Sexuality in China: A review and new findings

Abstract

In the past four decades, sexuality research in China has made considerable advancements. From historical and sociological perspectives, our study reviews the literature and provides a comprehensive overview of sexuality in contemporary China by drawing on recent survey data that we collected. First, we introduce sexuality in ancient and modern China and discuss the social contexts that gave rise to a sexual revolution in China. Second, we briefly review empirical research on sexuality in China. Finally, we present results on recent changes and socioeconomic patterns of sexual attitudes and behaviors based on our survey—the 2020 Chinese Private Life Survey. A cohort analysis reveals that sexual attitudes have become more liberal in China, with an earlier sex debut and more diverse sexual activities. Surprisingly, however, we find that sexuality seems to have diminished in its appeal among young cohorts, who have lower rates of sexual frequency than preceding cohorts. In addition, we find a reversal in educational gradient in relation to sexual activeness and diversity. Among those born before 1980, highly educated Chinese are more sexually active, while among those born after 1980 the lower educated are more sexually active—in terms of their sexual activity with their partners, seeking out sexual partners online, and engaging in commercial sex. Compared with women, men have higher levels of sexual well-being.

Quality of Life and Mental Health of Chinese Sexual and Gender Minority Women and Cisgender Heterosexual Women: Cross-sectional Survey and Mediation Analysis

“…Compared to the twentieth century, the living conditions of sexual minority populations in China do not seem to have changed much and lesbians have always been more hidden and invisible than gays [63]. According to a recent national survey on sexuality in China, for women born in the 1980s and 1990s (similar to the age group of the population surveyed in this study), 30.3% and 18.1%, respectively, believe homosexual sex is always wrong, and both rates are higher among men in the same age groups [64].…”

Preferences for facial sexual dimorphism is related to frequency of pornography consumption among heterosexual‐identifying men and homosexual‐identifying men: A mediating role of sociosexuality

“…Homosexual people may be more prone to use pornography owing to sexual‐orientation‐related information‐seeking and/or scarcity of potential romantic or sexual partners (Bőthe et al, 2020). Another possible reason is that sexual‐minority men are less likely than their heterosexual peers to receive sexual education and information that addresses male–male sexual relationships from traditional sources (e.g., school, parents/guardians; Nelson, Pantalone, et al, 2019), especially in China (Yu et al, 2022). To learn more about sexual expression and intimacy and other related information, multiple sexual minorities have turned to internet sources, including online media (Nelson, Carey, et al, 2019), and consumption of online pornography may help affirm homosexual identity (Giano, 2021).…”

Relatively Unworthy Victims? Middle-Aged Women as Rape Survivors

“…Grubb & Turner, 2012; Li & Zheng, 2022; Xue & Lin, 2022). Second, we include age in our analysis as previous studies point out that younger generations are associated with more liberal sexual attitudes (Yu et al, 2022), which could link to a lower level of endorsement of rape myths. Participants’ age is measured in years as a continuous variable.…”

“…Rape survivors were even socially required to restore their own and families’ reputations by committing suicide after being raped, as death was viewed as a smaller matter compared to a loss of sexual virtue (Ng, 1987). Despite the fact that younger generations demonstrate more liberal sexual attitudes compared to the past (Yu et al, 2022), the high value attached to female virginity and chastity is still present today (Lyu et al, 2020). Luo (2000), from her interviews with 35 rape survivors in Taiwan, which shares a broader Chinese cultural practice, found that these survivors felt a strong sense of guilt in imposing social disgrace on their family members.…”