A phenomenological explication of the constructs of male circumcision among Sesotho speaking males in the contemporary South Africa
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Date
2018
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Publisher
University of Zululand
Abstract
This study focused on exploring the different meanings that young South African Sesotho
speaking males have about male circumcision. The believe is that due to the differences in the
experiences, this should instigate for different constructs about the phenomenon. Trying to
narrow the study, two groups of young Sesotho speaking males where established to work with
comparatively; these are males which are medically circumcised and those that are traditionally
circumcised. This study aimed at understanding the different social constructs which young
circumcised Sesotho speaking males have to the phenomenon.
The researcher followed a qualitative research method trying to unravel the topic. The
researcher used snowball sampling to source his participant. The researcher gathered his data
via personal interviews with participants and later analyzed it using IPA.
It appeared that the meaning towards this phenomenon is really socially constructed rather than
being universal. It varies according to ones beliefs, which are dictated by an individuals’
cultural, religious, and ethnic background. For some it is still highly considered a rite of passage
to manhood. However, a controversial debate which forms part of the meaning of the
phenomenon for others is that it plays a significant role of reducing chances of contracting HIV
and other STI’s. Another interesting issue related to this phenomenon is the subject of the
psychological and physical risks and benefits linked to the procedure. The findings of this study
suggested that, even though medical circumcision may be highly recommended, it still leaves
a room for doubt whether it is really safer than traditional circumcision. The study discovered
that medically circumcised males suffered from both physical and psychological
complications. With the repelling forces between the two dimensions of the phenomenon
(medical and traditional), considering the health and safety of these young males, the question
at hand is that how will our nation strike a balance between the two and yet posses their
different meanings attached to the phenomenon.
Description
Submitted to the department of psychology in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree of Master’s in Clinical Psychology in the faculty of Arts at the University of Zululand, 2018.
Keywords
Male circumcision, Sesotho