ABSTRACT
The integration of ecological frameworks and iconographic data has created a qualitative body of work that has become a starting point from which to explore African American women's sexuality within the context of African American youth culture. The eight images, namely: the Diva, the Gold Digger, the Freak, the Dyke, the Gangster Bitch, the Sister Savior, the Earth Mother, and the Baby Mama were found to be widely accepted frameworks used to illustrate beliefs about African American women's sexuality in the heterosexual, male-dominated, African American-based, youth culture known as Hip Hop. This chapter examines both gender and racial identity factors that moderate African American adolescents' use of sexual images to give meaning to physical attractiveness and interpersonal relationships. None of the participants were currently involved in a romantic or sexual relationship. Participants were recruited from a federally funded after-school program designed for low income families.
