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Thorpe S, Malone N, Peterson RL, Iyiewuare P, Mizelle DL, Hargons CN. The influence of pornography on heterosexual black men and women's genital self-image & grooming. Body Image 2024; 48:101669. [PMID: 38128239 DOI: 10.1016/j.bodyim.2023.101669] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2023] [Revised: 12/03/2023] [Accepted: 12/03/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023]
Abstract
Pornography consumption may negatively impact Black men's and women's genital self-image. Poor genital self-image is linked to negative mental health outcomes and sexual dysfunction. Despite this, little work has examined genital self-image among Black men and women, a group whose genital self-image may be informed by racist-gendered stereotypes and perceived expectations for genital grooming. The purpose of this multigenerational qualitative study is to examine how pornography impacts genital self-image and grooming for Black heterosexual men and women. Semi-structured qualitative interviews were conducted with participants (n = 20) across four generational cohorts. An inductive content analysis resulted in three categories and four subcategories. All participants reported pornography consumption at some point in their lifetime. The degree of influence on their genital self-image and grooming was categorized in four ways: no influence, perceived influence, and direct influence, and resisting influence. There were four subcategories within the perceived and direct influence categories: pubic hair grooming & preferences, designer vaginas, penis size, and partnered expectations. Black men and women differed in their reported influence of porn on genital self-image and grooming. Implications of findings for pornography creators, sex educators, and sex partners are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shemeka Thorpe
- University of Kentucky, Department of Kinesiology & Health Promotion, USA; University of Kentucky, Department of Educational, School, & Counseling Psychology, USA; University of Vermont, Department of Psychological Science, USA.
| | - Natalie Malone
- University of Kentucky, Department of Kinesiology & Health Promotion, USA; University of Kentucky, Department of Educational, School, & Counseling Psychology, USA; University of Vermont, Department of Psychological Science, USA
| | - Rayven L Peterson
- University of Kentucky, Department of Kinesiology & Health Promotion, USA; University of Kentucky, Department of Educational, School, & Counseling Psychology, USA; University of Vermont, Department of Psychological Science, USA
| | - Praise Iyiewuare
- University of Kentucky, Department of Kinesiology & Health Promotion, USA; University of Kentucky, Department of Educational, School, & Counseling Psychology, USA; University of Vermont, Department of Psychological Science, USA
| | - Destin L Mizelle
- University of Kentucky, Department of Kinesiology & Health Promotion, USA; University of Kentucky, Department of Educational, School, & Counseling Psychology, USA; University of Vermont, Department of Psychological Science, USA
| | - Candice N Hargons
- University of Kentucky, Department of Kinesiology & Health Promotion, USA; University of Kentucky, Department of Educational, School, & Counseling Psychology, USA; University of Vermont, Department of Psychological Science, USA
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