"In my time, girls...": reflections of African adolescent girl identities and realities across two generations

Abstract

Four women who grew up in different contexts of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, during different periods of apartheid reflect on their adolescent years in relation to what girls' realities were. Through these reflections an attempt is made to examine how girlhood realities and constructions of femininities have changed (or not) over two generations. The article also explores whether and how their lived realities of girlhood had any impact in shaping their identities as women. Data collection and analysis was informed by the theory of the past, critical feminist theory, and identity as a concept. Through these women's memories we attempt to understand some of the discourses that have shaped - and continue to shape - the identities of adolescent girls in different contexts.