Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

Abstract #115986

Carla E. Stokes, PhD, MPH, Department of Health Behavior and Health Education, University of Michigan, P.O. Box 312114, Atlanta, GA 31131, 404-639-1901, carla_stokes@yahoo.com

BACKGROUND: This qualitative study investigated the role of hip hop-influenced popular culture and the Web in shaping black adolescent girls' sexual development.

METHODS: Home pages constructed by black adolescent girls residing in southern states with the highest rates of HIV/AIDS among black Americans were analyzed (N=216). The author used ethnographic content analysis methods and consulted with an expert panel of black adolescent girls from the greater Atlanta area who were familiar with hip hop culture, the Internet, and girls' home pages.

RESULTS: Black adolescent girls in the sample constructed sexual self-definitions and desired romantic partners and relationships that resembled dominant sexual and relationship scripts portrayed in hip hop culture and on the Web (i.e., “freaks, pimpettes, and down ass chics/bitches”). Moreover, some, but not all girls were able to resist stereotypical representations of black girl-womanhood and/or reverse traditional gender role norms. It is noteworthy that girls commonly exhibited a preference for hypermasculine romantic and/or sexual partners, which is the primary focus of this presentation. The implications for black adolescent girls' HIV sexual risk behaviors and protective factors in on- and off-line settings are considered.

CONCLUSIONS: This study introduced the home page as a medium for adolescent HIV/AIDS research. The findings suggest that a one-size-fits-all approach may fail to address important contextual issues that affect girls' HIV risk. Innovative HIV risk reduction strategies that respond to the significance of the Web and hip hop culture in shaping HIV sexual risk among black adolescent girls are urgently needed.

Learning Objectives:

• 3. Describe the role of hip hop-infuenced popular culture and the Web in shaping the sexual development of black adolescent girls.
  7. Articulate the characteristics of sexual and romantic scripts appropriated by black adolescent girls in personal home pages.
  11. Understand the implications of the study findings for HIV prevention research and practice.

Keywords: Adolescent Health, Internet

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

I wish to disclose that I have NO financial interests or other relationship with the manufactures of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services or commercial supporters.