“The power of sex to dominate and the ability of power to obtain sex in order to
dominate” is at the crux of the researchers’ investigation. The researcher
problematizes the usage of power for the attainment of sexual favours. At the heart of
this research is the question, what is at the root of the exploitation and “sexifying” of
power by either the granter or the recipients of sexual favours. The researcher utilises
various lenses in exploring the research problem. Such lenses include a social lens
which zooms in at the social power possessed by men over women in society and a
theological lens which zooms in on the domination of men over women in scripture.
In an attempt to explore the subject at hand, the author explores the role of patriarchy,
unequal opportunities between men and women and poverty as some of the primary
proponents for those who offer themselves as sex objects to those in power. In most
cases, it is women who are at the suffering end of poverty; it is also women who are
forced to use their bodies for sex, this, therefore, means that women are doubly
oppressed. Part of the socialised “sexual oppression” of women is the notion that
women were created for marriage, work, labour and the pleasure of men.
Anthropologically, men and women are the crown of creation and are worthy of dignity.
It is, therefore, a necessity for women to reclaim their dignity.
The researcher is aware of the complex nature of sex which varies from negative to
positive experiences depending on the individual. In a society that views sex as a
commodity and is permissive in its perception of sex, in a society that has a high rate
of pornography, swinging and swapping. The researcher probes the “humanising” of
sex so that it is not just a physical activity but an intimate act of love and affection. The
principles for the above involves viewing sex as personal and relational; sex as
exclusive and unique; sex as fruitful and productive; sex and selfless and sacrificial
and an acknowledgement of sex as multi-dimensional.
Though the writer comes from a religious background and is the Wesleyan tradition,
though she converses with a faith community in Eersterust as part of her quantitative research; she does not evade confronting the reality of the bible as a document flawed
with patriarchy, clothed in culture and set in a particular context.
The author who is Wesleyan draws from this rich heritage and compares the times of
John Wesley which were characterised by, “Champagne, dice or a neighbour’s
spouse” to the South African context. She utilises the Wesleyan quadrilateral to draw
these parallels.
All these findings led the author to the conclusion that conversations, training, safe
space and capacitating of those in power, those abusing power, those attracted to
power must be held for the restoration of human dignity with particular reference to
women. The church remains a powerful and efficient platform for the above. The
Church can no longer evade her role in rectifying the damage caused by patriarchy as
assumedly condoned by the bible. The church can no longer evader her role in the
restoration of human dignity. / Philosophy, Practical and Systematic Theology / M. Th. (Systematic Theology)
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:netd.ac.za/oai:union.ndltd.org:unisa/oai:uir.unisa.ac.za:10500/26514 |
| Date | 01 1900 |
| Creators | Mtshiselwa, Pumla |
| Contributors | Modise, Leepo Johannes |
| Source Sets | South African National ETD Portal |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Dissertation |
| Format | 1 online resource (xi, 113 pages), application/pdf |
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