Article number three
Social Oppression, Psychological Vulnerability, and Unprotected Intercourse Among Young Black Men Who Have Sex With Men
Summary of the article. This study discussed the effects of social oppression, racism, and homophobia on the sexual habits of young black homosexuals. This study determined that social oppression does effect these habits. Many of these young men take more risks and have more unprotected sexual encounters. The oppression these men face effects them mentally and they then have sexual encounters with dominant men. This then leads them to having risky sexual behaviors for fear of offending their partner. It is important that a safe environment be created and peer support groups be developed to reduce their HIV and AIDS risk.
How does the story relate to oppression/discrimination? Young gay black men have multiple exposures to social oppression in the form of racism, homophobia, and poverty. These factors join together to further oppress the young gay black man and leads him to risky sexual behavior.
Who is oppressed? Young, black, homosexual men are being oppressed. They are being oppressed because they are black and homosexual.
Who is oppressing? It is the American public that is oppressing these young men. Americans are homophobic and racist in many cases and this effects black homosexuals even more.
How are they oppressed? What type of oppression/discrimination is involved? They young, black and gay man is made to feel less than human. It adds insult to injury when a man is black and gay. These feelings of worthlessness and inadequacy led them to frequent establishments that invite risky behavior. These men want attention and to be loved, but they go about it the wrong way.
Explore the significance in our society? What are the implications for this oppression? What does this say about the values of our society? Our society does nothing to support these young men. Some of these men live in poverty and still others are homeless. The study showed a link between poverty, racism and homophobia that leads to increased risk of unprotected sex and increased risk of HIV and AIDS. If and when these young men contract HIV and AIDS our society further discriminates against them. Our society needs to help them to become productive citizens by creating support groups and making them feel safe.
What was my personal reaction? Explore thoroughly. What aspects of my own socialization have led me to this reaction? I was surprised that these risky sexual behaviors were more prevalent in the black man than in the Latino or white male population. I imagined that the oppression of the homosexual may have been equal throughout. I will have to reevaluate how the young, black gay man feels more oppression than other racial groups. It is important for these young men to have peer support just like any other group.
What did I learn? I learned that feelings of inadequacy and feeling unloved may also play a role in these young men’s behavior. If a person, no matter what race or sexual preference, does not have a support system that can lead them to make poor decisions. A young, black, and homosexual man that feels unsupported sometimes also has to deal with the oppression and discrimination that goes along with also being black.
Source:
Huebner, D. M., Kegeles, S. M., Rebchook, G. M., Peterson, J. L., Neilands, T. B., Johnson, W. D., & Eke, A. N. (2014). Social oppression, psychological vulnerability, and unprotected intercourse among young black men who have sex with men. Health Psychology, 33(12), 1568-1578. doi:10.1037/hea0000031.
Social Oppression, Psychological Vulnerability, and Unprotected Intercourse Among Young Black Men Who Have Sex With Men
Summary of the article. This study discussed the effects of social oppression, racism, and homophobia on the sexual habits of young black homosexuals. This study determined that social oppression does effect these habits. Many of these young men take more risks and have more unprotected sexual encounters. The oppression these men face effects them mentally and they then have sexual encounters with dominant men. This then leads them to having risky sexual behaviors for fear of offending their partner. It is important that a safe environment be created and peer support groups be developed to reduce their HIV and AIDS risk.
How does the story relate to oppression/discrimination? Young gay black men have multiple exposures to social oppression in the form of racism, homophobia, and poverty. These factors join together to further oppress the young gay black man and leads him to risky sexual behavior.
Who is oppressed? Young, black, homosexual men are being oppressed. They are being oppressed because they are black and homosexual.
Who is oppressing? It is the American public that is oppressing these young men. Americans are homophobic and racist in many cases and this effects black homosexuals even more.
How are they oppressed? What type of oppression/discrimination is involved? They young, black and gay man is made to feel less than human. It adds insult to injury when a man is black and gay. These feelings of worthlessness and inadequacy led them to frequent establishments that invite risky behavior. These men want attention and to be loved, but they go about it the wrong way.
Explore the significance in our society? What are the implications for this oppression? What does this say about the values of our society? Our society does nothing to support these young men. Some of these men live in poverty and still others are homeless. The study showed a link between poverty, racism and homophobia that leads to increased risk of unprotected sex and increased risk of HIV and AIDS. If and when these young men contract HIV and AIDS our society further discriminates against them. Our society needs to help them to become productive citizens by creating support groups and making them feel safe.
What was my personal reaction? Explore thoroughly. What aspects of my own socialization have led me to this reaction? I was surprised that these risky sexual behaviors were more prevalent in the black man than in the Latino or white male population. I imagined that the oppression of the homosexual may have been equal throughout. I will have to reevaluate how the young, black gay man feels more oppression than other racial groups. It is important for these young men to have peer support just like any other group.
What did I learn? I learned that feelings of inadequacy and feeling unloved may also play a role in these young men’s behavior. If a person, no matter what race or sexual preference, does not have a support system that can lead them to make poor decisions. A young, black, and homosexual man that feels unsupported sometimes also has to deal with the oppression and discrimination that goes along with also being black.
Source:
Huebner, D. M., Kegeles, S. M., Rebchook, G. M., Peterson, J. L., Neilands, T. B., Johnson, W. D., & Eke, A. N. (2014). Social oppression, psychological vulnerability, and unprotected intercourse among young black men who have sex with men. Health Psychology, 33(12), 1568-1578. doi:10.1037/hea0000031.