“Completing my PhD represents not just an academic achievement but also the triumph of perseverance, sacrifice, and resilience over every obstacle I faced.”
These are the words of Dr Valerie Reddy after earning her PhD in the School of Education. Reddy describes her PhD journey as deeply personal and transformative, rooted in a passion for social justice and a desire to challenge societal taboos.
The research produced several compelling insights that challenge stereotypes and broaden understanding, particularly regarding porn and power.
According to Reddy, the engagement with pornography was often linked to masculinity and sexual prowess, while girls were typically shamed or silenced. However, girls also used porn and masturbation to explore curiosity and pleasure, disrupting the narrative of female sexual passivity.
Reddy examined digital intimacies, noting that platforms like WhatsApp and Instagram are central to how young people navigate desire, love, and emotional intimacy. Gender norms shaped – but also enabled – creative expressions of sexuality through sexting, flirting, and image sharing. A case study of a young, Black, gay participant highlighted both the pressures of heteronormativity and the liberating potential of apps like Grindr, which offered spaces for connection, affirmation, and empowerment.
She said, “My research challenges narrow, taboo-driven understandings of young people’s sexuality and creates space for them to be recognised as active agents in digital spaces.”
Reddy used a mix of interviews, focus groups, drawings, and photo-elicitation. The study examined how young people construct and express their sexual identities online and offline. Guided by a new feminist materialist perspective, the research foregrounds the agency of youth in shaping their own narratives. She stated that “young people’s sexuality is relational, fluid, and full of both constraints and new possibilities.”
The road to a PhD was far from easy. Balancing full-time work and academic demands tested every ounce of Reddy’s resilience. Yet, her journey was filled with powerful moments – from presenting at national conferences to being published in prestigious journals. She expresses her immense gratitude to the South African Research Chairs Initiative (SARChl) for supporting her research and providing invaluable academic opportunities.
Reddy said: “Towards the latter part of my PhD, two personal milestones – getting married and falling pregnant with my daughter – made the experience even more special. She became part of my PhD story, turning an academic pursuit into a profoundly meaningful life chapter. My supervisors, Professor Deevia Bhana and Dr Shaaista Moosa, pushed me beyond my limits, believed in my capacity to succeed, and never allowed me to give up.”
Her goal is clear: to pursue a career in academia, mentor future scholars, and drive policy change grounded in the realities of young people. “I intend to contribute to policy debates, ensuring that young people’s realities inform inclusive curricula and educational reforms,” she added.
She shared a word of advice with her peers: never give up. Adding that, “The journey can be daunting, lonely, and at times overwhelming. But remember, every step forward, no matter how small, brings you closer to the finish line.”
Finally, she expressed her gratitude to her family and friends: “Your support means the world to me. I could not have achieved this milestone without your encouragement, patience, and unwavering belief in me. I will forever be grateful.”