Romantic Relationships Trajectories of African American Gay/Bisexual Adolescents

The interview study reported here sought to identify the perceived trajectory of romantic relationships of a cohort of Oakland African American gay/bisexual adolescents. Biographical interviews were used to identify cultural models of romantic relationships in the study sample and discovered a traje...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of adolescent research 2007-03, Vol.22 (2), p.107-131
Main Authors: Eyre, Stephen L., Milbrath, Constance, Peacock, Ben
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Acquired immune deficiency syndrome
Adolescents
African Americans
AIDS
Bisexuality
California
Couples
Cultural Influences
Gays & lesbians
Homosexual Relationships
Homosexuality
Infidelity
Interviews
Intimacy
Love
Males
Romantic relationships
Self Esteem
Sexual Behavior
Sexual Orientation
Sexually Transmitted Diseases
Social Environment
Teenagers
Youth
Youth Culture
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Summary:The interview study reported here sought to identify the perceived trajectory of romantic relationships of a cohort of Oakland African American gay/bisexual adolescents. Biographical interviews were used to identify cultural models of romantic relationships in the study sample and discovered a trajectory of four phases. In the antecedent to the trajectory, the youth enters the gay/bisexual social environment. In the first phase, the youth meets a male partner. In the second phase, the youth talks to the partner over a period of days or weeks. In the third phase, the couple enters into a boyfriend relationship and initiates sex. In the fourth phase, the couple experiences conflicts over infidelity and breaks up. As a consequence, the gay/bisexual youth experiences an aftermath that includes low self-esteem, trying to get back with the partner, and revenge sex. Each phase is described with informant quotations. Some implications for HIV prevention with these adolescents are discussed.
ISSN:0743-5584
1552-6895
DOI:10.1177/0895904805298417