Chilean women's reflections about womanhood and sexuality during midlife in a Swedish or Chilean context

Health Care Women Int. 2009 Dec;30(12):1093-110. doi: 10.1080/07399330903276777.

Abstract

In order to learn about Chilean women's reflections about womanhood and sexuality during midlife, we held focus group discussions (FGDs) with middle-aged Chilean women living in Stockholm, Sweden, or in Santiago, Chile. We used thematic content analysis for the qualitative data. Emerging themes follow; societal expectations on women, perceptions about sexual relationships, and women's social stigmatization. The women had since childhood been strongly influenced by a gender-imbalanced world, which had made them socially, economically, and biologically at higher risk for exploitation during life. More focus should be directed to middle-aged women's life situation and promotion of gender equity in society.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Chile / ethnology
  • Cultural Characteristics*
  • Female
  • Health Status*
  • Humans
  • Interpersonal Relations
  • Middle Aged
  • Self Concept
  • Sexual Behavior / ethnology*
  • Sexual Behavior / psychology
  • Social Perception
  • Social Values / ethnology*
  • Socioeconomic Factors
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Sweden / epidemiology
  • Urban Population / statistics & numerical data
  • Women's Health / ethnology*
  • Women's Rights