Stereotypical Black male gender roles of hypermasculinity (i.e., exaggeration of traditional masculine roles through behaviors such as sexual prowess, physical dominance, aggression, and antifemininity) have been described as a way for men disempowered by racial oppression to demonstrate power and authority. 9 Masculinities of male subgroups who are not members of the socially dominant group, such as Black men and gay men, have often been described as compensatory masculinities, 9–14 developed in reaction to blocked access to the power and authority of the dominant group.
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9 We focused on the conception of masculinity described as a social construct involving the negotiation of power and authority, in which socially dominant men who adhere to gender role norms subordinate other men, women, and femininity. 4,5,8 Many overlapping conceptions and definitions of masculinity exist. 4,5 Understanding the culturally relevant contextual factors influencing sexual behavior among Black MSM may help identify processes that increase their HIV risk and disparities.Ĭonceptions of gender and masculinity are examples of cultural factors found to be associated with sexual behavior among heterosexual men 6,7 and MSM. 3 However, the cultural context of sexual behavior has been identified as an important predictor of risk. 1,2 Research indicates that this disparity is not explained by differences in rates of sexual risk behaviors between MSM subgroups.
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GRS may influence sexual risk behavior and HIV risk and be an important target for HIV prevention.īlack men who have sex with men (MSM) aged 13 to 24 years have a higher HIV incidence rate than other racial subgroups, a rate that increased by 49% between 20. Antihomosexual expectations of masculinity isolate young Black MSM during a developmental stage when interpersonal attachments are critical. Participants believed this conflict and the associated experience of GRS might increase HIV risk through social isolation, poor self-esteem, reduced access to HIV prevention messages, and limited parental–family involvement in sexuality development and early sexual decision-making.Ĭonclusions. Consistent with GRS, this conflict and pressure to conform to these expectations despite their homosexuality led to psychological distress, efforts to camouflage their homosexuality, and strategies to prove their masculinity. Participants described rigid, often antihomosexual expectations of masculinity from their families, peers, and communities. We conducted a categorical analysis (a qualitative, 3-stage, iterative analysis) of data from studies conducted in 2001 to 2006, which interviewed 35 men aged 18 to 24 years in 3 New York cities and Atlanta, Georgia. We explored gender role strain (GRS) arising from conflict between homosexuality and cultural conceptions of masculinity among young Black men who have sex with men (MSM).