Most would-be husbands and wives in China have had sex before
they get married, according to a research report of the China
Family Planning Association.
The report released by the association Wednesday cites
statistics from premarital physical examinations, a prerequisite
for obtaining a marriage certificate in China until a week ago.
According to the report, the ratio of premarital sex varied from
region to region, ranging from the lowest 44 percent to the highest
90.75 percent. The bulk of the regions are in the 60 percent to 70
percent bracket.
The research project was undertaken by the association under an
international cooperation program on the health of young people. It
analyzed 196 research reports on the subject done from 1990 to
2000.
Statistics from the association also show that since 1980, the
ratio of young people who don't care about premarital sex has risen
markedly. At present, one fifth to one third of young people hold
the view that sex is private affair that has nothing to do with
other people and society.
An official with the association said the sex issue of China's
young people hasn't received due attention yet. Much work still
needs to be done.
"Knowledge, attitudes, capability and behavior of the unwed
towards sex is still outside the national survey of population and
health. This isn't good for making policies and launching programs
on sex health," said Gu Baochang, deputy executive director of the
association.
As China opens to the outside world, Western values have entered
China along with investments. Compared with the 1970s when sex is
still considered a taboo to the general public, Chinese people now
tend to adopt more liberal attitudes towards sex.
(Xinhua News Agency October 10, 2003)