South African blessees’ lived experiences and perceptions of intergenerational sexual relationships

Background Intergenerational sexual relationships (IGSRs), often referred to as sugar-daddy or blesser-blessee relationships, involve sexual partnerships between older men and adolescent girls or young women, frequently with an age difference of ten years or more. While sometimes framed as consensual or aspirational, IGSRs are associated with psychological distress, gender-based power imbalances, and increased vulnerability to sexual exploitation, violence, and health risks. Despite the prevalence of these relationships in South Africa, there is limited research exploring the lived experiences, psychosocial impacts, and resistance strategies of young women involved. This study aimed to explore these experiences to inform prevention and intervention strategies. Methods A constructivist-interpretivist qualitative design was employed using a multiple case study and life-history approach. Four women aged 20–35 years, recruited through chain referral in Johannesburg and Pretoria, participated in at least three in-depth interviews each. Semi-structured interviews captured participants’ experiences over time, focusing on motivations, relational dynamics, and psychosocial consequences. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analysed using reflexive thematic analysis. Trustworthiness was ensured through prolonged engagement, peer debriefing, member checking, and audit trails. Results Four key themes emerged: (1) Divergent meanings of IGSRs, ranging from short-term financial gain to long-term aspirations such as education and career goals; (2) Structural vulnerability and family context, where economic hardship and single-parent households increased susceptibility, while supportive family structures acted as protective factors; (3) Psychological distress and coping, including emotional strain, loss of self-respect, and recovery through exiting these relationships; and (4) Normalisation through culture and social media, which glamorised IGSRs, though resistance was facilitated by mentorship, self-discipline, and institutional support. Conclusions IGSRs are multifaceted relationships shaped by socio-economic structures, psychological impacts, and cultural influences. Interventions addressing these relationships must be multi-level, integrating educational empowerment, economic strengthening, psychosocial support, and family engagement. By foregrounding the voices of adolescent girls and young women, this study highlights strategies to promote agency, resilience, and wellbeing, while mitigating the psychosocial risks associated with IGSRs.