Gibbs A., Jewkes R., Sikweyiya Y., Willan S.
Health Economics and HIV and AIDS Research Division, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa; Gender and Health Research Unit, Medical Research Council, Pretoria, South Africa
Gibbs, A., Health Economics and HIV and AIDS Research Division, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa; Jewkes, R., Gender and Health Research Unit, Medical Research Council, Pretoria, South Africa; Sikweyiya, Y., Gender and Health Research Unit, Medical Research Council, Pretoria, South Africa; Willan, S., Health Economics and HIV and AIDS Research Division, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
Evidence shows the importance of working with men to reduce intimate partner violence and HIV-risk. Two claims dominate this work. The first is that interventions ‘reconstruct’ masculinities – these new formations of masculinity exist in opposition to existing ones and are healthier for men and less harmful for women. The second is that to be successful, such interventions need to address men's exclusion from the economy. Using a qualitative longitudinal cohort study of young men who participated in a gender transformative and livelihood strengthening intervention, as well as dyadic interviews with men's main female partners, we explore these claims. Data suggests men saw some improvements in livelihoods and relationships. However, challenging social contexts, including high rates of unemployment, peer networks and a dominant youth masculinity, limited change. Rather than reconstructing masculinity, a more subtle shift was seen with men moving away from ‘harmful’ aspects of a dominant youth masculinity towards a form of masculinity whereby male power is buttressed by economic provision and attempting to form and support ‘households’. Working with men on their livelihoods at an instrumental level encouraged participation in the intervention. Beyond encouragement, men's improving livelihoods afforded men the opportunity to materially demonstrate the social changes – in the form of shifts in masculinity – they were seeking to enact. © 2014, © 2014 Taylor & Francis.
adult; cohort analysis; female; HIV Infections; human; longitudinal study; male; masculinity; partner violence; poverty; prevention and control; qualitative research; sexuality; social environment; South Africa; urban population; young adult; Adult; Cohort Studies; Female; HIV Infections; Humans; Intimate Partner Violence; Longitudinal Studies; Male; Masculinity; Poverty; Qualitative Research; Sexual Partners; Social Environment; South Africa; Urban Population; Young Adult