Hip Hop Honey or Video Ho: African American Preadolescents’ Understanding of Female Sexual Scripts in Hip Hop Culture

Abstract

This qualitative study identifies African American preadolescents' acceptance and usage of Stephens and Phillips (2003) sexual scripts-the Diva, Gold Digger, Freak, Dyke, Gangster Bitch, Sister Savior, Earth Mother, and Baby Mama. These eight sexual scripts were found to be recognized and have shared meanings about sexual behaviors for participants. In turn, these were found to influence participants' conceptualizations of their own and general African American female sexuality, which differed significantly according to gender. Findings from this study are particularly important given the lack of research on sexual scripting among this population, filling a void of knowledge related to race and intraethnic variations in beliefs and attitudes about sexuality.

The Effects of Images of African American Women in Hip Hop on Early Adolescents’ Attitudes Toward Physical Attractiveness and Interpersonal Relationships

“…In an earlier study of African American adolescents' responses to these sexual images, we (Stephens & Few, 2007) found that the descriptive titles and associated behaviors were universally identifiable and understood. This negotiation of these eight cultural images and interpersonal level messages relies on individuals' understanding of their own identity's relationship to the sexual images and the internalization messages (Stephens & Phillips, 2005).…”

“…African American adolescents' ideas about the self as a racial minority are developed through the understanding of symbols and meanings of their position within their family, community, or society. For example, prior research has shown that parents are the primary socialization forces for developing African American adolescents' positive attitudes toward physical attractiveness and cultural beliefs or norms (see Stephens & Phillips, 2003Stephens & Few, 2007). Peers are also important for shaping ideas about racial and cultural norms.…”

“…Culturally-based sexual images are projected in African American Hip Hop youth culture, and variations have been identified by Stephens and Phillips (2003). As visual cues used to categorize norms regarding appropriate sexual beliefs and behaviors, these sexual images are useful for identifying the meanings and values African American youth give to race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, beauty, and interpersonal relationships in the context of sexuality (Stephens & Few, 2007;Stephens & Phillips, 2003). For instance, the internalization of racialized sexual images may influence ideas about the physical attractiveness of potential mates and how individuals should interact in intimate interpersonal relationships.…”

Life Pathways of Haitian-American Young Adults in South Florida

“…Hale's definition reminds us that identity is a broad term referring to a wide variety of reference points which individuals attach themselves to. Thus, identity operates simultaneously across multiple axes of identification, including gender, nationality, class, race, and ethnicity (Alleyne 2002;Lopez 2003a;Lopez 2003b;Massey and Sánchez R. 2010;Rahier 1999b;Stephens and Few 2007;Stepick, Dutton Stepick, and Vanderkooy Forthcoming;Warikoo 2011). After establishing a theoretical context for the discussion, I then turn to a brief overview of several key areas within the identification literature.…”

“…Thus, identifications occur within a specific historical, contextual, and temporal setting (Hintzen and Rahier 2003;Rahier, Hintzen, and Smith 2010;Stephens and Few 2007;Stephens and Phillips 2005;Stephens, Phillips, and Few 2009;Thomas and Clarke 2006). In order to better understand the emergence of current perspectives and theories of identification, an examination of past scholarship is in order.…”