{"product_id":"becoming-men-black-masculinities-in-a-south-african-township","title":"Becoming Men: Black masculinities in a South African township","description":"\u003cp\u003eIn this review of Becoming Men, Dr. Malose Langa presents a careful, long-term study of 32 boys from Alexandra, a large Johannesburg township, aimed at readers who want a grounded, human account of contemporary \u003cstrong\u003eblack masculinity in South Africa\u003c\/strong\u003e. The book's greatest strength is its sustained attention over twelve years, which reveals recurring patterns - ambivalence, self-doubt, family absence and the pressures of violence and unemployment - that make it essential reading for students, researchers and concerned citizens seeking an empathetic, evidence-based portrait rather than polemic.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eKey Features\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLongitudinal approach:\u003c\/strong\u003e Twelve years of follow-up give readers a rare sense of development and change in the boys' lives, showing how early experiences shape later choices.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFirsthand voices:\u003c\/strong\u003e The narrative relies on the boys' own accounts to illuminate topics such as relationships with mothers and absent fathers, giving an intimate perspective.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWide topic range:\u003c\/strong\u003e Issues including school violence, academic performance, homophobia and gangsterism are covered, offering a broad view of the social factors that affect masculinity.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eContextual analysis:\u003c\/strong\u003e As a psychologist and academic, Malose Langa situates individual stories within broader social and structural pressures, helping readers understand causes, not just symptoms.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAccessible writing:\u003c\/strong\u003e The prose communicates complex social science themes in readable terms, making the material usable for both specialists and general readers.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWho It's For\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis book is best for students and scholars in \u003cstrong\u003egender studies\u003c\/strong\u003e, sociology and psychology who need a case-based, qualitative account of black masculinities in a South African township context. It is also valuable for policy-makers and NGO workers seeking grounded knowledge to inform youth and gender programming.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eReaders seeking a statistical, quantitative study or a brief handbook of interventions should look elsewhere, as Becoming Men emphasizes narrative detail and long-term observation rather than isolated metrics or a prescriptive program guide.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003ePros \u0026amp; Cons\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePros\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDeep, long-term observation provides nuance that short studies often miss.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDirect quotations and stories make abstract social themes concrete and empathetic.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCross-cutting topics such as family dynamics, schooling and unemployment are linked clearly to identity formation.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCons\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe qualitative focus means readers looking for extensive statistical evidence will find limited numerical analysis.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTitle\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBecoming Men: Black masculinities in a South African township\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAuthor \/ Brand\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDr. Malose Langa\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSubjects\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBlack masculinity, gender studies, social sciences\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSetting\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAlexandra township, Johannesburg\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eStudy length\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTwelve years of observation\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eParticipants\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e32 boys followed in the study\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eOur Verdict\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBecoming Men is a valuable, human-centered study that should be read by anyone seeking an empathetic, evidence-informed understanding of young black masculinities in South Africa. Its twelve-year, participant-centered approach gives it lasting value for students, practitioners and policy-makers, though those needing heavy quantitative data may need to supplement it with additional sources.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDoes the book focus on one community?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYes. The study follows 32 boys from Alexandra, one of Johannesburg's largest townships, providing focused local insight.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat topics does it cover?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe book covers family relationships, school violence, academic performance, homophobia, gangsterism, unemployment and related themes.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs this a statistical study?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eNo. The book is qualitative and longitudinal, emphasizing personal narratives and contextual analysis rather than large-scale quantitative data.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Dr. Malose Langa","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48257869152475,"sku":"1776145712","price":111.1,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0724\/1043\/1707\/files\/91r40Q8wuIL._SL1500.jpg?v=1778297659","url":"https:\/\/gearmusthave.com\/products\/becoming-men-black-masculinities-in-a-south-african-township","provider":"GearMustHave","version":"1.0","type":"link"}