Factors Influencing Dating Experiences Among African American Emerging Adults

Abstract

This study examined sociocultural factors that impact dating and sexual experiences of heterosexual African American undergraduate college students attending a historically Black institution in the Southeastern United States. Specifically, mate availability and relationship involvement were analyzed to document students’ experiences, and how these influences may be associated with sexual decision making and behavior. Data from nine focus groups (N = 57) were aggregated and four subthemes were identified: competition among women, acceptability of mates, high prevalence of casual relationships, and lowered expectations for commitment. Power dynamics emerged as a contributing factor to the types of relationship involvement, sexual decision-making, and behavior among participants. The importance of prevention programs focusing on situational and cultural variables is highlighted. Additionally, implications for professionals working with emerging adults to consider the impact of the gender ratio imbalance, and perceived power distributions on perceptions of dating relationships, and sexual decision making and behavior are addressed.

Family Influences on Hooking Up and Dating Among Emerging Adults

“…The team met weekly to discuss and develop a coding schema from this initial work that could be applied to each of the interviews. As Hall et al (2014) note, including students of the same age and educational backgrounds of participants in coding improves validity. In addition, the inclusion of multiple analysts reduces bias derived from selective perception (Bay-Cheng et al 2011).…”

“…Residential location is not randomly distributed among all emerging adults, however, but varies systematically across race/ethnicity, nativity, and socioeconomic background, with working class, immigrant, and minority young adults more likely to live with or close to family (Allison and Risman 2014;Britton 2013;Ovink and Kalogrides 2015;Pew Research Center 2013). Assumptions of family independence thus reflect the focus on white, classprivileged emerging adults who attend residential campuses that has characterized much research to date, to the neglect of diverse student populations of varied living situations (Arnett 2003;Hall et al 2014;Syed and Mitchell 2013). Thus the assumed decline of family influence may reflect assumptions of spatial independence untrue for many, if not most, emerging adults.…”

“…Recent research on the sexual and romantic experiences of emerging adults has pointed toward family influence as a direction for future inquiry (Hall et al 2014;Hardie and Stanik 2012;Morgan et al 2010). This exploratory, qualitative analysis investigates how families of origin matter to the interpersonal development of a racially and socioeconomically diverse group of 85 emerging adults who attend a public, 4-year university in the Midwest and live with or near family members.…”

US Black college women’s sexual health in hookup culture: intersections of race and gender

“…In doing so, they negotiate a set of prescribed beliefs and norms regarding race, gender and sexuality that may be incongruent with the increasingly sexual permissive climates, behaviours and attitudes present on college campuses (Bazargan et al [14]). A small but growing body of research has explored the behavioural and social factors influencing Black women's sexual risks within college contexts (Alleyne and Wodarski [7]; Foreman [41]; Hall, Lee, and Witherspoon [47]; Sutton et al [80]). However, more research is needed considering the significant sexual health disparities.…”

“…However, more research is needed considering the significant sexual health disparities. Specifically, research regarding gender ratio disparities, relationship power imbalances and inconsistent condom use and low sexual-risk perception is needed as they are all gendered and racial factors that shape Black women's sexual behaviour on college campuses (Alleyne and Gaston [6]; Foreman [41]; Hall, Lee, and Witherspoon [47]).…”