International Encyclopedia of Men and Masculinities
Te transmission of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs) by and to men (including sexually active boys) is determined by several factors. These include the number of sexual partners, the extent to which men are aware of HIV/STIs, and whether they have access to the means of preventing transmission. Each factor is influenced to a certain extent by concepts of masculinity.
The risk of contracting HIV/STIs is proportional to the number of partners with whom individuals have unprotected sexual intercourse. Cross-cultural studies confirm that men tend to have more sexual partners than women and therefore more opportunity to contract and transmit infections. Their dominant status also frequently allows them to decide the form of sexual intercourse, including whether a condom is used or non-penetrative sex is practised and therefore whether the risk of transmission is reduced. In sex between men the partner who is larger, older, wealthier, more knowledgeable and/or possesses other markers of status is also likely to determine whether safer sex is practised.
Men’s reluctance to use condoms is often attributed to culturally determined norms that encourage men to take risks and imply that strong men are not vulnerable to infection. It is also attributable to the reduction in sensation that many men experience when wearing a condom.
Reluctance to practise non-penetrative intercourse is commonly attributed to a need to prove dominance through penetration. It may also reflect the wish to give one’s partner pleasure through penetration, and the more intense pleasure experienced by many men in penetrative than in non-penetrative intercourse.
The impact of HIV/AIDS is also affected by norms of masculinity. In societies where the virus is primarily transmitted between men, and more men than women are living with HIV, services for men appear more widespread than for women, and men appear to live longer after diagnosis than women. Where HIV is primarily transmitted heterosexually and more women than men are living with HIV, services for women appear more widespread and women live longer after diagnosis than men. In these societies, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa and parts of Asia, masculinity is often seen as a barrier to acceptance of one’s HIV status, while women are motivated to live longer by the need to look after their children (Foreman 1999).
References and further reading
Foreman, M. (1999) AIDS and Men, London: Panos/Zed Books.
Scalway, T. (2001) Young Men and HIV: Culture, Poverty and Sexual Risk, London: Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS)/ The Panos Institute.
See also: condoms; sexuality; sexually transmitted infections
MARTIN FOREMAN
This is the complete article, containing 420 words
(approx. 1 page at 300 words per page).
View More Summaries on AIDS
