Browsing by Subject "gender identity"

Now showing 1 - 5 of 5
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    A Third Gender in South Africa: Does the legal non-recognition of a third gender violate non-binary transgender person's Constitutional rights to dignity and equality?
    (2020) Sloth-Nielsen, Rachel; de Vos, Pierre
    This dissertation will attempt to answer question whether, in terms of the right to dignity in s10 and the prohibition of unfair discrimination in s9 of the South African Constitution, the State must recognise in law a third gender for transgender individuals who do not identify as either male or female. It does so, first, by asking whether the failure by the state to provide for the legal recognition of a third gender violates transgender person's right to dignity. Second, the enquiry proceeds to discuss whether s9(3) of the Constitution (which prohibits unfair discrimination on any ground, including on the listed grounds of sex, gender and sexual orientation) requires the state to recognise a third gender. After discussing the lived experiences of transgender persons in South Africa, the thesis reviews the terminology and concepts relevant to this area of study, in order to lay the foundation for the subsequent examination of relevant case law, the Constitutional Court's approach to dignity, and the analysis of the application of s(9)(3). I submit that transgender persons fall within the Constitutional Court's definition of a vulnerable group in that they have suffered past patterns of disadvantage, they constitute a minority in South Africa and are subject to stereotyping and bias. Despite the Constitutional Courts erroneous pronouncement that transsexualism falls under the umbrella of sexual orientation, it is argued, rather, that since the expression of their gender identity by gender nonconforming persons shares many of the characteristics of the specified grounds listed in s9(3), unfair discrimination can be found on a ground analogous to those grounds listed in the Constitution. The failure to allow for recognition of a third gender is thus under-inclusive. It cannot be justified under the limitations analysis. Further, if objections were to be raised by the state that recognition is not feasible or affordable and is, hence, justified, I conclude that because there are ways to accommodate individuals who do not identify as binary which are not unduly taxing on the State, this argument would fail.
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    Between/beyond the binaries: transgender youth in cape town re-present their experiences through photo-narratives
    (2018) Pitcher, Sorrel Claire; Boonzaier, Floretta
    Current literature about marginalised youth centres adult knowledges and perpetuates narratives of risk. Additionally, very little is known about young transgender persons within the South African context. Therefore, by making use of Photovoice elements, this narrative project sought to explore the lived experiences of transgender youth while simultaneously creating a space where they could discuss and re-present these experiences. The project aimed to challenge dominant narratives about transgender youth; youth gender and sexuality, and to expand transgender research in South Africa. This project also aimed to contribute to the empowerment of participants by positioning them as experts and centring their knowledges. The study was conducted in partnership with an LGBTIQ+ advocacy NGO and purposive sampling was used to recruit five trans-identifying participants between the ages of 18-26. In-depth interviews were conducted around what it means to be a young transgender person in Cape Town today, and the photographs participants took to represent these experiences. All data were analysed using thematic narrative analysis. The overarching thematic narratives that emerged were: ‘Navigating Identities’ and ‘Living within/out the Cistem’. Within these themes, participants drew on narratives of rigidity/fluidity, exclusion/belonging, and invisibility/hypervisibility respectively. The findings illustrate the complexity of experiences of transgender youth and thus demonstrates that young peoples’ lives are comprised of more than inherent risk. This project also provided an opportunity to critically reflect on Photovoice as a methodology for working with marginalised groups.
