Dialogical Selves and Intersectional Masculinities: Image-and-Interview Research with South African Adolescents

Abstract

This contribution describes the theoretical framework formulated in a qualitative research project done with South African adolescent boys, an exposition of these projects and implications for research and interventions. A Dialogical Self Theory (DST) perspective on Gender Relations Theory (GRT) was used in conceptualising masculine identity and in the theoretical integration of findings. Aligning a DST perspective with GRT produced an integrative account of masculine identity positioning in contexts time and space and in intersection with other identities. This approach was useful in identifying how participants positioned masculine identities in relation to hegemonic masculinity with implications for transforming masculinity. Examples are discussed of how DST-derived positioning processes can apply to the positioning of a masculine identity, conceptualised from a GRT perspective. Implications of the research for theory, research, intervention programmes and the compatibility of participant visual research methods with DST are included.