Detraditionalisation and attitudes to sex outside marriage in China

Abstract

China has undergone massive socio-economic change over the past 30 years. In parallel, there have been huge changes in social and sexual mores. Until the end of the Mao era strict norms prevailed, with sex outside marriage widely regarded as immoral and unacceptable. Detraditionalisation theory describes the abandonment or reconfiguration of the socio-cultural traditions and has been explored widely in Western settings. This study aimed to explore its relevance for China through exploring attitudes towards premarital sex, extramarital sex, same-sex relations and sex work. We conducted semi-structured interviews with 212 men and women aged 18 to 39 in urban and rural areas of three provinces: Zhejiang, Guizhou and Yunnan. Analysis identified emerging themes. Results show varying degrees of acceptance of the four sexual behaviours, with premarital sex seen as common, homosexuality still regarded as unacceptable by the majority but considerable acceptance of commercial sex work as part of male business transactions and social life. China appears to be on a pathway of detraditionalisation with specific Chinese features. This study suggests that the concept of detraditionalisation applies well to non-Western contexts, but the path it takes is culture-specific and relatively unpredictable.

Sexual Infidelity in China: Prevalence and Gender-Specific Correlates

“…In several ways, China provides a natural experiment: Along with economic development, sexual mores have changed rapidly (Farrer, 2000;Parish, Mojola, & Laumann, 2007;Zheng et al, 2011). In urban areas, below age 45, urban women were educated almost as much as men and mostly in the labor force with an income about 80% of that of men (NBS, 2010).…”

“…Much as in many former socialist societies in Europe, is it possible that Chinese abhorrence of extramarital sex has softened (Widmer, Treas, & Newcomb, 1998;Zheng et al, 2011)? Moreover, because it typically involves short-term relationships with little or no emotional commitment, do women find a husband's/partner's sex with female sex workers (FSW) more tolerable (Buss, 1994;Zheng, 2009)?…”

A study on Chinese bulletin board system forums: how Internet users contribute to set up the contemporary notions of family and marriage

“…Furthermore, Zheng et al (2011) argued that China appears to be on a pathway of de-traditionalization of attitudes towards four sexual behaviours: premarital sex, extra-marital sex, same-sex relationships, and sex work. There are varying degrees of acceptance of these four sexual behaviours, with premarital sex seen as common and with considerable acceptance of commercial sex work as part of male business transactions and social life.…”

Urgent need for contraceptive education and services in Chinese unmarried undergraduates: A multi-campus survey

“…Sex is considered as a taboo or a private topic, and premarital sex and unmarried pregnancy are considered as stigma in traditional Chinese culture [1,8] . As a result, 77.5% of pregnant students thought such experience would negatively affect their reputation and future.…”

“…Medical students were not less likely to experience an unintended pregnancy than nonmedical students (OR, 1.111; 95% CI, 0.906-1.287). The substantial proportion of unintended pregnancy among undergraduates indicates a need for convenient and targeted contraceptive education and services.Since reform and opening-up to the outside world, premarital and extramarital sexual intercourse has been more common among young people in China [1] . With the growing prevalence rate of premarital and extramarital sex in young people, sexually transmitted infections (STIs), unintended pregnancy, and abortion have become serious social and health issues in the country [2][3][4][5] .…”