter 1.2.4 --- Hong Kong's changing masculinity --- p.16 / Chapter 1.3 --- Methodology --- p.18 / Chapter 1.3.1 --- Media survey --- p.18 / Chapter 1.3.2 --- In-depth interviews --- p.20 / Chapter 1.4 --- Structure of the thesis --- p.22 / Chapter Chapter Two: --- Changing Perception of Masculinity in Hong Kong: Dominant and Alternative --- p.24 / Chapter 2.1 --- Introduction --- p.24 / Chapter 2.2 --- Meanings of Chinese masculinity --- p.24 / Chapter 2.3 --- Dominant perception of masculinity in Hong Kong --- p.26 / Chapter 2.4 --- Beauty becomes part of masculinity in Hong Kong --- p.28 / Chapter 2.4.1 --- Male beauty contest on television --- p.29 / Chapter 2.4.2 --- Hong Kong men's opinions on men's beauty --- p.32 / Chapter 2.4.2.1 --- Appearance is important for men --- p.33 / Chapter 2.4.2.2 --- Concern for appearance cannot be publicly admitted --- p.37 / Chapter 2.5 --- Conclusion: Caring for beauty is becoming part of masculinity --- p.40 / Chapter Chapter Three: --- Men's beauty in magazines in Hong Kong --- p.42 / Chapter 3.1 --- Introduction --- p.42 / Chapter 3.2 --- Magazines in Hong Kong --- p.43 / Chapter 3.2.1 --- Youth and gossip magazines --- p.43 / Chapter 3.2.2 --- Japanese male fashion magazines --- p.44 / Chapter 3.2.3 --- Men's lifestyle magazines --- p.45 / Chapter 3.3 --- Men's images in these three types of magazines --- p.45 / Chapter 3.3.1 --- Over- emphasis of Japaneseness: Youth and gossip magazines --- p.46 / Chapter 3.3.2 --- Authentic Japanese style?: Japanese male fashion magazines --- p.51 / Chapter 3.3.3 --- High class men: Men's lifestyle magazines --- p.54 / Chapter 3.4 --- Men's images in magazines in Hong Kong: wen or wu? --- p.59 / Chapter 3.5 --- Conclusion: Beauty has become increasingly important for men in Hong Kong --- p.62 / Chapter Chapter Four: --- "Relationship between ""Japan"" and men's beauty in Hong Kong" --- p.64 / Chapter 4.1 --- Introduction --- p.64 / Chapter 4.2 --- "The meaning and common beliefs about ""Japan"" in Hong Kong" --- p.65 / Chapter 4.2.1 --- Japan as work: Hair stylists and fashion designers --- p.66 / Chapter 4.2.1.1 --- Hair stylist assistants --- p.66 / Chapter 4.2.1.2 --- Fashion designers --- p.70 / Chapter 4.2.2 --- """Japan"" as leading fashion trends" --- p.73 / Chapter 4.2.2.1 --- "To be ""cool"" means to learn from Japan" --- p.73 / Chapter 4.2.2.2 --- Japan is the best --- p.77 / Chapter 4.3 --- "The influence of ""Japan"" on men's beauty" --- p.80 / Chapter 4.3.1 --- Awareness of Japan --- p.80 / Chapter 4.3.1.1 --- Hong Kong men who deliberately choose Japanized beauty practices --- p.80 / Chapter 4.3.1.1.1 --- Hong Kong men who have long term experiences in Japan --- p.80 / Chapter 4.3.1.1.2 --- Band members --- p.82 / Chapter 4.3.1.2 --- """Japan"" offers an alternative" --- p.83 / Chapter 4.3.2 --- Taken-for-Granted Japanese Influences --- p.84 / Chapter 4.3.2.1 --- The daily beauty practices: Japanese influences are invisible --- p.84 / Chapter 4.3.2.1.1 --- "No ""Japanese"" hair style" --- p.85 / Chapter 4.3.2.1.2 --- "No ""Japanese"" clothing styles" --- p.86 / Chapter 4.3.2.2 --- """Japan"" mixes with Hong Kong" --- p.88 / Chapter 4.3.3 --- Special cases --- p.90 / Chapter 4.4 --- Abandonment of Japanized beauty practices --- p.92 / Chapter 4.5 --- "Conclusion: ""Japan"" represents a temporarily attractive life for men" --- p.93 / Chapter Chapter Five: --- Negotiation with Women: Fashionable Hong Kong Young Men's Beauty Ideals --- p.95 / Chapter 5.1 --- Introduction --- p.95 / Chapter 5.2 --- "Women's ""gaze"" in the male beauty contest" --- p.96 / Chapter 5.3 --- The use of women in encouraging men's beauty in Hong Kong magazines --- p.97 / Chapter 5.4 --- Hong Kong men's masculinity: we listen and obey women's orders --- p.104 / Chapter 5.5 --- Conclusion: Fashionable Hong Kong young men's beauty practices are influenced by women --- p.109 / Chapter Chapter Six: --- Conclusion --- p.111 / Chapter 6.1 --- Conclusion --- p.111 / Chapter 6.2 --- A Review: Men's beauty as an alternative masculinity in Hong Kong --- p.111 / Chapter 6.2.1 --- Hong Kong men need to care about appearance --- p.112 / Chapter 6.2.2 --- "Japanized beauty practices can make men look ""cool"" and trendy" --- p.114 / Chapter 6.2.3 --- Men listen and obey women's orders on beauty practices --- p.116 / Chapter 6.2.4 --- "After all, career achievement and earning ability are more important" --- p.118 / Chapter 6.3 --- Conclusion: Limitations and self reflections --- p.120 / References --- p.123