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    Evaluating an androgynous brand extension: the gender identity/ gendered brand relationship and influencing factors
    (2015) Ringas, Astrid; Botha, Elsamari; Reyneken Mignon
    Gender identification behaviour has altered drastically within the last decade. Consequently, there has been a noteworthy rise in the amount of androgynous individuals. Gender identity congruity theory posits that individuals display more favourable behavioural outcomes towards brands that possess similar images or identities to their own. Further, contemporary consumers express their identities via their brand choices. Thus, there is a strong implication that introducing an androgynous brand could prove to be a lucrative strategy for marketers. However, gendering brands as either masculine or feminine prevails as the most commonly employed strategy to differentiate a brand and appeal to target audiences. Introducing androgynous brands through a brand extension could prove to be less risky and costly than introducing such a brand as a novel, stand-alone offering. This study examined gender identity's potential influence on the evaluation of an androgynous brand extension. Further, it investigated the potential influence of three key factors on this central relationship: self-concept, product category and the gender of the parent brand. With regard to these moderators, it was posited that first, if the brand's image aligned with one's self-concept the evaluation of the androgynous brand extension would be more favourable. Distinction was made between actual and ideal self-concept. Second, a distinction could be made between functional and symbolic product categories with regards to the influence that gender identity exerted on brand extension evaluation. And third, that the gender of the parent brand would influence the evaluation of the androgynous brand extension. Subsequently, a 2 x 2 factorial design experiment was administered to a quota-controlled non-probability sample of Generation Y consumers. The findings demonstrated that gender identity influences the evaluation of an androgynous brand extension. Furthermore, self-concept moderated this relationship between gender identity and brand extension evaluation. The product category wherein the androgynous brand extension was implemented was evidenced to affect individuals' evaluation of the brand extension, with the one introduced in the symbolic product category receiving more favourable evaluations than the extension introduced in the functional category. The gender of the parent brand exerted no influence on brand extension evaluation, where androgynous brand extensions from both feminine and masculine parent brands were evaluated similarly. Self-concept also exerted an effect on brand extension evaluation, with ideal self-concept exerting a stronger influence than actual self-concept. Lastly, individuals were shown to prefer an androgynous brand to a masculine or feminine one. The principal inference resulting from this research is that marketers should strongly consider introducing an androgynous brand extension should they possess a feminine masculine brand within the clothing, deodorant, or similar products categories. Respondents evaluated the androgynous brand extension favourably across both assessed product categories and regardless of whether the brand extension was introduced from a masculine or feminine parent brand. This was observed for all gender identity segments. It is imperative that managers take gender identity and self-concept into account as these identity aspects exert noteworthy influences on individuals' consumption behaviours. However, managers should take note of the evidenced interaction between gender identity and self-concept. Where individuals perceive there to be a high level of congruence between their self-concept and the androgynous brand extension, individuals with high levels of masculinity should not be targeted as they displayed negative evaluations of the brand extension.
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    (Un)-African: queering South Africas approach to SOGI rights
    (2022) Berry, Neil Alexander; Smith, Karen
    This study uses Queer Theory to explore the inconsistencies in South Africa's approach to the international protection of people of non-normative sexual orientations and gender identities (SOGI). It seeks to understand why South Africa's support for SOGI rights in the international system has been inconsistent, by answering the following question: How can we understand South Africa's inconsistent approach to sexual orientation and gender identity (SOGI) rights in the United Nations using Queer Theory? Using queer critical discourse analysis and Weber's queer logics of statecraft (Weber, 2016a; 2016b), SOGI rights discourses were studied at three levels. Firstly, the genesis of SOGI rights adoption within the post-apartheid South African policy and legislative frameworks. Secondly, providing contextual background, across the African continent since 1994. Thirdly, within dedicated SOGI debates at the UN General Assembly and UN Human Rights Council since 2011, focussing on South African and African Group contributions. This analysis determined that SOGI rights have been challenged by claims of cultural, historical and religious traditions, which on the African continent have been framed as un-African and a rejection of neocolonialism from the global North. Despite the fallacy of this un-African claim, it has impacted on South Africa as it sought to re-establish its Africanness and anti-neocolonial credentials whilst also promoting its moral leadership on human rights. It has further been established that the South African approach to SOGI rights was informed by the demands of local rather than international SOGI rights NGOs. This approach has disappointed those who anticipate the Western model of SOGI rights promotion, which South Africa has critiqued for its coercive and counter-productive punitive measures. By using Queer Theory, this study concluded that South Africa's identity can be understood beyond monolithic binaries, that South Africa's support for SOGI rights in the UN has endeavoured to find a balance between the competing aims of SOGI rights and African solidarity by presenting itself as an African and/or un-African state. This study contributes to the emerging Queer Theory literature within International Relations and to literature on queer African sexualities and genders, human rights, and foreign policy.
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    Writing your World Week 1 - Woodward on identity: Roots and routes
    (2019-06-01) Hutchings, Catherine; Woodward, Kath
    This video focuses on a discussion with Professor Woodward on identity in relation to the world we live in. The professor talks about how personalities are linked to the world that we live in. She then discusses how people use identities to operate within the world and the relevant restrictions. The video goes on to talk about how people share identities and are able to make sense of who they are in relation to others and the world they live in. Then it discusses the embodiment of identities. This is followed up by a discussion on culture, religion and gender. This is video 5/9 in week 1 of the Writing your World course.