South African women’s conceptualisations of and responses to sexual coercion in relation to hegemonic masculinities.
Outcomes: Gender‑Based Violence, Human Immunodeficiency Virus
View SourceKey Social Norms Take-aways This study reveals how hegemonic masculinities—norms that valorize male dominance, control, and sexual entitlement—shape South African women’s perceptions of and responses to sexual coercion. These norms contribute to the normalization of coercion, especially in intimate relationships, and often lead women to internalize blame and guilt. However, women’s agency is shown to be fluid and relational; some participants describe shifts in understanding and increased resistance to harmful gender norms over time.
Objectives The study explores how South African women conceptualize and respond to sexually coercive experiences, particularly in relation to dominant gender norms and expectations of masculinity.
Methods Using a narrative approach, the study conducted 25 in-depth sexual history interviews with women across five South African provinces. Participants were diverse in age, language, race, and rural/urban backgrounds. Thematic and narrative analyses were used to examine how participants made sense of coercion and how gender norms influenced their interpretations and responses.
Social Norms Measures/Methods Social norms were analyzed through women’s narratives, focusing on how hegemonic masculinities and associated beliefs about male sexuality influenced women’s experiences and perceived options for response. The study explored how women adopted, challenged, or internalized these norms.
Results Sexual coercion, often by intimate partners, was frequently normalized and not viewed as rape, especially when emotional or verbal pressure was involved. Participants described feeling unable to report abuse due to societal stigma, fear of retaliation, or pressure from family. Nonetheless, some women described later relationships characterized by trust and mutual respect, where gender norms were challenged and personal agency reclaimed.
Conclusions Women’s interpretations of and responses to sexual coercion are deeply shaped by prevailing social norms around masculinity and femininity. While many narratives reflect the constraints these norms impose, they also show that norms can be questioned and unlearned. The study underscores the need for gender-transformative approaches that promote critical reflection, challenge coercive norms, and support women’s sexual agency.
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