Continuity and Change in Premarital Sex in Vietnam

Abstract

(1963-1971, 1977-1985 or 1992-2000) were used to assess trends and regional differences in the prevalence and context of premarital sex.

Attitudes Toward Premarital Sex in Contemporary Vietnam: Findings from a National Survey

“…Few studies have examined changes in premarital sexual behavior in Vietnam throughout time (Ghuman, Vu, Vu, & Knodel, 2006). Using survey data from three marriage cohorts that had experienced dramatic social and economic changes between the 1960s and the 1990s, Ghuman and his colleagues found an increasing trend of premarital sex in succeeding cohorts among both married men and women, controlling for age at marriage.…”

“…For example, Mensch et al (2002) reported that around half of the married women had had premarital sex by the age of 21, as compared with 6% among the unmarried sample. This marked difference, on the one hand, may be due to possible reporting biases: married individuals may be more willing to talk about premarital sex practice (Ghuman et al, 2006;Mensch et al, 2002). On the other hand, it may reflect the true prevalence of premarital sex as women may be likely to have sex with their future husbands once they decide to marry (Mensch et al, 2002).…”

“…Using an audio computer-assisted self-interviewing method (ACASI) among unmarried youth aged 15 to 24 in a suburban district of Hanoi revealed that 17.1% of men and 4.5% of women had had premarital sex, slightly higher than the prevalence of 12.9% of men and 3.4% of women who used the paper-and-pencil self-interviewing method (Le, Blum, Magnani, Hewett, & Do, 2006). Regardless of methods used, the literature suggests that premarital sex, while increasing, is not yet common among Vietnamese youth (Ghuman et al, 2006;Mensch et al, 2003;MOH, 2005;Zabin et al, 2009). …”

“…In addition to gender differences, significant variations in premarital sex by residence have also been reported: urban residents are often more liberal than rural residents with regards to sexual behaviors and attitudes (Ghuman, 2005;Ghuman et al, 2006;MOH, 2005;Zabin et al, 2009). Some have attributed the differences to better access to the media and higher exposure to Western ideologies, which have weakened the influence of traditional cultures and ideologies (Ghuman, 2005;Pham, 1999;Taylor, 2001).…”

“…At the community level, there may be significant variations in attitudes toward sex before marriage between geographical regions and between urban and rural areas (Ghuman, 2005;Ghuman et al, 2006;MOH, 2005). The concentration (percentage) of unmarried people who intended to postpone sex until marriage was hypothesized to be associated with individual's openness to premarital sex: if one lived in a community where most people intended to wait until marriage to have sex, he or she would be more likely to disagree with premarital sex.…”