The Influence of Culture on Sexuality: Gender Stereotypes and Condom Use among Young Mexicans

Fatima Juarez, El Colegio de México
Cecilia Gayet, El Colegio de México
Miguel A. Sanchez, Instituto Nacional de Salud Publica
Carlos Conde, Instituto Nacional de Salud Publica

Despite the government actions to prevent AIDS, the upward trend in HIV infection continues among young heterosexuals in Mexico. A key element, usually not considered, in the policies and programmes are the cultural factors that may prevent condom use. This paper focusses on the obstacles that prevent the systematic use of condoms in the sexual relationships among young Mexican students. Several elements that may act as obstacles to condom used are examined, such as knowledge of prevention, socio-demographic, cultural factors and gender constructions on safe or unsafe sexual practices. The data - both quantitative and qualitative - were collected specially for this analysis, and biological markers of risky behaviour (laboratory tests) were also obtained. Our findings indicate that gender is a key element in the construct of sexuality, risk and prevention. Gender relations make young people not feel the need of prevention of sexually transmitted infections or HIV/AIDS.