"It's More Like the Girl Doesn't Really Have to Do Anything": Hispanic College Women's Sexual Initiation Strategy Perceptions

• Published in: Journal of latinx psychology 2024-11, Vol.12 (4), p.394-411
• Main Authors: Stephens, Dionne P., Bravo, Elsa I., Castillo Perez, Juan Sebastian, Valentin, Karina, Selva, Gloria
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: College Students; Empowerment; Female; Human; Intimacy; Latinos/Latinas; Strategies; Student Attitudes
• ISSN: 2578-8086; 2578-8094
• DOI: 10.1037/lat0000261

Identifying Hispanic college women's perceptions of their ability to initiate sexual intimacy is critical given findings showing it can be a protective factor against sexual assault and other negative outcomes. Although research has shown sexually assertive behaviors are increasingly becoming normalized among women across college contexts, research specifically focused on Hispanic women's perceptions of these behaviors remains limited. Guided by sexual scripting theory, this study examines 36 Hispanic college women's subjective perceptions of women's initiation of sexual intercourse with men. Two key themes were identified through thematic analysis: (a) perceptions of women's sexual assertiveness and (b) appropriate strategies for initiating sexual intimacy. Although traditional gender beliefs did influence their beliefs, being sexually assertive was viewed as an acceptable strategy by most participants. However, fears of violating norms communicated via familial, peer, and cultural messaging influenced women's ability to initiate intimacy with men. These findings highlight the importance of developing interventions targeting gender and contextual beliefs to increase healthy sexual initiation skills and reduce risk for unwanted sexual experiences among Hispanic women on campuses today. Identificar las percepciones de las mujeres universitarias hispanas sobre su capacidad para iniciar la intimidad sexual es muy importante dados los hallazgos que muestran que esta capacidad puede ser un factor de protección contra el abuso sexual y otros resultados negativos. Aunque la investigación ha demostrado que los comportamientos sexualmente asertivos (decididos/firmes) se están normalizando cada vez más entre las mujeres en contextos universitarios, la investigación enfocada específicamente en las percepciones de las mujeres hispanas de estos comportamientos sigue siendo limitada. Guiado por la teoría del guión sexual, este estudio examina las percepciones subjetivas de 36 mujeres universitarias hispanas sobre la iniciación de las relaciones sexuales con hombres. A través del análisis temático se identificaron dos temas clave: (1) percepciones de la asertividad (confianza) sexual de las mujeres; y (2) estrategias apropiadas para la iniciación de la intimidad sexual. Aunque las creencias tradicionales de género influyeron en sus creencias, la mayoría de las participantes consideraron que ser asertivas (firmes) sexualmente era una estrategia aceptable. Sin embargo, el