This study sets out to examine understandings of gender and sexual risks amongst young Africans in the KwaMakhutha township, in KwaZulu-Natal. Young Africans between the ages of 16 to 17 years old were interviewed to ascertain what they perceive to be risky sexual behaviour and why young people engage in such activities. The study also aimed to understand whether young people understood the negative consequences of risky behaviour. Such insight from young peoples' perspectives is very helpful in understanding what schools can do to prevent risk taking activities especially in the context of AIDS. KwaZulu-Natal is the epicentre of the AIDS pandemic in South Africa and young people between the ages of 15-24 are very vulnerable with young women facing disproportionate vulnerability. A qualitative research method was used in this study and ten in-depth interviews were conducted in one of the high schools in the KwaMakutha Township, outside Durban. The study finds that gender inequalities is central in understanding sexual risk and constructions of masculinity and femininity reproduce sexual and gender relations of power where young women remain vulnerable. Schools should take the voices of young people seriously and address gender inequalities as a key area of intervention. / Thesis (M.Ed.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2011.

The study considered the prevalence of risky sexual behaviour in child headed families that usually affects the adolescents in South Africa. This study aimed at exploring the prevalence of risky sexual behaviour in child headed families, determining the causal factors of sexual promiscuous behaviour and effects of promiscuity. The area of investigation was Qora Village which is in a small town called Idutywa, Eastern Cape. This is an area that is characterised by poverty, illiteracy and unemployment. The sample was comprised of 50 participants and the study was conducted in two phases using mixed methods approach. Social exchange theory underpinned the study. Findings highlighted that these child headed adolescents had a role of caregivers and due to poverty they practiced risky sexual behaviour to bridge the economic gap. Furthermore, teenagers living in child headed families were likely to engage in risky sexual behaviour with people who are older than them; others are forced and coerced; while others perceive such act as a better option to bridge the economic gap that existed within their family backgrounds

M.A. / The purpose of this study was to determine if the PPASA Lifeskills HIV/AIDS programme is an effective sexuality programme for adolescents. The ANOVA was used to measure the effectiveness of the programme. The PPASA Lifeskill HIV/AIDS manual was used to present acceptable sexual knowledge, sexual behaviour and sexual values as well as attitudes. Some of the sources that were reviewed with regard to those variables are Greathead et al., Madima C., Taitz L., Kaplan P., Louw D. and Olivier M. The field experiment before and after control group (pretest-postest) design was used for the research. The Mathtech sexuality questionnaire is the instrument that was employed to measure the effectiveness of the PPASA Lifeskills HIV/AIDS programme with regard to sexual behaviour, knowledge, attitudes and values. The Anova was then used to compare means between different groups and to determine if the scores are statistically significant. Unanticipated results were produced, the experimental groups sexual behaviour got worse instead of improving. The experiential group’s data indicated that the group was not significantly better off on their sexual knowledge, behaviour and attitudes. The results do not necessarily mean that the PPASA Lifeskills HIV/AIDS programme is useless, the programme can be used effectively as long as issues like language of instruction, time frame for the presentation of the programme, information grading and the role of parents with regard to the sexuality of their children can be resolved. Future research should try to work on some of the above mentioned obstacles. Research should be well resourced, both in regard to time as well as the material. It is also important to look into that which makes sexuality education programmes fail and succeed. The school should be the main agent of presenting sexuality education. It should work towards breaking the African culture of regarding sexuality topics as taboo. Parents should also be encouraged to take part in educating their children and being there for their children all the time.

