A human security analysis of issues affecting boys and young men in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

This paper is based on a follow-up study to an earlier one which focused on girls and young women in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Similar to that study, the follow-up study aimed to understand issues affecting boys and young men in the province. The study also aimed to identify possible programmatic interventions to improve the quality of life of this sub-population in the province. The analysis is contextualised from the perspective of the human security framework, which underscores people-centred approaches to development.|The mixed methods approach was adopted for the collection and analysis of qualitative and quantitative data. Qualitative data was derived from 16 indepth interviews and 9 focus group discussions, involving key stakeholders. Quantitative data was gathered through a survey of 240 randomly sampled boys and young men. The quantitative data was statistically analysed, using computer-based software, the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). The qualitative data was on the other hand analysed, using content analytical methods, focusing on thematic and hermeneutic analyses. The results show that many boys and young men have no access to economic opportunities, which invariably drives them towards socially undesirable behaviors, with serious psychosocial and sociological consequences, including sexual abuse and violent crime. This notwithstanding, evidence shows that majority of them have positive attitudes, perceptions and values, which as the paper concludes, with appropriate support can be harnessed for their own good, as well as their communities'.