Browsing by Author "Jonas, Ruth"

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    Who's got the power? : a practical theological reflection on the power relations in the "Blesser" phenomenon amoung female adolescence in South Africa
    (Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2019-12) Jonas, Ruth; Cloete, Anita Louisa; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Theology. Dept. of Practical Theology and Missiology.
    ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This study explores the “Blesser” phenomenon, a gender-sensitive social phenomenon characterised by the lavish lifestyles of certain female adolescents and affluent older/married men. It started spreading rapidly when female adolescents and young women, or “Blessees”, began to post pictures or videos on social media of how to maintain an extravagant lifestyle by finding a “Blesser”. These images uploaded by “Blessees” created a socially constructed platform for this phenomenon to become the norm among certain female adolescents. This phenomenon is critically scrutenised from the perspective of prostitution to describe how the practice of monetary compensation in return for a sexual act has been, perceived differently overtime and eventually resulted in the so-called “sugar-daddy” culture and, later, the “Blesser” phenomenon. The various perceptions of sexual commerce are analysed with reference to different social factors that have contributed to the popularity of the “Blesser” phenomenon. This phenomenon particularly motivates young female adolescents in need of essential means of survival or maintenance. Nevertheless, even young women with constrained access to resources rely on a “Blesser” to further improve their education and secure employment and business opportunities. The analysis of sexual commerce specifically focuses on the gender component, which is the main driver of the causes and effects of the socio-economic conditions, in South Africa. The gender phenomenon has been, shaped by a patriarchal history that continues to dominate culture, society and the economy. This study explores young female adolescents’ increasing desire for material possessions, and how they, derive emotional and artistic joy from consumer experiences. In essence, the stimulus of the sexual act becomes a means of survival when the female body, is used to, solicit a monetary gift. This need for lavishness and extravagance is investigated and described at a deeper level, exploring how female adolescents, get caught up, in a “sexual game” with affluent men, who enforce a patriarchal notion of providence. This study also explores the effect of an age-disparate relationship on the expansion of the “Blesser” phenomenon, as well as its impact on female adolescents’ health and behaviour. Defenceless, immature female adolescents’ willingness to consider a self-determined monetary sexual relationship exposes most of them to the risk of HIV/Aids and other sexually transmitted diseases, and even possible pregnancy. The health factor is, discussed based on the bio- psychosocial model of well-being. This model explains the connection between people and their environment, their mental condition and societal issues that either predict or cause disease, or point to a healthy and fulfilling life. While the study mainly focuses on female adolescents it, acknowledged that males may be equally vulnerable. In addition, the study attempts to understand the link between the “Blesser” phenomenon and youth culture, particularly the use of social media. Social media are analysed as a key part of youth culture, playing a major role in the existence and expansion of the “Blesser” phenomenon. The study considers how culture inspires adolescents to build exceptional identities, which are then, expressed on a diverse range of self-fashioned platforms to clarify or articulate their own sexuality in a consumer culture. The youth’s mind-set is, explored and understood based on their creative discovery of a subculture. The theoretical description uses culture to understand sexual relationships based on an evaluation of adolescents, both, in South Africa and the rest of the world. This evaluation examines sexual awareness in the “Blesser” phenomenon from the perspective of adolescents’ sexual development and ethical conduct. The crux of the study is, founded on French historian and philosopher Foucault’s explanation of the power phenomenon in relationships. The notion of power is evident from female adolescents’ uncompromising behaviour and verbal declarations that they hold the power in the “Blesser” relationship. Foucault’s explanation of power suggests that the person with the least or lowest form of influence in fact also has power. This form of power takes precedence over those with real authority. Foucault also includes the gender concept in his explanation to explore the complexities of gender relations. Based on this it, identified how and why a pyramid of gender relations occur by considering masculinity and femininity. The study touches on the patriarchal origins of gender, as well as subsequent gender differentiation. The historical entrenchment of patriarchy has influenced people’s mind-set and has caused women’s position in society to be, understood as inferior and subservient. Following the discussion of the effect of power in the “Blesser” phenomenon, the focus shifts to how “Blessees” understand power in these relationships. Power is, understood from the perspective of a dominant patriarchal system and the complexities of gender, and how this has led women to regard men as the providers of material possessions. To “Blessees”, power is located in a sexy, desirable body and the creativity to use this to attract men. Sexuality is, understood as physical desirability. In interpreting sexuality from the perspective of spirituality, the study also finds that “Blessees” in no way connect their material “blessings” from their “Blessers” to religion. Practical theology and a feminist theology of praxis are, applied to understand the importance of the body in relation to sexuality and spirituality. The contextual relation of the body is, explained with reference to the understanding of spirituality and the impact of this generational perspective on adolescents. Looking through the lenses of practical theology, body theology and a feminist theology of praxis, a deepened understanding of sexuality and spirituality is, obtained. To this end, the sacredness of the body is, examined to understand the interconnectedness of sexuality and spirituality. This deepened understanding is, considered with reference to the religious view of patriarchy and the way in which patriarchy has been, perpetuated by the Christian church. For years, Christian families abided by this notion, which has subsequently become the social norm. The way in which the church has dealt with culture and violence against women and children in society are thoroughly studied. Christianity is strongly associated with the construction and upholding of patriarchy, which has resulted in the oppression of women. The study concludes with findings and suggestions on how families, adolescents, society, the education sector and the church could collaborate in developing a gender-sensitive youth and upholding a sound value system.