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Social Oppression and Attitudes Toward Sexual Practices

California State University, San Marcos

Gary Rolison

California State University, San Marcos

This study theoretically frames and supports the view that dominated groups engage in more behavioral self-surveillance and therefore are more restricting of their sexuality. The authors posit that sexual behavior and attitudes in the United States reflect patterns of dominance and inequality and that these structures of sexual inequality are enshrined in taken-for-granted American moral dispositions that are in turn structured by locations in the stratification order. These data find that Black women, Black men, White women, and persons of low socioeconomic status differ in the amount of sexual capital they hold, reflecting their position in a stratified society. Results obtained from this work theoretically frame and find that persons of higher social class and White males have greater access to sexual capital. Women, particularly Black women, appear to be the most affected. Findings implicate the importance of understanding how expressions of intimacy are conditioned by group dominance.

Key Words: social oppression • race and sexuality • race • class and gender inequality

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