Abstract

The term ‘blesser’ emerged from social media in South Africa, typically denoting an older man who provides a younger woman with money and/or luxury items in exchange for sex. Within an increasingly consumerist culture, such transactional sexual relationships hold powerful appeal, and remain highly prevalent. An estimated one in three Black South African women have engaged in transactional sex. While these liaisons are associated with negative health outcomes for women, especially in high HIV prevalence settings, attention to how they affect Black women’s sexuality is under-studied—especially with respect to emotional and sexual development—an important part of sexual rights and wellbeing. We used qualitative methods to investigate 22 women’s experiences with blessers. A sexual rights framework was utilised to explore human rights dimensions. We found women’s rights to engage in consensual sex, pursue sexual pleasure and ensure their bodily integrity were compromised. Many participants recognised the psychological costs and limitations of engaging in blesser relationships. Women communicated that they realised such partnerships failed to meet their emotional and relationship needs. Against the backdrop of structural gender inequality, Black South African women’s narratives should inform research, programmes and educational interventions aimed at advancing women’s sexual development, rights and wellbeing.

摘要

“祝福者”这个词出现在南非的社交媒体上，通常表示一个年长的男人为年轻女性提供金钱和/或奢侈品以换取性行为。在日益消费主义的文化中，这种交易性性关系具有强大的吸引力，并且仍然非常普遍。据估计，三分之一的南非黑人女性从事过性交易。虽然这些联络与女性的负面健康结果有关，尤其是在艾滋病毒高流行环境中，但对它们如何影响黑人女性性行为的关注研究不足——尤其是在情感和性发展方面——这是性权利和幸福的重要组成部分。我们使用定性方法调查了 22 名女性与祝福者的经历。一个性权利框架被用来探索人权层面。我们发现女性有权进行自愿性行为、追求性快感并确保她们的身体完整性受到损害。许多参与者认识到从事更幸福的关系的心理成本和局限性。女性表示，她们意识到这种伙伴关系无法满足她们的情感和人际关系需求。在结构性性别不平等的背景下，南非黑人妇女的叙述应为旨在促进妇女性发展、权利和福祉的研究、计划和教育干预提供信息。女性表示，她们意识到这种伙伴关系无法满足她们的情感和人际关系需求。在结构性性别不平等的背景下，南非黑人妇女的叙述应为旨在促进妇女性发展、权利和福祉的研究、计划和教育干预提供信息。女性表示，她们意识到这种伙伴关系无法满足她们的情感和人际关系需求。在结构性性别不平等的背景下，南非黑人妇女的叙述应为旨在促进妇女性发展、权利和福祉的研究、计划和教育干预提供信息。