ABSTRACT
This chapter analyses interviews with 20 young black men, aged 18–24, in Somkhele in the KwaZulu-Natal province of South Africa. Young men were asked about how peer relations shaped masculinity goals around heterosexual conquests and the pressure to engage in sexual relations. The results indicate that masculinity is not a fixed concept but a dynamic construct. Young men often feel compelled to adhere to societal expectations of masculinity, which can influence their sexual behaviour. The research also suggests that the dominant form of masculinity, known as hegemonic masculinity, has a significant impact on how young men approach and engage in sexual activities. This pressure to conform to masculine ideals and demonstrate heterosexual dominance shapes their sexual conduct as they strive to prove their masculinity to themselves and others.
