Early Influences on African American Women's Sexuality

Abstract

Few researchers have examined the sexual values and attitudes of African American women. Through the use of focus group interviews, this study examined how African American women's sexual values and attitudes were shaped by their experiences with parental, peer, and cultural influences. The findings revealed that most of the participants were dissatisfied with the quality and quantity of sex education provided by caregivers and that this lack of information created barriers to intimacy in relationships. Future research needs to consider how racial/ethnic, cultural, socioeconomic, and geographical differences influence sexual values and attitudes.

Key Words:

• Sexuality
• sexual values
• sexual attitudes
• African American women
• women's sexuality
• black women
• black women's sexuality
• family influence
• peer influence
• sexuality education
• feminist family therapy research
• qualitative research