Military men and sexual practices: Discourses of ‘othering’ in safer sex in the light of HIV/AIDS

Abstract

Despite recent reports that there is increasing condom use, generally resistance to condom use is still high. This paper focuses on factors inhibiting condom use and explores issues of responsibility for safe sex practices to prevent infection among a group of 14 South African male soldiers. Military men are particularly vulnerable to HIV because of their working conditions; for example, working far from home and being among communities where they have greater economic and political power, as well as in relation to their identities and sexualities as men, and how that is exaggerated by the institutional framework of the military. The data in this paper were drawn from a larger qualitative study exploring a group of military men's narratives on their masculinity, sexuality, sexual relationships and HIV/AIDS. Semi-structured interviews were the main data collection method, and the interview transcripts were analysed primarily through interpretive discourse analysis. Findings of this study show that most participants used the socially desirable discourse that safe sex practices (specifically condom use) should be everybody's responsibility. However, there was also the discourse of the 'other' responsible person, which was linked to gender, race, ethnicity, education and rank. The paper concludes with a recommendation that tackling HIV in the military needs to involve the rigorous examination of social factors such as gender, race and ethnicity.

Masculinity and HIV: Dimensions of Masculine Norms that Contribute to Men’s HIV-Related Sexual Behaviors

“…Evidence also suggests that condom use may be considered masculine because it is a signifier of having multiple women sexual partners. Mankayi et al found that South African military men brag about having condoms (131). One man comments: “You know, the more condoms I’ve got in my drawer, the more manly I am.” (p. 36), portraying the idea that condoms represent sexual activity, an important characteristic of masculinity.…”

Perceptions of Sexual Risk Compensation Following Posttrial HIV Vaccine Uptake Among Young South Africans

“…Risk compensation was discussed predominately as something that would happen to ”others”; these others being people in the general community, young people and friends. “Othering” is often achieved through emphasizing difference of demographic characteristics such as race, gender, culture and ethnicity (Mankayi, 2009; Petros, Airhihenbuwa, Simbayi, Ramlagan, & Brown, 2006), and in this case might be a reflection of the data collection methodology: young people were likely not completely comfortable with discussing their own behaviors in a FGD setting. Participants did, however, emphasize the particular vulnerability of their age cohort.…”

Masculinity and sexual practices in the military: a South African study

“…Officers are perceived as being more responsible, therefore taking fewer risks than troops. This suggests that class (status/rank) plays a role in higher-risk sexual practices as during deployment (Mankayi, 2009). Simon expressed his feelings about this practice: 'It's amazing what guys do when they leave their kids and wives at home.…”

“…As an example, one participant mentioned that first-year female recruits often have intimate relationships with officers, especially those pursuing their military careers at a tertiary institution. This illustrates how an organisation's hierarchical structures and regular health assessments can foster and exacerbate unsafe sexual practices (for elaboration, see Mankayi, 2009). Hence, understanding the military's structures serves as an indicator of how 'clean' or 'safe' an individual may be deemed to be.…”

“…This hegemonic positioning negates women's sexual rights. Women are situated as having to account for their refusal to have sex when their male sexual partners require it Women are not only held accountable for their refusal but are judged via moralising discourses from men which question their sexual rights and, in particular, women's role in initiating condom use even if they are concerned about contracting HIV (Mankayi, 2009).…”