Undergraduate Research at FIU (URFIU) Conference

Hispanic College Women’s Perceptions of Appropriate Sexual Initiation Communication Strategies With Men

FIU Wellness & Recreation Center

Research on sexual activity in college students focuses on the initial sexual cues both men and women use during sexual intercourse. While these initiations can overlap in both genders, less research has focused on how these perceptions vary by racial or ethnic minorities. The current study uses qualitative methods to interview 36 Hispanic women to find their perceptions and opinions on sexual initiation. Some broad themes were uncovered on Hispanic college women’s perceptions of (1) when sexual activity should be initiated by the man; (2) which behaviors are appropriate for men to use when initiating sex; (3) how religious beliefs play a role in decision making for sexual activity. Hispanic college women reported that the timing of sexual initiation strategies, the current relationship status with their partner, and religious beliefs were main factors when deciding if they want to participate in sexual activity. While previous research on Hispanic women has suggested religion to be the main influence in sexual initiation, our findings show there are other important factors Hispanic females consider when deciding to consent. Hispanic females also reported to take into account their own personal history with sexual activity and its influence on whether the female will consent. These findings have also advanced our knowledge for sexual education and will be beneficial for implementing campus-based efforts relating to sexual consent and awareness. Education on sexual activity should be focused on ethnic and racial minorities specifically in college settings where students of all backgrounds are united. Since racial and ethnic minority groups are now attending college more often than previous years, sexual education should focus on the range of initiation strategies between cultures to educate college students.