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The Latin roots of the word ‘moral' address the essence of what it is to be human: to be flourishing individuals within flourishing communities... we find our humanity through the humanity of others - we flourish through promoting the flourishing of others (Archbishop Thabo Makgoba, Moral State of the Nation Address, 3 February 2010) Research rationale Men throughout the world are frequently subject to negative representation. In the South African context this is no different. Men are, not always unfairly, portrayed as neglectful, profligate, abusive, sexually uncontrolled and violent. In addition, men who live in resource-poor environments face greater challenges to ‘getting it right' because financial provision is frequently put at the forefront of what it means to be ‘a good man'. On the other hand, the notion of ‘the good man' is a deeply and prevalently valued ideal - devoted son, loyal friend, diligent worker, loving father, and wise guardian. Yet, what it means, or even what it takes, to be ‘a good man' is seldom defined, empirically investigated, or deliberately promoted in interventions. A study focussing on men's morality as a ‘moral ecology' (in social context), and considering how ‘being good' is in fact an asset (or ‘capital'), has the potential to contribute to social cohesion in a society fragmented by political, technological and cultural change. It also holds promise for a country beset with problems around gender inequality, father absenteeism, criminality and corruption. Research objective With this motivation in mind, the HSRC has embarked upon a multi-year project to investigate masculine morality. Entitled ‘Men and Morality: Investigating the social, cultural and environmental requirements for a society with more than just a few good men', the research collaborative draws on a wide range of expertise from within the HSRC (including The Fatherhood Project) as well as various South African and international institutions. To date, 16 senior investigators and five research trainees are involved in the project from the HSRC, University of Cape Town, UNISA, Medical Research Council, University of KwaZulu Natal, University of Johannesburg, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine and University of Maryland, USA. Research questions The project seeks to identify new ways of thinking, researching, interpreting and implementing findings around morality for the benefit of society. Key questions that component studies will seek to answer include: What defines, and what does it take to be, a ‘good man', and in whose eyes? What indigenous and social constructions of manhood and morality exist, and in what complex ways do these intersect? What dimensions and parameters, including social, economic and political, does men's morality take? How does male moral identity develop over time and how have men's moral attitudes changed over the past 20 years?
It is envisaged that component studies include partnerships with active civic moral movements (such as the Moral Regeneration Movement, Heartlines, the African Fathers' Initiative, and campaigns such as Brothers for Life, One Love, and One Man Can); utilise young people in conducting research; and involve communities in public debate and negotiating forums. It is planned that the study culminates in national implementation and dissemination workshops that will form an evidence-base for civil society and government-led implementation initiatives in social development and education. Seed funding for the project was received from the Department of Science and Technology's grant to the HSRC, focused on the Grand Challenges of Human and Social Dynamics. Activities to date include a research symposium, the submission of numerous research proposals to funders and the preparation of a special issue of a journal. Research Activities and Outcomes to Date March Consultation During March 2009, a preparatory meeting was convened to discuss how the broad topic of ‘men and morality' afforded the opportunity to explore diverse yet related interests. It was suggested that the study cohere around a single, broad research question: What are the social, cultural and environmental requirements for a society with more than just ‘a few good men'? It was further agreed that this question be answered from a multidisciplinary perspective for different categories of men (fathers, young men, men who are employed/unemployed, incarcerated etc.). It is envisaged that a variety of empirical studies be undertaken using a variety of methodological approaches, and with a clearly elaborated conceptual framework that focuses on social context, and a moral way of being that embraces human freedom and agency, within the context of South Africa's