Sixty, sexy and vulnerable: Exploring the impact of early gender socialization on HIV/AIDS risk-taking behaviors among older African-American women

Despite myths and stereotypes, many older women are sexually active. For sexually active African-American women, rates for newly-diagnosed HIV infection, those living with HIV and HIV/AIDS-related mortality are disturbing. Representing only 14% of the U.S. female population, African-American women account for nearly two-thirds of all new HIV infections among women and over half with AIDS.  Although many health promotion/disease prevention (HP/DP) efforts are directed toward HIV risk-reduction for younger African-American women, less notice is directed toward their sexually active, older counterparts. Yet, the primary mode of transmission for both is high risk heterosexual exposure.  Does a one-size-fits-all prevention approach work for all African-American women? Or, is it necessary to customize HP/DP programming for older African-American women? Is it conceivable that unique factors influence older African-American women to engage in risky sexual behaviors? The purpose of this inquiry was to explore whether early gender socialization and the establishment of gender norms and roles in a very different social era impact their current risk-taking sexual behaviors. The methodology utilized surveys and focus groups to elicit values, beliefs, attitudes, gender role expectations and knowledge in relationship to high risk sexual behaviors. The results highlight the need to tailor interventions that are culturally-relevant, culturally-appropriate and amenable for this segment of a growing older adult population, especially in the Baby Boomer and “free love” generation. Building on the findings, HIV prevention programs can be designed, implemented and evaluated that promote health, cultivate healthy sexual behaviors and improve overall quality of life for older African-American women.