What matters to girls and boys in a black primary school in South Africa

Abstract

This article focuses on the construction of gender identities among young boys and girls in a black primary school. Against the backdrop of food insecurity, young boys’ and girls’ vulnerability to violence and to using violence as a means of getting food is increased. Violence is a clear manifestation of gender inequalities. Drawing on data derived from an ethnographic exploration of children’s gender identities in the first years of primary schooling, this article examines how violence underscores much of social relations amongs boys and girls. The article further illustrates how different forms of masculinities and femininities are constructed. Violence is not the domain of boys only. Girls too take on violent femininities. The implications of recognizing children’s gendered and violent cultures are discussed briefly in the concluding part of the paper.

Keywords:

• Poverty
• Young children
• Gender identities
• Violence

Notes

* University of KZN‐Natal, School of Education, Private Bag X03, Ashwood 3605, South Africa. Email: [email protected]

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Deevia Bhana *

* University of KZN‐Natal, School of Education, Private Bag X03, Ashwood 3605, South Africa. Email: [email protected]