Men, Multiple Sexual Partners, and Young Adults’ Sexual Relationships: Understanding the Role of Gender in the Study of Risk

O’Sullivan, Lucia F.; Hoffman, Susie; Harrison, Abigail; Dolezal, Curtis

doi:10.1007/s11524-006-9062-5

Cited by 51 publications

(31 citation statements)

References 37 publications

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“…Sexual prowess and the appearance of being sexually experienced are also features of idealized masculinity (Bowleg et al, 2011; Mahalik et al, 2003), as is being in control in intimate relationships with women (for review, see Jewkes, Flood, & Lang, 2015). For example, endorsement of traditional or stereotypical notions of masculinity is associated with sexual behaviors such as higher numbers of sexual partners (O’Sullivan, Hoffman, Harrison, & Dolezal, 2006). Similarly, a strong endorsement of dominant masculine traits is consistently associated with the use of controlling and physically and sexually abusive behaviors with female romantic partners (Flood & Pease, 2009; Reidy, Burke, Gentile, & Zeichner, 2014).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Latent Class Analysis of Heterosexual Young Men’s Masculinities

et al. 2015

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Parallel bodies of research have described the diverse and complex ways that men understand and construct their masculine identities (often termed“masculinities”) and, separately, how adherence to traditional notions of masculinity places men at risk for negative sexual and health outcomes. The goal of this analysis was to bring together these two streams of inquiry. Using data from a national, online sample of 555 hetero-sexually active young men, we employed latent class analysis (LCA) to detect patterns of masculine identities based on men’s endorsement of behavioral and attitudinal indicators of“dominant” masculinity, including sexual attitudes and behaviors. LCA identified four conceptually distinct masculine identity profiles. Twogroups, termed the Normative and Normative/Male Activities groups, respectively, constituted 88 % of the sample and were characterized by low levels of adherence to attitudes, sexual scripts, and behaviors consistent with“dominant”masculinity, but differed in their levels of engagement in male-oriented activities (e.g., sports teams). Only eight percent of the sample comprised a masculinity profile consistent with “traditional” ideas about masculinity; this group was labeled Misogynistic because of high levels of sexual assault and violence toward female partners. The remaining four percent constituted a Sex-Focused group, characterized by high numbers of sexual partners, but relatively low endorsement of other indicators of traditional masculinity. Follow-up analyses showed a small number of differences across groups on sexual and substance use health indicators. Findings have implications for sexual and behavioral health interventions and suggest that very few young men embody or endorse rigidly traditional forms of masculinity.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Latent Class Analysis of Heterosexual Young Men’s Masculinities

et al. 2015

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“…When comparing men’s and women’s sexual behavior and expectations, researchers find differences consistent with traditional gender roles. Men report having greater numbers of partners, more casual partners, and more concurrent relationships than do women (Adimora & Schoenbach, 2005; O’Sullivan, Hoffman, Harrison, & Dolezal, 2006). They generally hold more permissive sexual values, are more accepting of premarital sex, view intercourse as a more positive part of the self, and receive more pro-sexual messages from peers (see Smith et al, 2005 for a review).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“He Enjoys Giving Her Pleasure”: Diversity and Complexity in Young Men’s Sexual Scripts

et al. 2014

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Research on heterosexual men’s sexual expectations has focused on self-described personal traits and culturally dominant models of masculinity. In a pair of studies, we used a sexual scripts perspective to explore the range and diversity of young men’s thoughts about sex and relationships with women and to develop measures for assessing these scripts. In the first study, we conducted semi-structured interviews to elicit young men’s accounts of their sexual relationships. We used these narratives to produce brief sexual script scenarios describing typical sexual situations, as well as conventional survey items assessing sexual behavior themes. In the second study, we administered the scenarios and theme items to an ethnically diverse, national sample of 648 heterosexually-active young men in an online survey. Using exploratory factor analysis, we delineated sets of sexual scripts and sexual behavior themes. In the scenarios, we found both a traditional masculine “player” script and a script that emphasized mutual sexual pleasure. Analysis of theme items produced scales of Drinking and Courtship, Monogamy and Emotion, and Sexual Focus and Variety. We discuss the implications of these findings for understanding heterosexual men’s thinking about sexuality and how cultural change in sexual thinking may arise. We also discuss the need for measures of sexual thinking that better integrate perceptions and expectations about the partner as well as the self in relation to the partner, rather than solely self-assessed traits.

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“…1 A growing body of research has documented the ways in which gender ideologies or beliefs about what it means to be a man or a woman within a given cultural context present formidable challenges to the implementation of current HIV/STI prevention recommendations, including reductions in the number and concurrency of sexual partnerships and increases in consistent condom use, particularly among young people. [2][3][4] In turn, many have concluded that there is a pressing need to reflect upon popular beliefs associated with gender or what is considered acceptable behavior for men and women, respectively, to reduce HIV/STI transmission. However, only a small number of interventions have demonstrated significant improvements in HIV/STI preventive behaviors as a result of programmatic actions encouraging individuals to reconsider commonly held and/or traditional beliefs regarding gender roles and norms.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Gender Ideologies, Socioeconomic Opportunities, and HIV/STI-related Vulnerability among Female, African-American Adolescents

Kerrigan

Andrinopoulos

Chung³

et al. 2008

J Urban Health

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The importance of gender within HIV/STI prevention has become widely recognized. However, gender ideologies associated with vulnerability to HIV/STI are often examined and addressed without sufficient attention to the larger socioeconomic context within which they arise and evolve. We conducted a cross-sectional survey with 155 female, African-American adolescents recruited from two health clinics in Baltimore, Maryland. Multivariate logistic regression was utilized to assess the relationships between HIV/STI vulnerability resulting from male partner concurrency, adherence to traditional female gender norms, using a measure of hyperfemininity, and perceived socioeconomic opportunity structures. The likelihood of reported partner concurrency increased significantly among participants reporting higher levels of hyperfemininity (OR=2.08; 95%CI=1.01-4.30). Hyperfeminine thinking and behavior was significantly lower in the context of higher perceived socioeconomic opportunity structures (OR=0.87; 95%CI=0.79-0.95). Interventions seeking to promote gender equity and reduce HIV/STI may be more effective when the socioeconomic context of gender ideologies is assessed and addressed. Programs and policies to increase educational and professional opportunity structures, particularly among marginalized communities, should be actively integrated into HIV/STI prevention planning.

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Men, Multiple Sexual Partners, and Young Adults’ Sexual Relationships: Understanding the Role of Gender in the Study of Risk

Cited by 51 publications

References 37 publications

A Latent Class Analysis of Heterosexual Young Men’s Masculinities

A Latent Class Analysis of Heterosexual Young Men’s Masculinities

“He Enjoys Giving Her Pleasure”: Diversity and Complexity in Young Men’s Sexual Scripts

Gender Ideologies, Socioeconomic Opportunities, and HIV/STI-related Vulnerability among Female, African-American Adolescents

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