Abstract
This paper presents findings on how sexual safety is sustained in relationships. A qualitative study was undertaken to gather data on the social relations of sexual negotiation and safety among HIV positive people and their sexual partners. HIV positive people were found to avoid close relationships because of the difficulties of sustaining safer sex with regular partners. In response, many sought HIV positive concordant partners, and unprotected sex in these relationships was considered 'acceptable'. Action that suspended protected sex helped define relationships as intimate and important. As the emotional content of relationships developed, the acceptability of risk increased. Relationship risk management in the time of AIDS is as much an effort to protect relationships as intimate, loving and secure, as it is an effort to ensure viral safety. This was particularly the case in antibody discordant relationships. Here, 'love relationships' were presented as important as life itself. It was HIV negative partners in discordant relationships who most often negotiated for unprotected sex. Gay men were better able than heterosexuals to sustain safer sex in long term, love relationships. These differences in capacity to sustain safer sex between gay and straight people and between HIV positive and negative people may reflect differences in exposure to sexual safety and relationship norms. We discuss HIV prevention initiatives in light of these findings.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.