‘There is a No that means Yes!’ – Coercive and aggressive sexual behaviours in adolescents’ heterosexual relationships in rural KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

ABSTRACT

This qualitative study examined sexual negotiation in heterosexual romantic relationships of rural adolescents in the province of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Participatory visual research methodology alongside focus group discussions were employed with 18 and 19-year-old adolescent boys (n = 10) and girls (n = 12) to understand how sex is negotiated in heterosexual relationships. Findings suggest adolescent boys and girls had little understanding of mutual sexual consent, and lacked the skills for exercising it. Adolescent boys’ coercive and aggressive sexual behaviours in romantic relationships were embedded in hegemonic masculinity characterized by male dominance, hypersexuality and multiple partners; and included boys pleading for sex, buying gifts, threatening to dissolve the relationship if sex is not initiated, screening pornographic films and rape. Sexual violence prevention strategies commencing during early adolescence are needed and should focus on developing adolescents’ understanding of mutual sexual consent, incorporate skills for autonomous sexual negotiation, and emphasize gender transformative and equitable norms.

KEYWORDS:

• Sexual consent
• sexual coercion
• rape
• adolescents
• heterosexual relationships

Acknowledgments

The authors deeply appreciate: 1) the participants who shared their views on this project; 2) Discovery Foundation and University of KwaZulu-Natal UCDP fund for financial support; and 3) research assistants, Mr Lloyd Mpanza and Ms Zama Khanyile, for their incredible contribution during data-generation.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Ethical considerations

Ethical approval was granted by UKZN Biomedical Research Ethics Committee, BREC Ref No BE249/19. Gatekeeper permission was requested from the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Basic Education. Prior to data generation, participants completed and signed an informed consent form. Informed consent form outlined the participants’ rights, expectations of participating in the study and that they could withdraw at any time, without negative consequences.

Correction Statement

This article has been corrected with minor changes. These changes do not impact the academic content of the article.

Notes

1. The first author, aided by a male and female isiZulu-speaking research assistants, was responsible for data generation and interactions with participants. Co-authors were involved in the third phase of data analysis and developing this manuscript.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Discovery Foundation, Ref 038206, and the University of KwaZulu-Natal UCDP fund.