Exploring boys’ perspectives of masculinity and gender inequality before and after participating in the Hero Empathy Programme

Abstract

This dissertation focuses on exploring boys’ perspectives of masculinity and gender inequality before and after participating in the Hero Empathy Bystander Programme for Boys. The purpose of this research was to explore the impact of this programme in facilitating a change in boys’ perspectives of masculinity, attitudes to gender inequality and views on gender-based violence.

The researcher conducted a qualitative study and used the social learning theoretical framework to gain insight into the boys’ perceptions as revealed in the focus-group discussions held with them before and after the intervention. Through thematic analysis the researcher was able to identify boys’ perspectives of masculinity, attitudes to gender inequality and views on gender-based violence before the intervention and change in these perceptions after the intervention.

This research formed part of a larger study. The intervention was implemented in 2018 by Action Breaks Silence, a non-profit organisation. Participants in the intervention were Grade 5 boys from ten different primary schools in Soweto and Atteridgeville, South Africa. A research team from the University of Pretoria held focus-group discussions with ten of the Grade 5 boys in each school that participated in the intervention. The researcher of the present study analysed the focus group data collected before and after the intervention using the thematic analysis method in order to explore, identify and report on emerging patterns (themes). The results revealed that the boys’ communities, families and peers had influenced the development of their perceptions of masculinity, attitudes to gender inequality and views on gender-based violence. Further, the data obtained from the discussions held before the intervention indicated that the boys perceived themselves in a superior position, and having the power to impose their views on girls and demand obedience and compliance from women.

After participation in the intervention, a noticeable shift was observed in their perceptions of gender roles and gender stereotypes and the inappropriateness of violence and aggression towards girls. Some behaviour change was noted in how boys related to girls. However, this change brought challenges; because they deviated from the traditional group norm of masculinity, their peer groups viewed them as outsiders.