The Multiple Jeopardy of Race, Class, and Gender for AIDS Risk among Women

This article focuses on the ways that sexual risk behaviors are related to race, class, and gender among low-income, culturally diverse women in South Florida. Data concerning sexual risk (frequency of condom use) and gender (decision making with regard to condom use and gender attitudes) are presen...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Gender & society 1993-03, Vol.7 (1), p.99-120
Main Authors: Osmond, Marie Withers, Wambach, K. G., Harrison, Dianne F., Byers, Joseph, Levine, Philippa, Imershein, Allen, Quadagno, David M.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome
African Americans
AIDS
Class
Class Differences
Condoms
Females
Gender
Gender equality
Hispanics
HIV
Human immunodeficiency virus
Human sexual behavior
Men
Race
Racial Differences
Risk
Sex Differences
Sexual behavior
Social classes
Social research
Women
Womens rights
Working women
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Summary:This article focuses on the ways that sexual risk behaviors are related to race, class, and gender among low-income, culturally diverse women in South Florida. Data concerning sexual risk (frequency of condom use) and gender (decision making with regard to condom use and gender attitudes) are presented in terms of race and class variations. Results indicate that, in general, these women have a high degree of knowledge about acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS), a quite contemporary awareness of women's gendered subordination, and a lack of trust in heterosexual relationships. Attitudes, beliefs, and knowledge, however, are not translated into sexual behaviors with men partners that would reduce their vulnerability to infection with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). The data indicate that race is a major factor that places women into an underclass position. Consequently, without socioeconomic resources, gendered behaviors have a direct influence on sexual risk. Multivariate analyses indicate that those women who are sex workers are significantly more likely to negotiate safe sex with clients than with main partners. The research not only challenges mainstream thinking about race, class, and gender but also provides overdue information on the vulnerability of women to HIV infection.
ISSN:0891-2432
1552-3977
DOI:10.1177/089124393007001006