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Men can be the Answer
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May 5th, 2010Domestic Violence, Education, HIV/AIDS, Health, Reproductive Health
In reducing the spread of HIV/AIDS several organizations are coming to the same conclusion: educating only women about safe-sex isn’t the answer when women are often powerless in the making decisions about sex. For the cycle to change, men have to become involved.The leading national Latino AIDS organization, The Latino Commission on AIDS, recently released a report on the state of New York’s response to the HIV/AIDS crisis in the Latino community. Latinos in New York represent 16 percent of the population, but account for 30 percent of people living with HIV/AIDS. Gender inequalities and oppression have caused an even more disproportionate amount of Latina women to be infected. Latinas make up nearly a third of HIV prevalence in New York City compared to only 8 percent of white women.
In a 2009 study based in the country of Puerto Rico, HIV researchers found that educating women about safe-sex fails to consider the dynamics of gender roles. These roles include sexual norms that are explicit in the Latino culture. Historically, machismo upholds hyper sexuality, power, authority and virility. On the other hand, Latinas live by marianismo, encouraging chastity, submission, inferiority, obedience and purity.
Men in the study had sex with multiple partners to prove their sexuality and were opposed to condom use because sex isn’t “real sex” without penetration and that condoms block spontaneity or sensation. Women in the study were not willing to discuses sex with their partner because of social taboos, fear of a negative or violent response, or being accused of infidelity.
The study found the responsibility of using protection was placed on the women, while the culture facilitates a dependence and deference to men. But, there were some positive gender roles that could play an important part in getting men to advocate for safe-sex.
Most importantly, the study found men more willing to use condoms by appealing to their role as provider and protector and that safe-sex practice increased their assertiveness and confidence in continuing the practice.
A good example of working with men to promote gender equality and safe-sex is the long running program established by EngenderHealth. In South Africa, the Men As Partners program holds workshops on what it means to be a man. Participants are asked to challenge long held beliefs on gender roles and compare the oppression of apartheid – which the men can relate to – to the sexism women face today.
EngenderHealth has developed the Men As Partners program in more than 15 countries in Africa, Asia, Latin America and the United States.
The hope is that programs such as these will get advocates in the field to move on from focusing on women-only safe-sex education to asking how to identify and work beyond traditional gender roles in the whole community.
3 responses to “Men can be the Answer” 
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I still think the other very important part of the education in regards to stopping the spread of HIV/AIDS is monogamy and abstinence.
If we can change the machismo attitude in having unprotected sex through education, why can’t we also work on changing the entire concept of having sex with multiple partners outside of a loving monogamous relationship as well?
Condom usage is not 100% fail proof and we are only fooling ourselves and those we attempt to convince of it if we think it is.
Studies show condom use around 85% to 95% effective.
Never mind a 1% to 2% failure rate.
Sorry, but the only 100% sure and effective way to prevent yourself from getting AIDS/HIV or any other STD is to abstain from sex.
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Ashley Arnold May 5th, 2010 at 14:10
Nathan, thank you for your comment.
I agree, education is still an important part of reducing HIV/AIDS and abstinence is a part of that curriculum. In addition, I and these studies are saying that men and boys should be included – and that their beliefs on gender should be considered.
However, an advocate working to save lives by reducing the spread of HIV/AIDS must focus not on what one could call ‘good sex’ vs. ‘bad sex’ based on the type of relationship, but on the safety of the act itself.
No, condoms aren’t failsafe, but sex happens. For example, the study from Puerto Rico in the article was of committed couples, some married, in which one partner is positive for HIV. Indeed, the study also encouraged mutual masturbation along with condom use, but the men in the study still voiced opposition to safe practices because of their gender constructs.
As for protection, the CDC states latex condoms provide an essentially impermeable barrier to particles the size of HIV, making them the best protection for those that have sex.
Sincerely,
Ashley
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Anita May 7th, 2010 at 18:43
I cannot argue with Nathan and in a perfect world we could have that 100% however until we get there one would have to rely on information that Ashley states–both sides can be brought together and much good can be achieved. How interesting!!
Nathan May 5th, 2010 at 13:19