Gender-Roles, Power, and Condom Use in Adolescent Dating Relationships

Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) have a disproportionate and more devastating impact on women than men; adolescent women are at the greatest risk for acquiring STDs. However, promoting consistent condom use among female adolescents involves dealing with complex socio-cultural factors, including deep ambivalence regarding sexuality in general, women's sexuality in particular, and adolescent girls' sexuality in specific. This cultural ambivalence comes into play in dating relationships where differences in the allocation of power and responsibility often make it difficult to effect important sexual decisions such as consistent condom use. Specific attitudes, behaviors, and perceptions that distinguish between couples who use condoms consistently and those who do not are explored. It is hypothesized that couples who are egalitarian in their attitudes and behaviors and who share power equally are more likely to consistently use condoms. This project used self-report, interview, and observer-coded interaction data to study gender role attitudes and behavior, power in verbal interaction, emotional power, decision-making power, and condom use. Although difficulty was encountered in distinguishing between consistent and inconsistent users of condoms, findings are summarized in nine brief statements. The next steps in this research program are presented. (Author/EMK)