A research report submitted to the School of Social Science, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts in the field of Demography and Population Studies for the year 2015 / Introduction: Early sexual debut remains a public health concern, and it continues to gather interest among researchers. In part interest is driven by the unchanging age at sexual debut and even though the age of sexual debut remains unchanged, the rate of early sexual debut keeps rising in many developing countries (Pettifor et al, 2009). Approximately 60% of young people in South Africa report to have had sexual intercourse by the time they are 16 years old (Peltzer, 2006). Furthermore early sexual debut has been identified as an indicator of risky sexual behaviour; as it exacerbates the individuals exposure to sexually transmitted diseases especially HIV, which is most prevalent among the youth in the ages 15-24 years old (Mchunu, 2012). Similarly, violence also remains a public health concern as it endangers the development of young people. Approximately 3.5 million people report injuries caused by violence every year, and violence accounts for 30% of mortality (Norman et al, 2010). A prevalent feature of violence is the dual role of young men as victims and as perpetrators of violence (Seedat et al, 2009). In some areas of South Africa homicide deaths of males outnumber those of females at a rate of 7 males to 1 female death (Seedat et al, 2009). Furthermore other reported consequences of violence among the youth are mental health problems, injuries and a negative education outcome among young people in South Africa. Young people are future leaders and parents of South Africa and it is therefore important to have a study that will examine the association between two factors that have been deemed as risk factors for the development of young people. The general objective of this study is to examine the association between violence and early sexual debut among youth in South Africa. The first specific objective of the study is to identify the level of early sexual debut among youth in South Africa, while the second specific objective of the study is to examine the association between violence and early sexual debut controlling for socio-economic and demographic variables. Methodology: Data was obtained from the National HIV communication survey with a sample of 1 873,956 females and 932,397 males. who are in their youth (15-24 years old). Data was managed using the STATA 12 and was analysed in a way that answers the objectives of the study. For descriptive analysis, frequency tables and graphs were used. A chi-square test was conducted, to test for an association between violence and early sexual debut and for multivariate analysis the study employed a multinomial logistic model / GR2017

A research report submitted to the Faculty of Humanities, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, in fulfilment of the requirements for the award of Masters of Arts in Demography and Population Studies, 2017 / Background: Risky behaviours among adolescents are notably the most important factors contributing to negative health outcomes of this population group. Adolescents in South Africa are at risk of the HIV infection, unintended pregnancies, unintentional injuries (motor vehicle accidents) and substance and drug abuse. South Africa is regarded as one of the countries with nearly half adolescents living with HIV, as a result of unprotected sex. It is also regarded as one of the countries with motor accidents cases and as a result of reckless driving and substance use. To understand this, there is substantial research on the demographic and socio-demographic determinants of risky behaviour amongst adolescents but little research on the household and community factors. The main aim of this study is to determine the contextual determinants of adolescent risky behaviours in South Africa. Method: This study used data from the South African Youth Life Style Survey of 2008. The study sample size is 3336 adolescents aged 12 to 19 across all nine provinces in South Africa. Risky behaviours are organized using an ecological framework into individual, household, and community levels. Binary- multilevel logistic regression was employed to analyze the data. Results: The results indicated that age, sex, education, race, living arrangements, number of income earners, were significant, however, the relationship between risky behaviours and community level variables were negatively significant. . 3336 adolescents participated in the study, 934 (28.0%) had sexual intercourse and 158 (4.74%) had two or more sexual partners, and 234 (7.01) did not use a condom during their last sex. In terms of substance use, 34.24 % ever used alcohol and about 24.45% ever been a passenger with a driver under the influence. Adolescents who were living with their grandparents (OR=1.07), living in a household with seven or more members (OR=1.06), while residing in had a higher likelihood of engaging in risky behaviours. Findings demonstrated that community level factors were not associated with reports of risky behaviour among adolescents but were influential in shaping the risky behaviour of adolescents. Conclusion: Firstly, results from this research will provide a better understanding of the contextual factors that relate to risky behaviours. Secondly, results from this research will help inform polices such as the National Youth Policy in reducing risky behaviours. Lastly, interventions aimed at reducing risky behaviours among adolescents in South Africa should not only focus on individual level but also on the household and community engagement. / XL2018

