The following is the third excerpt in Caribbean Journal from Marcia Forbes’ book, Music, Media & Adolescent Sexuality in Jamaica . The research-based book examines relationships between teens and TV, in particular through the music videos they watch. Findings are based on the participation of about 550 Jamaican teenagers. The book explores issues of sex and sexuality and how these relate to questions of identity – self, social and sexual.

By Marcia Forbes, PhD

Gender Identity
In one of her songs female DJ Ce’Cile expresses concern regarding the extent to which Jamaica males, in keeping with fashion trends, have taken over the colour pink, traditionally accepted as reserved for females. She laments the manner in which female attire was being worn by males. “We can’t hot again ‘cause a de man dem/Dem a buy off we blouse and we pants dem/Dem thief we pink colour my God then/Dem nuh soon start wear wi thong dem?” (Ce’Cile 2005). The pants to which Ce’Cile refers are the skintight variety usually reserved for females. In a similar manner, a winner of a ‘dutty wine’ contest who was featured on TVJ criticized local males for “taking over” this dance which she felt was clearly designed to be performed by females.

These examples highlight the erosion of gender differentiation in dress and dance (key markers of gender identity) among some Jamaicans. Are young Jamaican males, known to live in a homophobic society, simply following fashion trends by feminizing their garments or is there something more at play?

If we agree that “gender-role identity is a good predictor of psychological adjustment” (Berk 1997: 518), then one could question how well adjusted Jamaican males are. How do they perceive their gender identity and in what ways may these perceptions play out in their sexual preferences, especially in view of what they see in music videos? What are the sources of sexual motivation for Jamaican adolescents, males and females, and where do music video messages fit in?….

It seems reasonable to accept culture as one of, if not the determining force in male and female sexuality. Sexual culture, however, similar to other aspects of culture, is not fixed and immobile, but rather exists in a state of constant flux, albeit quite often an unhurried flux. What is acceptable now may not be so in the future and what was accepted in the past may be unacceptable today. It is this evolution which now faces us with respect to sex in music videos. What would have been totally unacceptable on-screen prior to the launch of MTV is now commonplace as music videos ‘push the envelope’ with respect to sexual images.

Sexuality, Power & Patriarchy
Under patriarchy both men and women must know and keep their places at work, at play, and at home, including in the bedroom. Patriarchal culture defines ‘normal’ sexuality within the context of male-dominance and power. Men are expected to desire and to have women. This becomes tied up with sexual control whereby dominance and violence are exerted by men with women very often in willing complicity. Many Jamaican music videos of all musical genres play out the ideals of patriarchy in subtle and sometimes not so subtle lyrics and images….

Sex is seen as ‘natural’, there is nothing strange about it and it should not be repressed (Chevannes 1993). Sex is also seen as being healthy. For men it’s about releasing their ‘nature’ which, as noted earlier, folklore promotes as required to ward off medical problems, for women, the release is needed for regular menstruation and to cleanse the body.

Among lower income groups, sexual activity involving girls 15 years and over is generally accepted, as long as it does not result in pregnancy (Brodber 1975: 37). Both males and females often engage in sexual intercourse for reasons other than love and extra-union relationships are commonplace. Many women do it for money and the independence this gives them, as highlighted by female DJ Macka Diamond in her song “Money O” (2005)