The Role of the Strong Black Woman in Black Female Sexual Development

Black girls and women are disproportionately impacted by sexual health disparities, including an increased risk of HIV and sexually transmitted infections (STI). Early sexual development among Black females heightens their risk of HIV/STI. Utilizing the Becoming a Sexual Black Woman (SBW) framework,...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Archives of sexual behavior 2023-05, Vol.52 (4), p.1389-1402
Main Authors: Crooks, Natasha, Barrie, Rabiatu, Singer, Randi, Donenberg, Geri
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Behavioral Science and Psychology
Black or African American
Black people
Female
Females
Girls
Health Risk Behaviors
Health risks
HIV Infections
Humans
Original Paper
Psychology
Public Health
Qualitative research
Sexual Behavior
Sexual Development
Sexual health
Sexually Transmitted Diseases
Social Sciences
STD
Women
Womens health
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Summary:Black girls and women are disproportionately impacted by sexual health disparities, including an increased risk of HIV and sexually transmitted infections (STI). Early sexual development among Black females heightens their risk of HIV/STI. Utilizing the Becoming a Sexual Black Woman (SBW) framework, this study sought to understand how early sexual development and stereotype messages may underpin HIV/STI risk, building on and furthering the discussion of the consequences of the SBW schema. To better understand this phenomenon, we conducted a secondary thematic data analysis from two previously completed grounded theory studies with Black girls and women ranging in age from 11 to 62 ( N  = 40). Findings revealed that Black women have been socialized to be strong and independent and yet are highly vulnerable to HIV/STI. This clash between Black girl's and women's ideals of strength and heightened vulnerability to HIV/STI presents a paradox that may help explain disparities in HIV/STI risk. Four themes emerged among both Black girls and women: complex construction of the SBW schema, burden and consequences of strength, pressure to be strong, and being strong and sexual. Findings also highlight how becoming both a strong and sexual Black woman occurs over the life course and is inherent to Black female sexual development. We discuss the implications of these findings for parents, healthcare providers, educators, and researchers with the aim to improve sexual health outcomes for Black females across the life course.
ISSN:0004-0002
1573-2800
DOI:10.1007/s10508-023-02529-2