Abstract
Background: As emerging adults, adolescents try to create
their gender identity for their peers and
community. Romantic and sexual relationships are a way that young
men can define
themselves and their masculine identity. However, young men's
resulting sexual decisions
can affect their successful transition into the man they want to
be, as well as STI and HIV
rates, and rates of adolescent pregnancies. Peer groups and
families play a big role in
shaping young men's perceptions of normative behavior. Men can use
their health-related
behaviors to construct their masculinity. Behaviors that can be
negative for young men's
health actually can be normative and help improve their social
status and negotiation of
power.
Methods: In the Bañado Sur neighborhood in Asuncion,
Paraguay, five focus groups were
conducted with male peer groups ranging in age from 14 to 19. The
peer groups were
asked about normative behaviors for young men in their neighborhood
and about romantic
and sexual relationship dynamics. Half the members from each peer
group were selected to
participate in individual interviews that examined the same topics
but from an individual
perspective. The qualitative data were analyzed to understand
dynamics between
relationship behaviors and masculine identity for young men in the
neighborhood.
Results: Two different types of masculine norms were
described ('provider' and 'macho man') as
well as two different types of romantic relationships ('casual' and
'formal'). The language
used to describe each spectrum of behaviors was very similar and
represented the
connection between masculine norms and romantic relationships. In
addition, the perceived
norms for the neighborhood were much more 'macho man' than the
reported behaviors of
the young men.
Conclusions: Perceived norms cannot change unless young men
are willing to speak out about
their 'non-normative' behaviors. Because of the risk for teasing,
few young men are willing
to do this. This provides an evidence base for needing more
information on actual attitudes
and behaviors of young men (compared to the prevailing thought
about those attitudes and
behaviors). In addition, interventions should give young men a
space to speak out about
'non-normative' behaviors in order to begin changing norms.
Table of Contents
Introduction
1.1 Research Questions
1.2 Specific aims
1.3 Significance
Review of the Literature
2.1 Masculinity, sexual health and relationship behaviors of
men
2.2 Social environment and interaction of adolescent boys
2.3 Latino masculinity and the Paraguay context
2.4 Summary
Methods
3.1 Overview
3.2 Ethical Considerations
3.3 Study Site
3.4 Study Population
3.5 Data Collection Methods
3.6 Participant Recruitment
3.7 Data Collection Process
3.8 Data Analysis
3.9 Data Quality and Limitations
Results
4.1 Masculinity and its influences in the Bañado Sur
4.1.1 Young men's conceptualization of masculine behavior
4.1.2 Which male prototype?
4.1.3 Who influences the young men?
4.1.4 Who do the young men listen to?
4.1.5 How are the young men's gender norms influenced?
4.2 Masculine behavioral norms and the young men's behaviors
4.2.1 Relationships
4.2.2 Sex and condom use
4.2.3 Drinking, smoking and drugs
Conclusions
5.1 Misperception of the norms
5.2 Perceived norms and behavioral theory
5.3 Potential responses for the community
5.4 Implications for future research
Bibliography
Appendix 1
Appendix 2
Appendix 3
Appendix 4
Appendix 5
About this Dissertation
Rights statement
- Permission granted by the author to include this thesis or dissertation in this repository. All rights reserved by the author. Please contact the author for information regarding the reproduction and use of this thesis or dissertation.
| School |
|
|---|
| Submission |
|
|---|
| Language |
|
|---|