Teenage childbearing has been a cause for concern in South Africa. A number of studies claim that early childbearing has been increasing, while other studies indicate that say it has remained constant. Despite lack of consensus on the trend, there is agreement that the levels are high. The Reproductive Health Research Unit (2003) survey reported that close to 15 percent of teenage women become pregnant between the ages of 15 to 19 years. Teenage childbearing has raised major concerns for government, researchers and communities (Cherry et al, 2001). Researchers have identified a number of factors which contribute to teenage childbearing. Lately, there has been an ongoing debate about the introduction of social security system (Child Support Grants), which is meant to assist in alleviating child poverty. Some argued that Child Support Grants has contributed in high pregnancies among teenagers. However, the research on the relationship between Child Support Grants and teenage childbearing has not been consistent. This study explored sexual and reproductive patterns observed among teenagers. The focus was on understanding experiences of school going adolescents. The study also aimed to establish the environment surrounding childbearing in schools and the perception of child support grants through interviewing key informants and teenagers themselves. In summary, the study collected qualitative and qualtitative information from teenagers and teachers in schools, and from teenagers collecting CSG from paypoints. Findings from this sudy indicate that sexual practices among teenagers are complex. Teenagers are aware of the negative effects around early sexual initiation and childbearing support. However despite of this awareness, the study shows that more than half (52.7 percent) of teenagers become sexually at an early age more males (53.7 percent) than females (46.3 percent) were sexual active. Of the sexually active teenagers, findings show that 26.7 percent had their first sexual intercourse at the age of 15 years, 22.0 percent at 14 years, and 16.8 percent at the age of 16 years. The median age at sexual debut for both males and females was 14 years. While, teenagers without children were most likely to report that teenage mothers are having children to receive CSG, but teenage mothers did not confirm this. It was also interesting to discover that more males than females believed that teenagers take advantage of CSGs. However, indings clearly indicate that there are mixed perceptions with regard to impact of CSG on teen childbearing. / Thesis (M.A.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2012.

Gender is inherent in all patriarchal cultures given that women and girls in these societies are relegated to a significantly lower status than men and boys. Many researchers acknowledge the importance of addressing gender inequality in order to adequately understand and address HIV and AIDS transmission and prevention. However, there remains in this area a more direct focus on the specific cultural attitudes and practices that expose women and girls to HIV infections. Professionals in the educational field need to specifically address gender norms and roles and their influence on young people’s sexual behaviour, particularly, with regards to risky behaviour that often has consequences for women and young girls. Sexuality is part and parcel of young girls’ experiences through adulthood which is manifested in personal friendships, relations and social interaction. These encounters constitute sites within which sexual identities are developed, practiced and actively produced through processes of negotiation. As a result of societal influences, these encounters vary immensely between boys and girls because gender inequality has a significant impact on choices available to women and girls, which are often constrained by coercion and violence. Drawing on qualitative research conducted in a high school in KwaMashu, North of Durban, in KwaZulu-Natal, the study investigated ways in which young girls (16-17) give meaning to sexuality, sexual risks and how gender is embedded within these meanings. The study answered three critical questions: What do young girls regard as risky sexual behaviour? Why do young girls engage in risky sexual activities? How is gender connected to sexual risk? Data came from participants’ focus group discussions and indepth interviews with 12 young girls. The study revealed that through social and cultural practices some young girls construct complex gendered relations of domination and subordination that position boys and girls differently, often creating gender inequalities and sexual vulnerability for those gendered as girls. Young girls’ vulnerability is characterised by confusing experiences coupled with silences from their parents’ side about sexuality. The distinctive experiences are complex tensions and contradictions surrounding constructions of sexuality that are predicated upon unequal power and gender relations characterised by coercion, ukuthwala and the control of young girls’ sexuality and gendered experiences that put young girls at risk of contracting HIV and AIDS. The study recommends that parents must communicate with young people (boys and girls) about sexuality. There should be policies that are put in place by all the education stakeholders to address issues of sexuality and gender imbalances within schools. This will help young people to develop the skills needed to adequately negotiate safe sex, avoid risky behaviour and coercive situations, help young people to maintain healthy relationships and address vulnerabilities and promote gender equality and equity in our society. / Thesis (M.Ed.) - University of KwaZulu-Natal, Edgewood, 2011.

