The sociocultural relevance of sex research: Challenges for the 1990s and beyond.

This article discusses six factors influencing research on sex and reproductive 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 behaviors; (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 is understood about sociocultural, ethnic, gender, and other issues that have yet to be examined is presented, with the ultimate goal of maximizing sexual health for diverse populations.