'Outward sex' : ways of managing morality in the construction of grinding

HIV is an ongoing public health concern in South Africa, particularly with regard to high rates of HIV infection among youth. We adopt the viewpoint that the study of sexual behaviour is most usefully framed in terms of sexual practice - where sexual behaviours are understood as constituted of socially negotiated meanings shaped in the context of complex interpersonal, social, cultural and historical factors. This study took grinding, a highly physical and sexual hip-hop dance, as a means to explore how youth explain their sexual practices. Seven participants were interviewed. Using discursive psychology and conversation analysis, we found that when participants constructed grinding as a sexual practice, their 'morality' became at stake and this was evidenced by the four ways in which they managed their morality: Norming, blaming external resources, reframing and contrasting. We propose that the morality of sexual practice was a central concern for our participants, and on a broader level any interventions regarding safe sexual practices need also to engage young people in dialogue regarding their identity and the moral conflicts and dilemmas they face.