Young women's understandings of (future) marriage: Links to sexual risk and HIV prevention

Abstract

abstract The widespread incidence of HIV and AIDS in South Africa forces us to examine all relationships and the institutions within which they exist. Marriage remains a fundamental institution through which sexual and social relations are forged. However, little is known of the ways in which HIV prevention manifests in the institution of marriage, particularly as marriage is regarded as a relatively safe sexual zone. In this briefing the focus is on young women students and the ways in which their understandings of (future) marriage are linked to sexual risk and HIV prevention. The data presented in this briefing draw on a larger study that aimed to explore young adults’ understandings of and preparedness for marriage, carried out with a diverse group of 208 fourth-year students (127 female and 81 male) at a South African university. Focusing on the young women in the study, the findings indicate that the majority see marriage as an important future goal. I argue that young women are constrained in their ability to prevent HIV infection in marriage due to the meanings they attached to marriage, being situated within restrictive cultural expectations and idealised notions that perpetuate gender inequalities which place women in subordinate positions.