Traditional men and Americanized young women: Infidelity in a migrant community

Background: Around the world men, both single and married, report higher rates of partner change and extramarital relations than women. Thus, research regarding extramarital relations has focused largely on men while little attention has been given to the extramarital relations of women. This research presents findings about the sexual behaviors of Garifuna migrants from Honduras and New York City (NYC), specifically considering infidelity by men and women. Methods: Data was collected in Trujillo, Honduras and NYC between July 2007 and May 2008 among the Garinagu, a matrifocal Afro-Amerindian population from Central America through participant observation, semi-structured interviews with women (n = 35), and community leader (n = 10), and a structured questionnaire completed by men and women (n = 159). All participants were between the ages of 18 and 55 years and were or had been sexually active. Results: Although Garifuna men and women in NYC are more likely to report that their relationship is mutually monogamous, issues of infidelity remain. Evidence suggests men continue to engage in sexual relationships outside of their partnership. As the women become more independence and equality grows between men and women, infidelities by young “Americanized” Garifuna women in NYC appear more common. Conclusions: These findings suggest the need to consider women's infidelities as well as men's, especially in times of social change towards increased equality of men and women.