Publication Date

2008

Document Type

Masters Thesis

Department

School for Social Work

Abstract

This research was a qualitative study designed to investigate the expression of Black woman in relationships with males from different racial minority groups. The primary objective was to learn more about how Black women express their sexuality in interracial relationships with their partners. This study interviewed a group of Black women (n=10) within interracial relationships and explored their experiences of expressing their sexuality within these relationships both psychologically and physically (Bean, 2002). Through their narratives, participants were able to convey the impact of their partner's racial and/or cultural background on their sexual expression. The majority of these participants (n=7) would continue to date interracially, but they did bring up a number of issues that were challenging. One issue was the importance of communication within these relationships, where participants discussed the importance of having an open dialogue with their partner about their sexual, occupational, familial, and racial experiences. Looking specifically at sexuality in the context of race, the majority (n=8) of the participants had a positive view of sexual expression among Black women in relationships. Participants reported that generally Black sexual expression was characterized by "strength", "direction", and the pride of dressing their bodies. These findings are useful to clinical social workers who have clients in interracial relationships and may be struggling with issues of race and sexuality.

Comments

Thesis (M.S.W.)--Smith College School for Social Work, Northampton, Mass., 2008. iii, 58 p. Includes bibliographical references (p. 47-48)

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