African American Male Perspective on Sex, Dating, and Marriage.African American African American Multiculture A person having origins in any of the black racial groups of Africa. See Race. Male Perspective on Sex, Dating, and Marriage, Cheryl D. Dudley Brewster, University of Michigan (body, education) University of Michigan - A large cosmopolitan university in the Midwest USA. Over 50000 students are enrolled at the University of Michigan's three campuses. The students come from 50 states and over 100 foreign countries. This research was designed to identify the processes urban African American men go through when developing dating and sexual relationships. It also sought to capture their thoughts and viewpoints on marriage, family, and sexual risk-taking with women. Specifically, the objectives of this research were to examine how dating and sexual relationships develop; how various relationships are defined; the basis for categorization of women; views of marriage and family; and perceptions of sexual risk-taking. During 2003, six focus groups and five individual interviews were conducted with 40 African American young men ages 18-25. The five individual interviews were conducted to follow up on major themes that emerged from the focus group data. All respondents resided in New York City New York City: see New York, city. New York City City (pop., 2000: 8,008,278), southeastern New York, at the mouth of the Hudson River. The largest city in the U.S. . Collectively, participants' personal accounts revealed several themes. Dating is viewed as a fun activity but can also consist of activities that permit individuals to learn more about each other on a deeper, more personal level. Dating multiple women is acceptable behavior, but some men maintain serious relationships with multiple women simultaneously. Women were categorized cat·e·go·rize tr.v. cat·e·go·rized, cat·e·go·riz·ing, cat·e·go·riz·es To put into a category or categories; classify. cat by their sexual behaviors sexual behavior A person's sexual practices–ie, whether he/she engages in heterosexual or homosexual activity. See Sex life, Sexual life. and their relationships with the young men. They have redefined family for themselves, and marriage is not included in that definition. The young men are knowledgeable about sexually transmitted infection and pregnancy prevention, yet they continue to engage in unsafe sex practices. The young men claim to mistrust women and often feel manipulated by women. Additional research needs to be conducted to ascertain the processes that lead to deterioration de·te·ri·o·ra·tion n. The process or condition of becoming worse. of African American male/female relationships. Results indicate that young men in this study have created a new language and evolving types of relationships associated with dating. To acknowledge and incorporate the new language and these relationships into prevention messages and programs could assist in the goals of reduction of the spread of STIs and unwanted pregnancy unwanted pregnancy Obstetrics A pregnancy that is not desired by one or both biologic parents. See Teen pregnancy. . |
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