Sexual agency through the lens of gender and migration

Sexual agency through the lens of gender and migration: The case of sub-Saharan youth in Switzerland

Based on the results of a qualitative research conducted with young people from sub-Saharan Africa living in Switzerland, this article shows that sexual trajectories, representations and practices cannot be understood outside of the identity issues related to interethnic relations. Faced with a plurality of sexual norms and cultural, religious or moral references in different social environments (family, migrant community, peer groups, school, etc.), young people demonstrate sexual agency. The latter varies according to gender and migration.

Keywords:

• sexual agency
• sub-Saharan migration
• sexual norms
• interethnic relations
• sexual socialization