Black Sexuality in the U.S.: Presentations as Non-normative

Abstract

Does current sex research in which people of African descent in the United States are the subjects present black sexuality as non-normative? If so, what is the impact of these presentations? The methodology used in this study included a qualitative review of research on sex and sexuality in which black people in the U.S. were research subjects. The study concludes that contemporary research on sexuality is dominated by research related to sexually transmitted infections, particularly AIDS and HIV. In the efforts to address this health crisis that has affected people of African descent in the U.S. disproportionately, some articles, perhaps inadvertently, present black sexuality in the U.S. as non-normative. This pathologizing of black sexuality occurs because some researchers studying aspects of sexuality in which the focus is on subjects of African descent in the United States, fail to either consider or describe possible systemic influences (poverty, racial discrimination, etc.) that affect the sexual behaviors of black people.

Sexual Health Among U.S. Black and Hispanic Men and Women: A Nationally Representative Study

“…Indeed, ethnic minority status itself is often viewed as a “risk factor” in public health research. Some have noted that the exclusive concentration on adverse sexual health “problems” among black and Hispanic individuals has produced a context in which black and Hispanic sexuality, in general, has been deemed non‐normative [10,11].…”

Black people’s constructions of good sex: Describing good sex from the margins

“…Moreover, while the good-enough–sex model may be useful for those engaging in consistent, relationship sex, it may be ultimately less useful when applied to casual, one-time or non-intimate sexual activity, solo sex, or non-traditional sex encounters (e.g., group sex, swingers). Finally, neither model accounts for cultural barriers and stressors that may impact Black people’s ability to access good sex, such as racism/racialization, sociopolitical, and financial stressors (Bowleg et al, 2017; Gilbert, 2021; McGruder, 2009; Ware et al, 2019). Thus, a more comprehensive model and approach to good sex is needed to investigate Black people’s perspectives.…”

“No One Can Make that Choice for You:” Exploring Power in the Sexual Narratives of Black Collegians

“…For Black women, these stereotypes include the "Jezebel" and "Gold Digger," which represent Black women as hypersexual and transactional sex agents, respectively (Cowan & Campbell, 1994;French, 2012). These stereotypes were created and reinforced during colonization, enslavement, and segregation eras to dehumanize Black men and women as a means to justify those three White oppressive structures and behaviors (McGruder, 2008;Nagel, 2000). Subverting social norms that dictate limited acceptable sexual expression for Black men and women may have consequences that can manifest as social sanctions.…”