AIDS and Masculinity in the African City: Privilege, Inequality, and Modern Manhood, Robert’s first book, examines how the long-standing AIDS epidemic has shaped gender and sexuality in Africa, especially African masculinities. Inspired by the rich tradition of urban ethnography in sociology, Robert’s book is based on a decade of ethnographic research in Bwaise, a slum in Kampala, the capital of Uganda.
Robert’s research involved working as an apprentice carpenter, volunteering at a community health clinic, and interning with a local NGO focused on preventing domestic violence. With fieldwork spanning 2004-2015, this book provides a rare window on to the changing lives of urban Africans in the age of AIDS.
AIDS and Masculinity in the African Cityreveals some challenges to, but the ultimate persistence of, men’s sexual privileges in the age of AIDS–a finding that provides an important corrective to the conventional portrayal of Uganda as Africa’s great AIDS success story.
Awards for AIDS and Masculinity in the African City
American Anthropological Association, Society for Medical Anthropology 2017 Eileen Basker Prize, Winner
American Sociological Association, Sex and Gender Section 2017 Distinguished Book Award, Honorable Mention
American Sociological Association, Human Rights Section 2017 Gordon Hirabayashi Human Rights Distinguished Book Award, Honorable Mention
Reviewed in:American Journal of Sociology, Contemporary Sociology, American Ethnologist, Medical Anthropology Theory, Journal of Modern African Studies, African Journal of AIDS Research, Wagadu, City & Society, Choice, Environment and Urbanization, Centre for Medical Humanities
Media Coverage: Public News Service (U.S. national), The East African (East Africa region), New Vision (Uganda national), The Monitor (Uganda national), African Arguments, La Marea (Spanish language)
AIDS and Masculinity in the African City: Privilege, Inequality, and Modern Manhood , Robert’s first book, examines how the long-standing AIDS epidemic has shaped gender and sexuality in Africa, especially African masculinities. Inspired by the rich tradition of urban ethnography in sociology, Robert’s book is based on a decade of ethnographic research in Bwaise, a slum in Kampala, the capital of Uganda.
robert wyrod 