Perspectives on Sexual Socialization from a Sample of Black Heterosexual College Women

Informed by ecological and Black feminist approaches, this inductive, thematic analysis analyzed narratives from 24 Black college women, ages 18–25, about the sexual socialization they received from multiple agents within and outside of the family. The themes were: Avoidance, Safety and Consent, Fun and Action-Centered Acts, (Mis)Information About Sexual Health, Gendered Norms, and Purity versus Sexual Freedom. The women received messages of avoidance, purity, safety, consent, and gendered norms, from their families and schools. Peers and media socialized women to view sex as fun and action centered. Given the persistent increases in sexually transmitted infections and diseases, and formation of longer-lasting romantic relationships during the college years, it is important for young adult women, including Black women, to receive adequate knowledge and skills to advocate for safe and healthy romantic sexual relationships. Implications of the findings are discussed.