Remixing the Script? Associations Between Black-Oriented Media Consumption and Black Women’s Heteropatriarchal Romantic Relationship Beliefs

Abstract

Black-oriented media may offer Black women an opportunity to produce and consume empowering messages that challenge heteropatriarchal relationship beliefs, but they may also foster their endorsement. Drawn by this paradox, we surveyed 597 undergraduate and graduate Black women aged 18 to 30 years to examine exposure to Black-oriented media and their association with the acceptance of heteropatriarchal relationship beliefs. Correlation and regression analyses showed that reading more Black magazines was associated with increased acceptance of heteropatriarchal relationship beliefs. Although it has been argued that media depictions of sexually agentic and empowered Black women may help disrupt and subvert the hegemonic nature of heteropatriarchal discourses in society, our findings suggest that some Black-oriented media may instead be associated with endorsing restrictive, scripted gender norms for intraracial romantic relationships.

Black college students navigating digital environments: A qualitative analysis of peer racial socialization.

“…Despite the risks of increased racial discrimination, digital media has been identified as a notable site where socialization occurs for Black youth (Anyiwo et al, 2021; Avery et al, 2021; Boulianne, 2020; Chan, 2017). Black youth utilize social media to engage around topics of importance to them and to voice opinions, both passively (e.g., simply posting, liking, or viewing) and actively (i.e., engaging in exchanges with others, content creation).…”

Perspectives on Sexual Socialization from a Sample of Black Heterosexual College Women

“…Much of the existing literature regarding sexual socialization from media sources centers around movies, music videos, social media, TV shows, and pornography. The findings of these studies varied depending upon media source, age of study, and research design, but a common theme was the reinforcement of stereotypes about Black women (e.g., Avery et al, 2021; Coyne, et al, 2019; Overbeek, et al, 2018; Seabrook et al, 2016; Ward et al, 2020). Seabrook et al (2016) and Avery et al (2021) reported that consuming high levels of reality television reinforced a heterosexual script in Black college-aged individuals.…”

“…The findings of these studies varied depending upon media source, age of study, and research design, but a common theme was the reinforcement of stereotypes about Black women (e.g., Avery et al, 2021; Coyne, et al, 2019; Overbeek, et al, 2018; Seabrook et al, 2016; Ward et al, 2020). Seabrook et al (2016) and Avery et al (2021) reported that consuming high levels of reality television reinforced a heterosexual script in Black college-aged individuals. These messages included women setting sexual limits and men highly valuing a woman’s physical appearance.…”