Women, STDs and safe sex: A review of the evidence

This paper examines the current rates of STDs and unsafe sexual behaviour among young Australian women, and reviews the literature which has attempted to explain the ways in which young women's constructions of sexuality influence their safe sex behaviours. It is argued that, while gender inequalities remain central to young women's heterosexual experiences, ethnicity, class, religion, parents schools and peers all play a role in shaping the meanings which they attach to sexual relationships and safe sex. In addition, more recent research has highlighted the importance of the different interactional contexts which either facilitate or inhibit women's safe sex practices. The implications for safe sex education are discussed.