Rubbers and romance: Heterosexual condom use in the United States

Abstract

This paper explores the meaning of condoms for six sexually active, college-educated women. Analysis of ethnographic interviews addresses four facets of their experiences with condoms. This report discusses (1) the condom in relation to the (female) body, and (2) condom use as a conjunction of doing sex and gender identity. Informant-generated topics are (3) the learning and sharing of condom knowledge, and (4) the mention of condoms in life stories. To contextualize these highly individual experiences, the author initially presents popular and historical meanings of condoms. After a brief review of condoms in historical discourses of birth control and sexually-transmitted diseases, condom meanings in current AIDS-inspired research are presented. The conclusion suggests how this qualitative data could inform sexual health education and condom promotion campaigns.