Sexuality and Risks: Gendered Discourses about Virginity and Disease among Young Women of Mexican Origin

• Published in: Latino studies Vol. 3; no. 2; pp. 226 - 245
• Main Authors: Zavella, Patricia, Castañeda, Xóchitl
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London Palgrave Macmillan 01-07-2005
• Subjects: Acculturation; Acquired immune deficiency syndrome; AIDS; Birth rate; California; Cervical cancer; College students; Community; Cultural identity; Cultural studies; Discourse; Disease control; Diseases; Ethnic groups; Females; Gender; Heterosexuality; Hispanic Americans; Infections; Marriage; Mexican Americans; Mexicans; Migrants; Migration; Negotiation; Noncitizens; Pregnancy; Public health; Religion; Risk; Risk exposure; Risk Factors; Secondary school students; Sex Stereotypes; Sexual Behavior; Sexuality; Sexually transmitted diseases; STD; Students; Transnationalism; Values; Venereal Diseases; Virginity; Weddings; Women; Womens health; Youth; United States > US; California
• ISSN: 1476-3435; 1476-3443
• DOI: 10.1057/palgrave.lst.8600139

This paper explores the constructions of sexuality and risk by young Mexicanas in California, comparing high school students and university students. These women are at risk of sexually transmitted infections as well as pregnancy and negotiate these risks in relation to contradictory gendered discourses. In a college environment or in migrant communities, women are exposed to questions about their reputation as "mujeres decentes." Drawing on focus groups, life histories, and participant observation with young women of Mexican origin, we show how they negotiate contradictory gendered discourses. We argue that in this highly fluid and fraught context, young women have difficulty negotiating safer sexual practices and often make decisions that place them at risk of sexually transmitted diseases or pregnancy. [PUBLICATION ABSTRACT]