challenges. November Symposium On the 5th and 6th of November, 2009, the HSRC hosted a research symposium entitled: "Men and Morality: Investigating the social, cultural and environmental requirements for a society with more than just a few good men". This was the next step in seeking to better understand the theoretical framework in which the Men and Morality study might be located, to reflect on existing work and consider proposals for a multidisciplinary and multiyear research agenda. It was envisaged that the symposium would facilitate the publication of papers in a special issue of a journal. A special issue of the Journal of Moral Education A special issue of the Journal of Moral Education is currently being prepared for September 2010 publication. The issue, "African moralities: Culture, economics, conflict and AIDS" addresses issues of ethics, morality and education from a uniquely African perspective. A special issue of the Journal of Gender Studies A proposal has been submitted to the Journal of Gender Studies for a special issue focussing on "Masculine Morality: A South African perspective." The proposed issue will add unique and fresh perspective to international debates around masculinity and morality and the juncture of the two. The articles herein will consider the structural determinants of men's morality, including powerlessness, poverty, capitalism and globalisation. In addition, content will consider intermediate associative structures which define public good and contribute to men's moral formation. The proposed special issue will comprise largely articles, some theoretical and based on systematic literature reviews, and others in which the authors ground their empirical research on innovative and interdisciplinary theoretical moral frameworks. Research Projects 1. In preparation: What defines, and what does it take to be, a ‘good man'? 2. In preparation: The relationship between male teachers and female students in schools, especially with regard to sexual relationships 3. In progress: How have men's moral attitudes changed over the past 20 years, and what life cycle effects can be determined? 4. Review of literature: How do (young) men's relationships with their mothers influence morality?
Public engagement strategy Academic forums Community debates Media events Multisectoral roundtables School events Members of the collaborative Dr Sharlene Swartz, Senior Research Specialist (Co-Principal Investigator) | The sociology of morality, youth and inequality. | Dr Jeremiah Chikovore, Senior Research Specialist, (Co-Principal investigator) | Fatherhood, men and culture in Southern Africa. | Professor Linda Richter, Executive Director, (Co-Principal investigator) | Fatherhood, early childhood development. | Professor Arvin Bhana, Deputy-Executive Director | Adolescence development and risk, substance use, mental health promotion. | Dr Monde Makiwane, Senior Research Specialist | Intergenerational studies. | Dr Nyameka Mankayi, Post Doctoral Fellow | Masculinities, military, gender | Ben Roberts, Research Specialist | Social attitudes. | Tawanda Makusha, Research Intern | Capacity development. | Admire Chirodzwa, Research Intern | Capacity development. | Professor Lebo Moletsane, Gender and Development Unit | Gender and sexuality, methodologies, human rights education, gender-based violence. | Professor Leickness Simbayi, Social aspects of HIV/AIDS | Social and behavioural aspects of HIV/AIDS, cultural practices, traditional healing, alcohol use, and gender violence. | Professor Nhlanhla Mkhize, Head, School of Psychology, UKZN | Social identity, moral action, moral development. | Professor Robert Morrell, School of Education, UKZN | Masculinities, men's movements. | Dr Vicky Hosegood, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, UKZN Africa Centre | Fatherhood, migration, HIV/AIDS. | Professor Rachel Jewkes, MRC | Intimate partner violence, sexual violence | Professor Graham Lindegger, School of Psychology, UKZN | Young men, emerging masculinity, HIV/AIDS | Dr Kopano Ratele, University of South Africa | Men, violence | Dr Sangeetha Madhavan, University of Maryland | Fatherhood, kinship | Dr Kevin Roy, University of Maryland | Fatherhood, kinship | Robert Mongwe, CYFSD HSRC | Capacity development. | Lynn Hendricks, Early Learning Resource Unit | Fatherhood, adolescence, risk behaviours and masculinities | Ingrid van der Heijden, CYFSD HSRC | | Busisiwe Magazi, CYFSD HSRC | | Vijay Hamlall, UKZN | | Professor Tammy Schefer, UWC | | Nyanda Khanhile, Sonke Gender Justice Network | | Dean Peacock, Sonke Gender Justice Network | | Desmond Lesejane, Sonke Gender Justice Network | | Allanise Cloete, SAHA HSRC | | Busisiwe Mncwango, KS HSRC | | Lolita Winnaar, KS HSRC | |
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