An American journalist has written in depth about the sexual revolution going on in present day China. The journalist, Richard Burger, has expressed his concern regarding the clash between sexual revolution and sexual repression in today’s China in his book “Behind the Red Door: Sex in china”. He has done extensive research and collected information regarding the sexual history of Chinese people from the ancient times to the present date. China has always been very orthodox and stringent in matters of sex and there are many examples that support this fact. According to Richard the nature of the sexual revolution that is building up in China is nothing like the American sexual revolution that took place in the 1960s.
Long back, before the Cultural Revolution and reform of China, there was barely any difference between the way men and women dressed in the country. Gender superiority and patriarchy were definitely predominant. Men and women were not allowed to hold hands or display affection in public. Marriage and sexuality were dominated by traditions and personal freedom in these matters was unheard of. Richard thinks that the sexual revolution is shaping up but slowly and its outcome cannot be predicted with certainty yet.
Even now, when women have started wearing short skirts and dresses, virginity is thought to be the ultimate sign of feminine charm. Women do indulge in pre marital sex but they try their best to cover their tracks to impress their husbands on marriage night. Thousands of girls undergo surgery to restore their hymen. It costs them more than $700. Women who cannot afford to spend such huge amount of money get a synthetic hymen for the marriage night. The synthetic hymens produce fake blood on getting torn. This shows that women are not yet empowered or bold enough to feel secure with their sexual desires and identity. All these point towards deep rooted sexual repression and lack of self expression.
Homosexual relations are accepted socially and the gay men are forced to get married with heterosexual women with normal sexual needs. Women who are well educated but not married are still seen as social outcasts and called ‘leftover women’. Richard thinks that it started with the teachings of Confucius who talked so highly about the need of marriage and filial piety. Acute lack of proper sex education and growing porn industry and gay bars are the contradictions which is impacting the sexual revolution deeply.