GENDER-POWER RELATIONS AND SAFER SEX NEGOTIATION

This paper examines the gender-power relations in heterosexual relatio nships and discusses the implications for women in attempting to negot iate safer sex. Whilst acknowledging the need for examining both male and female perceptions of sexuality, the paucity of research on men's heterosexual experiences has restricted this paper to the consideratio n of the woman's standpoint. Reviewing the literature, the complexitie s of sexual relationships are explored in terms of the power imbalance which arises from the ideologies of femininity and masculinity. The i mplications for safer sex promotion by practice nurses working in prim ary health care teams are then discussed within the context of gender divisions of labour and gender role conflict.