Abstract
Gender-Based Violence (GBV) continues to be a significant concern in South Africa, especially among female university students. The unintentional maintenance of some hegemonic masculinities at universities perpetuates GBV. Most forms of GBV, such as sexual assault and rape, centre around sexual consent. Hence, we need to understand what sexual consent is and how it is asked, given, and interpreted. This study explores how young adults at a South African university understand, construct, negotiate and experience consent in heterosexual relationships and how power dynamics influence perceptions regarding the importance of obtaining consent. Ten female undergraduate students between the ages of 18- 22 years participated in semi-structured, one-on-one interviews.
Findings revealed that participants generally understood and conceptualised sexual consent as an agreement and permission between two individuals. The study also showed that they communicated and interpreted sexual consent using non-verbal and passive communication. However, when it came to refusing to engage in sexual activities, most participants used verbal communication and actions to indicate their refusal. In contrast, some used silence to indicate their willingness or refusal to engage in sexual acts. Remaining silent does not show one’s internal feelings or external behaviours of willingness which often leads to misconceptions by men.
Although some participants advocated for equality in heterosexual relationships, most indicated that their boyfriends were the initiators of sexual activity and negotiations. Their unwillingness to take the initiative stems from their socialisation into gendered discourses and norms that affirm men as initiators of sex. The refusal by most participants to start sexual negotiation processes echoed how traditional gendered patriarchal roles continue to influence intimate sexual relationships. As much as they wished to see a change in power dynamics between partners, the young women were not willing to be the change. Findings also revealed that unequal power dynamics foster male dominance in heterosexual relationships that impact women by limiting their agency and autonomy in negotiating consent. Although young women understand what consent is and when it should be asked and given or refused, inequality in power limits the women to express and negotiate consent effectively. Overall, female students’ narratives reiterate the need to debunk patriarchal arrangements and raise awareness of the importance of communication and negotiation skills in sexual relationships. In conclusion, it is imperative to address challenges associated with consent because they are the foundations for establishing sexual rights.