| 311 Room 518 | Sexuality and Gender Monday, July 11, 2005 Time: 8:30 AM-10:30 AM |
Attitudes and Beliefs of Montreal South Asian Women Towards Sexuality.
Gupta, Namta*,2, Igartua, Karine*,1, Montoro, Richard*,1, 2 McGill University Department of Family Medicine, montreal, quebec, Canada1 McGill University Sexual Identity Centre (MUSIC), montreal, quebec, Canada
ABSTRACT- Context: Given sparsity of research regarding sexuality and South Asian Women, the researcher conducted nineteen face-to-face interviews within a group setting with women of the Montreal South Asian Diaspora aged 19 to 35 to gather data pertaining to their attitudes and beliefs towards sexuality. Objectives: To identify attitudes and beliefs of South Asian women living in Montreal towards sexuality. The themes gathered will direct quantitative research and aid in sensitivity training for health professionals. Ultimately, to enhance sexual health care for South Asian women. Design: A qualitative study. Nineteen face-to-face interviews within six group settings were conducted in Spring 2004. Setting: Recruitment was accomplished through extensive poster campaigning at McGill University, Concordia University and the South Asian Women′s Centre in Montreal, Canada. Participants: English speaking women between 18 and 36 years of age originating themselves or having at least one parent born in South Asia; specifically Bhutan, Bangladesh, India, the Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka or Afghanistan. Results: Nineteen participants in total were recruited representing four identified South Asian countries (Pakistan, India, Nepal and Bangladesh) and four religious backgrounds (Sikh, Muslim, Hindu and Agnostic). Discussion regarding attitudes and beliefs towards aspects of sexuality including definitions, importance, influencing factors, contraception and abortion, sexual satisfaction and interracial and same sex relationships. Conclusion: Individual sexuality for Montreal Women of the South Asian Diaspora is undeveloped in countries of origin. An acclimatization occurs quickly upon immigration that forces young women to contemplate sexuality issues. There is mixed reaction to abortion, and interterracial and same sex relationships. The majority of participants felt that sexuality for South Asian Women should be further explored and nurtured. ′
Key words: Sexuality, Asian, South, Attitudes, Immigration