Page 18 - Bophelo - Edition Two | March 2025

Towards a Safer, More Respectful emphasised self-reliance and endurance over emotional
openness. As a result, when faced with mental distress,
Campus Culture these students were reluctant to seek help, opting instead
to bottle up their emotions. This internal struggle often
In the intricate landscape of South African higher manifested outwardly, with some resorting to violence as a
education, a silent crisis lurks among male students, means of expressing their frustration both in relationships
one that intertwines poor mental health, emotional [in] with female partners and in confrontations with peers.
expressiveness, reluctance to seek help, and violence
perpetration. A formative study conducted by the These findings emphasise a critical connection between
Gender and Health Research Unit of the South African mental health and violence among male students,

Medical Research Council (SAMRC) between 2018 and providing a foundation for the development of targeted

2019 delved into these troubling dynamics, engaging interventions. Recognising the co-occurrence of violence

88 male students aged 18 to 30 from various Technical perpetration and mental health issues in men who date
and Vocational Training colleges and universities. The women, a research team is now working on a combined
goal was clear: to uncover the contextual factors behind intervention funded by the Ford Foundation. This initiative
sexual violence perpetration and ultimately develop a aims to adapt and pilot evidence-based programs, such
mental health promotion and sexual violence prevention as Stepping Stones and Self-Help Plus, at one college
intervention tailored for male students.
and one university campus. The ultimate goal is to foster
healthier emotional expression among male students,
The findings paint a stark picture, revealing a pervasive improve their mental well-being, and significantly reduce
rape culture on South African campuses. Male students instances of sexual violence.
often express a sense of sexual entitlement toward their
female partners, coupled with a troubling normalisation As South African colleges and universities grapple with
of sexual harassment against their peers. Beneath these complex issues, addressing the intersections of
this toxic atmosphere lies a deeper issue: many male mental health, emotional inexpressiveness, and violence
students grapple with poor mental health, largely driven is imperative. By understanding the nuanced experiences
by financial stress. The weight of economic pressures has of male students, we can pave the way for interventions
left them feeling demotivated and disillusioned, affecting that not only enhance individual well-being but also
their academic performance. A prevalent theme in their contribute to a safer, more respectful campus culture. It
narratives is the anxiety over providing for their children is time to break the silence, confront these challenges
and families, often fuelled by expectations from the head-on, and cultivate a generation of men who value
mothers of their children who equate financial capability emotional health and respect in their relationships.
with personal worth.
Men’s Mental Resentment toward the South African government

with many expressing
recurring sentiment,
was
a
disappointment over the lack of job opportunities for
Black African youth from disadvantaged backgrounds.
Health: This hopelessness, coupled with societal pressures to
fulfil traditional masculine roles, creates a perfect storm for
mental health challenges, leading some students to
to
their
contributing
masculinity
the
and
question
development of depression.

The Hidden Crisis Fuelling Violence Anger and emotional dysregulation were significant
themes among the students. Many reported a struggle to
express their feelings, adhering to a cultural expectation
in South Africa’s Colleges of solidness that discourages vulnerability. This emotional
inexpressiveness can often be traced back to their
upbringing, where the messages surrounding masculinity

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16 THE SOUTH AFRICAN MEDICAL RESEARCH COUNCILTHE SOUTH AFRICAN MEDICAL RESEARCH COUNCIL THE COMMUNITY ISSUE 17