Abstract
Research indicates that people use condoms less often with a regular sexual partner than with a casual partner because they believe condoms are not needed. This article reports qualitative findings from four group meetings and 11 in-depth interviews in which sexually experienced inner-city adolescents aged 14-17 talked about their sexual relationships. Three types of relationships were described: messing, for sex only; boy-girlfriend, a more intense relationship, and "hubby-wifey," which mimics marriage. The four types of relationships differ along four analytic dimensions, which give them meaning: future commitment; public vs. secret; expectation of monogamy; and degree of affection and love. Decisions about condom use are influenced by these dimensions which may be underestimated in theoretical models that focus on individuals, not couples.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 211-222 |
Number of pages | 12 |
Journal | AIDS and Behavior |
Volume | 9 |
Issue number | 2 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Jun 2005 |
Keywords
- Adolescents
- Condoms
- HIV/AIDS
- Sexual behavior
- Sexual relationships
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Social Psychology
- Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health
- Infectious Diseases