Does the flirting behaviour of a selection of black South African youths differ from Western perspectives on flirting: An exploration

Abstract

Research shows that flirting is found in all cultures and societies. However, very little
research has been conducted on the differences in the courtship and flirting behaviour
of people from diverse cultures. Like all other communication behaviour, flirting behaviour
varies from culture to culture, and acceptable flirting behaviour in one culture might be
viewed as inappropriate in another. Likewise, because all forms of communication are
dynamic, generation gaps may lead to conflict as a result of differences in opinion about
the appropriateness of certain behaviours. Thus, the patterns of flirting behaviour are
culture-specific and even generation-specific. Although there are research findings
available on flirting behaviour in Western and Eastern cultures, very few scholars have
researched flirting behaviour in African cultures. This article provides a brief summary
of existing research findings. In order to gain insight into culture-specific views and
opinions, a qualitative research design in the form of focus group interviews with a
selection of black South African youths was utilised. The primary aim of the study is to
explore the similarities and differences between the flirting behaviour of a selection of
South African youths from an African background and Western research findings on flirting
behaviour. Secondary aims are to explore whether some black South African youths’
perceptions of acceptable flirting behaviour differ from their interpretation of their
parents’ views, and to utilise a qualitative research design in order to identify useful and
appropriate variables that could be tested quantitatively in follow-up studies. It is
cautiously concluded that there are both similarities and differences between the reported
flirting behaviour of South African youths from an African background and Western
research findings on flirting behaviour. Furthermore, most of the participants indicated
that the flirting behaviour they exhibit is unlikely to be viewed as proper behaviour by
their parents