In this paper I address the problem of risky sexual behaviours among boys between 16 and 17 in an Umlazi high school, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. The main question, which I address, is what boys in an Umlazi high school consider as risky sexual behaviour. My central thesis in addressing this question is exploring the boys’ risky sexual behaviours in an Umlazi high school in order to understand their risky sexual behaviours which can lead to HIV and AIDS infection. My aims and purpose in this essay are thus to understand the boys meaning of risky sexual behaviour, why do these boys in the study engage themselves in risky sexual behaviors and how does the social constructions impact on risky sexual behaviours of boys in an Umlazi high school. The research context of this study is in the domain of masculinity and sexuality. I start from premise that masculinity and sexuality are dynamic and fluid assuming that their risky sexual behaviours are the result of social construction of masculinities and sexualities. I used the qualitative methods in order to understand their world and their meaning of risky sexual behaviours. My results showed that the society shaped the boys meaning of masculinity and sexuality, their identity of being boys and attitudes towards sex and being a boy. In addition to that these boys were urging to be the boys that their society know and expect, they did not want to be different or act differently to what the society consider normal of which there is a price of being alienated or subordinated and ostracized if a boy perform alternative masculinity and sexuality and these constructions affects the girls and young women as they are expected to be permissive. Furthermore the boys aspirations in this study were geared by powerful males such as the President of South Africa in his openly polygamous relationships and they revealed that they promote polygamy which is the culture of the Zulus, so they are already practicing it by having multiple partners which they take as their prerogative as boys. In short, this paper addresses the problem of risky sexual behaviours among boys in a selected Umlazi high school by the group interview held in the research site in order to understand the boys meaning of risky sexual behaviours in an Umlazi high school. Furthermore the study explores what boys consider risky sexual behaviours, their reasons to engage themselves in risky sexual behaviours and the impact of the social construction of masculinity and sexuality. / Thesis (M.Ed.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2012.

This study explores young men understandings of, and engagement in, risky sexual behaviours. The group of young men the study focuses on is in a high school in Lesotho. They are aged between 16 and 17 years. The motivation for the study is that, despite a series of campaigns designed to increase awareness and knowledge associated with sexually transmitted diseases, especially HIV/AIDS, young boys in Lesotho continue to engage in risky sexual behaviours and practices. It is in this context that the purpose of the study was to investigate how gender power is intimately tied in with meanings young men in Lesotho attach to sexuality. The related aspect investigated in this study, furthermore, was to investigate ways in which gender power operates, and ultimately contribute into boys’ and girls’ risky sexual behaviours that make them vulnerable to the HIV/AIDS pandemic. The study employs qualitative research methods to achieve these aims and, accordingly, utilises focus group and individual interviews, with six purposively selected high school boys as research instruments. The findings reveal that, while some boys engage in risky sexual practices, others express determination to practice safe sex. Thus, the study reveals that despite the fact that some boys are engaged in unsafe sexual practises and multiple sexual partners in heterosexual relationships to comply with the notion of masculinity and societal expectations of MANHOOD, others are beginning to question such attitudes. There is therefore multiple and varied perspectives on this issue among the small sample selected for this study. / Thesis (M.Ed.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2012.

The HIV/AIDS pandemic is acknowledged as a disease that has harmful impacts on the social and economic development of developing countries. Much of the research on the pandemic has not, until recently concentrated on its impact on the education sector and on teenagers as people living with HIV. This study investigates the lives and experiences of HIV positive teenage learners (main participants) in some Intshanga schools in KwaZulu-Natal. As teenagers are essentially minors, and would be under the care of parents or other caregivers, it was necessary to learn more about the lives of the teenagers from caregivers in the community and from family members within families where there are individuals living with HIV. The study provides some insight into how other people like family members and caregivers understand the pandemic as well as the role they play in the lives of those infected by the HIV virus. Empirical data was collected over a period of a year (2004-2005) and yielded the following main findings: * Fear about disclosing one's status: HIV and AIDS are still not accepted as one of the significant realities of the lives of learners. It is regarded as a shameful disease which most members of the community prefer not to talk openly about. * Effects on affected learners: Social, economic and cultural circumstances and perspectives impact negatively on relationships in general and on relationships significant to learners themselves, i.e. parent-child and adult. * Persons living with HIV are called names by those who are seemingly not affected. * Teenagers report that they avoid using local healthcare services because they have on occasion experienced being verbally abused at these health care centres. * Teenagers are not assisted in dealing with peer pressure. * Teenagers are vulnerable to making disastrous choices. / Thesis (M.A.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2008.