Rubbers and romance: Heterosexual condom use in the United States
Author
Adrian, Shelly Dee, 1963-Issue Date
1997Keywords
Anthropology, Cultural.Women's Studies.
Health Sciences, Public Health.
Sociology, Individual and Family Studies.
Advisor
Ortiz, Ana M.
Metadata
Show full item recordPublisher
The University of Arizona.Rights
Copyright © is held by the author. Digital access to this material is made possible by the University Libraries, University of Arizona. Further transmission, reproduction or presentation (such as public display or performance) of protected items is prohibited except with permission of the author.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.Type
textThesis-Reproduction (electronic)
Degree Name
M.A.Degree Level
mastersDegree Program
Graduate CollegeAnthropology