Abstract:
The general aim of this study was to explore the impact of sexual aggression and the incidence of HIV/AIDS among male adolescents in Nkonkobe Municipality, Eastern Cape, South Africa. Specific aims were to:
• Explore the extent to which the cultural values and attitudes held by adolescent males contribute towards sexual aggression
• To analyse the consequences of sexual aggressive behaviour among adolescent males based on the statistical findings of the study.
Using the mixed method that was administered anonymously to and with consent from the two school principals of conveniently sampled110 adolescent males, aged 15-21 years, in Grade 10 to Grade 12, Phase 1 of the study became the quantitative research. The Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 18 was used to obtain descriptive and inferential statistics. Results from this study found that the null hypotheses were rejected in favour of following alternative hypotheses on 0.05 level of significance; Ha1: There is a statistically significant correlational relationship between adolescent males who have been forced in sexual intercourse by their friends in terms of sexual aggression and become perpetrators of sexual violence. Ha2: There is a statistically significant difference between adolescent males who talk about sex with their partners and sexually aggressive behaviour. Ha3: There is a statistically significant correlation relationship between adolescent males who receive sex-education from their educators and those who do not receive sex-education from their educators. In Phase 2 (qualitative research) the open-ended questionnaires were completed by 10 respondents and to identify the themes, the data was coded to bring the similarities. Hegemonic masculinity, conformity, alcohol abuse, physical punishment and imprisonment emerged as having impact on the well-being of adolescent males to be sexually aggressive and engage in risk-taking behaviour. Based on the findings of this study, further research is recommended in determining the self- esteem and sexual attitudes of adolescent males. Furthermore, more of sex-education at schools should be explicit and adolescent males be equipped in the areas of decision-making skills and self-efficacy with respect to condom-use.
