Constructions and representations of masculinity as illustrated by males using photographic research.

Abstract

Young masculinity has become a research priority in South Africa and internationally. Several studies have focused on how masculinity is constructed, the subjective positions young males occupy and the masculine identities young males adopt. There is a dearth of literature that focuses on how masculinity is represented in South Africa. This study was a secondary analysis of data collected in a previous study. This study aimed to understand how young males visually represent their masculinity. Use was made of photographic data and interviews collected in a previous study. Auto-photography was a useful methodology as it provided insights into how masculinity is visually represented. Mixed method in the form of content analysis and thematic analysis was used to analyse photographic data and interviews. The results indicate that masculinity is visually represented in relation to material commodities, social memberships, and 'doing; activities and other. The implications of masculinity represented and constructed in terms of commodities, social membership, doing and other is discussed.