Expert: Sharon - 11/29/2006

Question
Hello,

Thank you for your fast response. In regards to your question I am a Sophmore at te University of Arizona, my major is Sociology and this research is for a paper in a class I am taking called Sociology of Sexuality, the class deals with many issues of sexuality as well as races. One of our text books was "Sex in America" and included the sexual practices of different races but not to the depth that is needed for this paper. Again, this is not a paper solely on African American sexuality but I do need details/stats on the subjects I mentioned (I have never done research in African American sexuality, only limited in Human Sexualiy).
Thank you in advance for any help you may provide.

Victoria
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The text above is a follow-up to ...

-----Question-----
Hello,

I am doing a paper on "Race and Sexuality" and I must find information on African American's sexual attitudes, I have searched the internet and cannot come up with complete answers, I was hoping maybe you could help me.
Attitudes on such things as:
*Abortion
*Homosexuality
*Premarital sex
*Importance of marriage
*Masterbation
*Interfaith relationships
*Sexuality, in general

Also, if you can lead me to solid resources (such as books, websites, etc) to find more answers I would greatly appreciate it!

Thank you,
Victoria

-----Answer-----
Hello, Victoria
I have received your question, but I must ask are you a high school student or a college student? If you are a college student are you a African-American studies major?Have you done research in this area before?. What year are you in school? I ask because I need to know your experience in doing research so that I can better assist you.

Thanks


Answer
Hello, Victoria

I have found some books that may help you, in your efforts to explain black sexuality in your project. First of all I can give you a general backround from my experience, being an African-American woman. Many African-Americans are very conservative,(if they are Christian). I dont know much about African-Americans of other religious backrounds. So the attitudes that you have listed such as  abortion,homosexuality,premarital sex, inter-faith relationships, ect all of these things are a big NO NO and as you can see were Iam going..very taboo. As some African-Americans (not all) may follow bilbical teachings to the "T". The younger generation of African-Americans may be a little more liberal than there parents or grandparents because times are changing, but the same attitudes still exist today. I would like to recommend some books to you.

Sexuality and the Black Church, by Kelly Brown Douglas

What Brothers Think and What Sisters know about sex, by Denene Miller,Nick Chiles

On the Down Low, by JL King(which is a book that focuses on black homosexuality)

I hope that I was of help to you. I dont know how much time that you have to write your paper but try to read Sexuality and the Black Church at least. I feel that it will answer alot of these questions and the other two books that I recommend are supplemental. I did not list any internet sources because I dont know how "reliable" they are as far as accurate information. however if you feel comfortable just type in the word black sexuality in a search engine such as google to see what articles come up.

Thank You For Your Question!!!