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#Blessed : the blesser phenomenon : transactional sex and intergenerational relationships in urban South Africa

Palfreman, Joanne LU (2020) MIDM19 20201
Department of Human Geography
LUMID International Master programme in applied International Development and Management
Abstract
Relationships between women and typically older men for gifts and money in exchange for sex in South Africa are common, and known as blesser relationships. Their increasing acceptability and accessibility has been linked to negative sexual and reproductive health outcomes among young black African women. Using focus group discussions and semi-structured individual interviews, this thesis investigates the blesser phenomenon in South Africa through societal perceptions from peers, family and the wider community, and their interaction with motivations and experiences of women engaging in blesser relationships. Bourdieu’s (1977) Theory of Practice is used to understand how perceptions and behaviours are formed, recognising the importance of... (More)
Relationships between women and typically older men for gifts and money in exchange for sex in South Africa are common, and known as blesser relationships. Their increasing acceptability and accessibility has been linked to negative sexual and reproductive health outcomes among young black African women. Using focus group discussions and semi-structured individual interviews, this thesis investigates the blesser phenomenon in South Africa through societal perceptions from peers, family and the wider community, and their interaction with motivations and experiences of women engaging in blesser relationships. Bourdieu’s (1977) Theory of Practice is used to understand how perceptions and behaviours are formed, recognising the importance of intersectionality affecting the women involved in blesser relationships.

This thesis finds that on the surface societal perceptions are largely negative, with families believed to hold the most extreme views. Community-wide condemnation is considered commonplace, although perceived to be slowly changing. Motivations for involvement with blessers are driven largely by material benefits, and while societal perceptions are influential, they are more prone to result in adaption of behaviour rather than abandonment of the relationship. On closer analysis however, dichotomies in perceptions are revealed and women’s motivations and behaviour are more complex than they appear. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
Palfreman, Joanne LU
supervisor
organization
course
MIDM19 20201
year
type
H2 - Master's Degree (Two Years)
subject
keywords
blessees, blessers, sexual and reproductive health and rights, South Africa, transactional sex
language
English
id
9025833
date added to LUP
2020-09-08 11:44:42
date last changed
2020-09-08 11:44:42
@misc{9025833,
  abstract     = {{Relationships between women and typically older men for gifts and money in exchange for sex in South Africa are common, and known as blesser relationships. Their increasing acceptability and accessibility has been linked to negative sexual and reproductive health outcomes among young black African women. Using focus group discussions and semi-structured individual interviews, this thesis investigates the blesser phenomenon in South Africa through societal perceptions from peers, family and the wider community, and their interaction with motivations and experiences of women engaging in blesser relationships. Bourdieu’s (1977) Theory of Practice is used to understand how perceptions and behaviours are formed, recognising the importance of intersectionality affecting the women involved in blesser relationships. 

This thesis finds that on the surface societal perceptions are largely negative, with families believed to hold the most extreme views. Community-wide condemnation is considered commonplace, although perceived to be slowly changing. Motivations for involvement with blessers are driven largely by material benefits, and while societal perceptions are influential, they are more prone to result in adaption of behaviour rather than abandonment of the relationship. On closer analysis however, dichotomies in perceptions are revealed and women’s motivations and behaviour are more complex than they appear.}},
  author       = {{Palfreman, Joanne}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  note         = {{Student Paper}},
  title        = {{#Blessed : the blesser phenomenon : transactional sex and intergenerational relationships in urban South Africa}},
  year         = {{2020}},
}