Narratives surrounding infidelity in Gauteng, South Africa

Dataset within this study was collected around Gauteng province, South Africa. The sample size of of 16 (10 females and 6 males) participants amongst the youth (aged 20-30), and 5 (5 females) key informants (psychologists, counsellors, and social workers of any age). 2 focus groups were also conducted, however these only included youth members and had 5-8 members in each group. All participants had to have experienced infidelity in their past/present relationships, whilst key informants had to have encountered clients who experienced infidelity in their past/present relationships. 

This study was a qualitative study using one-on-one interviews and 2 focus groups. The data revealed that there were various constructs (such as gender, race, culture and upbringing) influencing the ways in which infidelity is reacted to and perceived by individuals. Within African countries specifically, men are encouraged to have multiple partners and engage in infidelity, as multiple partners is linked to men's masculinity. Women on the other hand are encouraged to have only 1 partner, and refrain from promiscuity as women need to stay loyal to their unfaithful partners. Men cannot easily express their emotions when encountering a traumatic experience such as infidelity. Men who express their emotions are seen as 'frail and weak'. Women on the other hand, are allowed to openly express themselves when faced with trauma such as infidelity. The gendered barriers and divisions were identified and discussed within this study, and its role in influencing how infidelity is reacted to and perceived by individuals.