Women Constructed By Biological, Social And Cultural Factors

Women are more vulnerable to contracting HIV/AIDS due to biological, social and cultural factors. Women of lower socioeconomic status are more likely to get HIV/AIDS. Prevention strategies and education should be designed so that women can truly prevent themselves from contracting HIV/AIDS, which will require an understanding of the biological, social and cultural factors, which prevent them from doing so currently. Women are biologically at risk due to “reproductive tract infections which make them more vulnerable to infection.” Social factors include lack of power, overall gender inequality and economic reliance on one’s sexual partner often prevents women from asking about their partner’s status. Cultural factors often affect

“In many societies there is a culture of silence that surrounds sex that dictates that “good” women are expected to be ignorant about sex and passive sexual interactions.” A study conducted indicated that women were less likely to ask their partner to use a condom or ask about their status if they were a previous victim of domestic abuse. Women who have endured domestic abuse are less likely to openly discuss their risk of contracting HIV/AIDS. Studies concluded have determined that men whom are violent towards their partners are more likely to have HIV/AIDS. This brings up the issue of getting into relationships with violent partners and them not being able to address the issue of status although they are more likely to contract HIV/AIDS if their partners are violent. Many women often rely on a man for socioeconomic support and often times these men are significantly older than

Men reported seeking out relationships with younger women in hopes of having more modern, exciting and stylish sex than they would have with their wives. One man described his recent encounter with a university student “Sometimes you think you are going to teach these girls something, but, hey, this girl was teaching me.” 7 These young women seem to view these sexual encounters as their “right” therefore making sex a more casual act, resulting in an increased number of sexual partners. For example, this young woman could have had sex with four other men in the past six months, this married man then has sex with her, he is now at a heightened risk for contracting HIV/AIDS due to her number of sexual partners. This married man will likely return to his home and have sex with his wife without protection, she is now at risk for contracting HIV/AIDS all stemming back to the young women’s casual sexual encounters with other men. Men participating in extramarital relationships often do this for an increased feeling of masculinity as well as acceptance by their male peer groups. One man that was known for having extramarital relationships with various young women expressed “It’s not only about