Black Women with Multiple Sex Partners: The Role of Sexual Agency

Abstract

Motivations of low-income substance using heterosexual Black women in New York City for having multiple sexual partners are explored in this paper. Analysis of in-depth interviews with 50 study participants demonstrates that their relationships consisted of those who had: (1) a main sex partner and a secondary sex partner; or (2) two or more “casual” partners. Individual-level motivations for extra relational sex fell into four dominant themes: sexual pleasure, partner infidelity, sex exchange and past main partners. Using a Black feminist framework, we describe how participants displayed considerable autonomy by actively forming and withdrawing from sexual relationships with men. However, women described low rates of condom use with main partners and inconsistent use of condoms with more casual sexual partners. This contradiction becomes an important area for sexual health interventions. Women who had sexual relations with only one current mate in the past two years were recruited as a monogamous comparison group.

Race-Based Sexual Stereotypes, Gendered Racism, and Sexual Decision Making Among Young Black Cisgender Women

“…This analysis of YBW’s experiences of gendered racism and agency illustrates the cultural context of the sexual socialization of Black women (Campos et al, 2016; Stephens & Phillips, 2005). The women in the study expressed that their attractiveness to male partners depended on cultural scripts that were hyperfeminine and sexual (Stephens & Phillips, 2005) and stereotypes were exemplified in sexual interactions with men.…”

“…Previous research has shown that there is a connection between internalization of negative stereotypes, low selfesteem, and engaging in risky sexual behaviors among Black women (Peterson et al, 2007;Prather et al, 2016;Thomas et al, 2004). Repeated social stigma can be internalized, and therefore challenge Black women's efforts toward fostering healthy relationships with their sex partner(s) (Campos et al, 2016;Davis & Tucker-Brown, 2013;Pahl et al, 2020). These negative social stereotypes and depictions of such stereotypes create a discourse around Black women's sexuality which normalize sexual scripts threatening sexual health decision making (Fritz et al, 2020;Townsend et al, 2010).…”

Social Capital and Risk of Concurrent Sexual Partners Among African Americans in Jackson, Mississippi

“…One study in Jackson, MS found that women were more likely to engage in sexual concurrency if they had one or more partners with a history of incarceration [51]. One study that used a Black feminist framework analyzed qualitative data posited that some African American women may engage in concurrent sexual partnership as a form of resistance to male-dominated sexual norms within society [69]. However, although autonomy may be important for self-esteem and resilience, studies have shown low or inconsistent use of preventive selfreported HIV risk behaviors among women who engaged in those relationships, which is problematic for HIV prevention [69,70].…”

Reframing Sexual Health for Black Girls and Women in HIV/STI Prevention Work: Highlighting the Role of Identity and Interpersonal Relationships

“…Another study looking at a sample of Black women found that motivations for having sex with multiple male partners or having extra-relational sexual encounters included economic advancement and stability and emotional benefits [66]. Together, the findings in this area highlight a gap in the literature of a well-rounded understanding of how Black girls and women view the activity of sex and sexual behavior and the agency they may lack in their relationships with men.…”