Ukwaluka / Ukusoka: A gender analysis of the symbolism of male circumcision as perceived by amaxhosa men and women in Clermont - Kwadabeka, Durban

Masterarbeit , 2005 , 97 Seiten

Soziologie - Beziehungen und Familie

Male circumcision evokes emotive responses with those who either support or oppose the practice. It is an area of human interaction that has remained outside the public arena as a result of cultural taboos, but has increasingly come under public scrutiny due to the deaths of young boys as a result of unhygienic circumcision. Some taboos raise the spectre of death over anybody who dares to divulge the secrets of the ritual to outsiders. Male circumcision has resulted in public debates due to death and fatalities of some boys who undergo the ritual, but not much has been done to investigate the impact that male circumcision has on the social lives of the circumcised living in urban areas. This study investigates some of the reasons for the practice of traditional male initiation rituals by amaXhosa males who reside in Clermont­ KwaDabeka (Durban); and explores analyses and assesses the social meaning and effects of male circumcision. An analysis is offered about some of the gendered constructions related to sexual pleasure as an effect of male circumcision as perceived by Xhosa men and women living in Clermont-KwaDabeka. The processes involved in circumcision rites for the circumciser and the circumcised are examined in order to establish the context for the study and to extrapolate the processes in order to reflect on the meaning of the ritual. The study highlights the ongoing debate as to whether circumcision may be practiced as a health intervention strategy, and suggests that male circumcision has no impact on the sexual pleasure experienced by women, and concludes that female orgasm (s) is a problematic issue that needs further investigation. The study also conceives male circumcision as a cultural practice, and as a social construction that is gendered. The study recommends further interrogation of the issues pertaining to culture, sex, sexuality, gender, masculinities and male circumcision in order that this will serve as an intervention towards socialization of boys, and help them in making informed decisions before undergoing initiation.

Keywords:

Ukwaluka; Ukusoka; gender; sexuality; culture; masculinity; sexual pleasure

Table of Contents

• Abstract
• Acknowledgements
• Dedication
• Chapter 1: Introduction
• Background to the Study
• Statement of the Problem
• Objectives of the Study
• Research Questions
• Significance of the Study
• Scope of the Study
• Limitations of the Study
• Definition of Key Terms
• Theoretical Framework
• Chapter 2: Literature Review
• The Meaning of Circumcision in Various Cultures
• Male Circumcision: A Global Perspective
• Circumcision in African Culture
• The Socio-cultural Context of Male Circumcision in South Africa
• Circumcision and Gender in South Africa
• The Politics of Circumcision in South Africa
• Health Perspectives of Male Circumcision
• Conclusion
• Chapter 3: Methodology
• Research Design and Approach
• Data Collection Methods
• Sampling Procedures
• Ethical Considerations
• Data Analysis and Interpretation
• Chapter 4: Findings
• Introduction
• The Meaning of Male Circumcision as Perceived by Amaxhosa Men
• The Meaning of Male Circumcision as Perceived by Amaxhosa Women
• The Social Meaning of Circumcision: A Gendered Perspective
• Chapter 5: Discussion and Analysis
• Introduction
• The Social and Cultural Meaning of Male Circumcision
• The Gendered Construction of Sexual Pleasure
• The Impact of Circumcision on Women's Sexual Pleasure
• Male Circumcision as a Health Intervention Strategy
• The Interplay of Culture, Sex, Sexuality, Gender and Masculinity
• Conclusion
• Chapter 6: Recommendations
• Introduction
• Recommendations for Further Research
• Conclusion
• References

Objectives and Key Themes

This dissertation aims to explore the social meaning and effects of male circumcision within the context of the amaXhosa community in Clermont-KwaDabeka, Durban. It examines the gendered constructions related to sexual pleasure as perceived by Xhosa men and women in the area. The research delves into the processes involved in circumcision rites, analyzing both the circumciser and the circumcised perspectives. This study also aims to contribute to the ongoing debate regarding male circumcision as a health intervention strategy, and assess its potential impact on women's sexual pleasure.

• The social and cultural meaning of male circumcision within the amaXhosa community
• Gendered constructions of sexual pleasure as perceived by Xhosa men and women
• The impact of male circumcision on women's sexual pleasure
• The potential role of male circumcision as a health intervention strategy
• The interplay of culture, sex, sexuality, gender, and masculinity in the context of male circumcision

Chapter Summaries

• Chapter 1: Introduction: This chapter sets the stage for the research, outlining the background, statement of the problem, objectives, research questions, significance, scope, limitations, and theoretical framework of the study.
• Chapter 2: Literature Review: This chapter provides a comprehensive overview of existing research on male circumcision, exploring its meanings in different cultures, global perspectives, and particularly focusing on the South African context. It delves into the socio-cultural context, gender dynamics, political implications, health perspectives, and concludes with a summary of key findings from previous research.
• Chapter 3: Methodology: This chapter details the research design, data collection methods, sampling procedures, ethical considerations, and data analysis techniques employed in the study.
• Chapter 4: Findings: This chapter presents the qualitative data collected through interviews with amaXhosa men and women. It explores their perceptions of the meaning of male circumcision, analyzing the differing perspectives of each gender.
• Chapter 5: Discussion and Analysis: This chapter examines the findings in depth, analyzing the social and cultural meaning of circumcision within the amaXhosa community, the gendered construction of sexual pleasure, and the potential impact of circumcision on women's sexual pleasure. It also discusses the ongoing debate surrounding male circumcision as a health intervention strategy and explores the complex interplay of culture, sex, sexuality, gender, and masculinity.

Keywords

The study delves into the cultural practice of male circumcision within the amaXhosa community, investigating its social meaning, gendered implications, and potential impact on sexuality. The core concepts explored include: aluka, ukuSoka, gender, sexuality, culture, masculinity, and sexual pleasure.

• Hochschule: University of KwaZulu-Natal (Howard College)
• Veranstaltung: Gender Studies
• Autor: Promise Makhosazane Nkosi (Autor:in)
• Erscheinungsjahr: 2005
• Seiten: 97
• Katalognummer: V204797
• ISBN (eBook): 9783656309871
• ISBN (Buch): 9783656311508
• Sprache: Englisch
• Schlagworte: ukwaluka, ukusoka, clermont, kwadabeka, durban