Ethnic and gender differences in sexuality: Variations in sexual behavior between Asian and non-Asian university students

Abstract

Seven hundred and two (346 non-Asian, 356 Asian) undergraduate volunteers were assessed in a confidential laboratory setting on levels of interpersonal sexual behavior (e.g., petting, intercourse), intrapersonal sexual behavior (e.g., fantasy, masturbation), and sociosexual restrictiveness (e.g., lifetime number of partners, number of "one-night stands"). The purpose was to examine possible differences in sexual behavior between Asian and non-Asian Canadian university students and to determine the association between North American residency and the sexual behavior of Asians. The role of gender on sexual behavior both across and within ethnic groups was also examined. Statistical analyses revealed that Asian students were significantly more conservative than non-Asian students on all measures of interpersonal sexual behavior and sociosexual restrictiveness. Significant differences were also noted between Asian and non-Asian students on most measures of intrapersonal sexual behavior. With the exception of two fantasy items, length of residency in Canada was unrelated to interpersonal sexual behavior, intrapersonal sexual behavior, or sociosexual restrictiveness among Asians. Although gender differences were substantial for intrapersonal sexual behaviors such as fantasy and masturbation, no significant gender differences were found for measures of interpersonal sexual experience, with the exception of reported number of one-night stands.

Sexuality Related Attitudes and Behaviors of Turkish University Students

“…However, the frequencies of men and women in terms of losing virginity and gender differences in age at first intercourse vary across cultures (see Higgins et al, 2002;Kupek, 2001;Meston et al, 1996;Ozan et al, 2005).…”

“…Men have been much more likely than women to report that they have engaged in sexual intercourse (Herald, Valenzuala, & Morris, 1992;Meston et al, 1996).…”

“…The university student population is a suitable venue for studying sexual attitudes and behaviors as this age group has discovered sexuality recently and, hence, is at a stage of forming attitudes about sexual matters. In fact, university students have been widely employed in the literature on sexuality (e.g., Edmonds, Cahoon, & Shipman, 1991;Hatfield, Sprecher, Pillemer, Greenberger, & Wexler, 1988;Meston, Trapnell, & Gorzalka, 1996;Person, Terestman, Myers, Goldberg, & Salvadori, 1989;Sprecher, 1989;Sprecher & Regan, 1996). Nearly 25% of sexual behavior surveys in the U.S. have been carried out with unmarried college students (Ericksen & Steffen, 1996).…”

Romance, sex and coercion:insights into undergraduate relationships

“…Studies conducted in South East Asian countries have shown that premarital sex is common among youth and mostly occur between partners of romantic relationships (6,7). It has also been noted that sexual relations that occur within romantic relationships are not always consensual.…”

“…Furthermore, in Asian cultures, short term and long term negative consequences of premarital sexual behaviour, both physical and emotional, have been found to be more in women. Gender inequality and the imbalance of power have been cited as playing a crucial part in coercive and abusive sexual behaviour within romantic relationships between males and females (7). Attitudes of young people on gender roles are cited as a powerful mediator of their expressions of sexuality and to be an underlying determinant of sexual behaviour (8).…”