A Black Feminist Examination of Sexual Liberation and Sexual Stereotypes: Perspectives from Black Female College Students

Abstract:The study presented here is an examination of Black female college students' perspectives on sexual liberation and the utility of sexual stereotypes in a liberated society. Twenty-four young Black women engaged in seven focus groups to understand how their generation defines and understands sexual freedom and changing norms. Findings showed that some young Black women define sexual liberation as a combination of ownership, awareness, confidence, and pleasure. Additionally, they described sexual stereotypes as: symbols of desiring acceptance, rooted in patriarchy, a way to infer that sexual woman are promiscuous, and may be useful tools in reclaiming sexual autonomy. Implications for sex research and practice are discussed.