Sex-for-crack-cocaine exchange, poor black women, and pregnancy.
A sample of 34 poor Black women who exchanged sex for crack was screened to discover if sex-for-crack exchanges resulted in pregnancies. Ethnographic interviews were conducted with women who became pregnant this way. Out of the 34 women, 18 reported sex-for-crack pregnancies, and more than half of that number became pregnant this way more than once. Twenty-nine pregnancies were reported. Only 2 women chose to have abortions. Interview transcripts were analyzed using qualitative data analytical procedures. The following three issues shaped the women's responses to sex-for-crack pregnancies: (a) severity of crack use, (b) religious beliefs, and (c) social organization patterns within poor Black communities. The findings have implications for drug treatment and child welfare policy.
Sharpe
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D000328:Adult; D001741:Black or African American / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D000884:Anthropology, Cultural; D019970:Cocaine-Related Disorders / Q000523:psychology*; D016578:Crack Cocaine; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011203:Poverty; D011247:Pregnancy; D018873:Pregnancy Rate; D011477:Sex Work / Q000523:psychology*; D014481:United States
D016578:Crack Cocaine