THE SOCIOCULTURAL RELEVANCE OF SEX-RESEARCH - CHALLENGES FOR THE 1990S AND BEYOND

This article discusses six factors influencing research on sex and rep roductive health: (a) the selection of grouping variables on the basis of race; (b) conceptual frameworks to examine sexual risk taking, (c) use of recreational rather than procreation-based models of sex; (d) research designed to control rather than to understand sexual behavior s; (e) use of a dominant, male perspective; and (f) the focus on women to minimize sexual risk taking. The effect of these factors on what i s understood about sociocultural, ethnic, gender, and other issues tha t have yet to be examined is presented, with the ultimate goal of maxi mizing sexual health for diverse populations.