When Social and Personal Norms Collide: Narratives of South African Women Navigating Transactional Sexual Relationships with Blessers

Abstract

Due to the negative implications of transactional sexual relationships (TSRs) for women’s sexual and reproductive health, studies of social norms in sub-Saharan and South Africa have sought to inform HIV-related risk and interventions in this key population. To date, however, little research has investigated the normative conflicts facing women in African settings when initiating, continuing or abstaining from participation in TSRs. In 2017–2018, we investigated conflicts black South African women in KwaZulu-Natal expressed between adhering to social versus personal norms in TSRs with “blessers”—wealthy men who gift women financially or materially—typically in exchange for sex. Participants expressed conflicts between social norms of blesser engagement to satisfy aspirations for money/material items vs. personal norms of retaining virginity and fidelity to partners. Women largely ignored adverse sexual health risks of HIV and unintended pregnancy. Participants highlighted internal conflicts, prompting reflection on their desires, choices and normative behaviors, also informing women’s self-concept, self-efficacy and desires for relationship satisfaction. Greater reflection from women about personal norms and values—and attention to their self-efficacy in relationships—may assist in understanding and advancing women’s holistic health and wellbeing in research and interventions among this population and potentially women in other settings.