title: Racing risk, gendering responsibility: a qualitative study of how South African students talk about sexual risk and responsibility.
abstract: Individuals' perceptions of risk have implications for whether and how they engage with protective strategies. This study investigated how sexual risk, specifically HIV and pregnancy and responsibility for these risks were constructed in discussions across five groups of youth in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. The qualitative study used focus groups and interviews with a sample of 28 tertiary level students and 7 peri-urban youth. The constructions of risk intersected with raced and gendered narratives around sexual risk and responsibility. These constructions were used by the participants to assign and displace responsibility for the risks of HIV and pregnancy, rendering some groups immune to these risks. This constitutes a form of stigmatisation and also has implications for participants' prevention practices.
authors.affiliation: a Psychology, School of Applied Human Sciences , University of KwaZulu-Natal , Private Bag X01, Scottsville 3209 , South Africa.
authors.forename: Mary
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: van der Riet
authors.forename: Tamaryn Jane
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Nicholson
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000208:ethnology / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011247:Pregnancy; D049168:Pregnancy, Unplanned / Q000208:ethnology / Q000523:psychology; D036301:Qualitative Research; D044469:Racial Groups; D012309:Risk-Taking; D012737:Sex Factors; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000523:psychology*; D012941:Social Responsibility; D013019:South Africa; D013334:Students / Q000523:psychology*; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: HIV; gender; race; social constructionism; unplanned pregnancy