Sex and the attitude of people towards it in Asia have been historically shaped by deeply ingrained societal, religious and cultural norms. However, with the modernization of religion, as it continues to get globalized, sex views are even undergoing some significant transformation. Considering the same, the article delves into traditional and evolving perspectives of people in Asia regarding sexuality. It will also explore some cultural taboos, modernization impact and education's role in shaping sexual attitudes.
For many centuries, Asian culture continued to treat sex as a subject of taboo. It was not discussed openly because of traditional values, discomfort, and familial prioritization apart from societal roles played by people. However, despite it all, Asian live sex shows are a hit in the adult entertainment market today. The primary reason behind this is that people have the comfort of fulfilling their sexual fantasies without being judged.
In the words of Dr. Martha Tara Lee, one of the Singaporean experts on human sexuality, most Asians, specifically those who were born before the year 1980, received little to no education on sexual roles and more. Both their homes and schools failed in this respect. The lack of education can stem from the focus of the parents on academic achievement; after all, they consider it a pathway to future success, thereby ignoring some of the essential topics like sex. As per Dr Lee, Asian parents avoided the discussion on sex because they feared that this would distract the kids from their studies and compromise their prospects.
Sexual education absence, according to our research, is also compounded by some linguistic limitations in varied Asian languages that generally lack the words for the basic sexual terms. To say, as per Dr Lee, in Mandarin, there is no specific word for clitoris. While in Hindi, masturbation and ejaculation-like terms remain virtually non-existent. Because of this limited vocabulary, they create an environment where the conversations about sex get stigmatized, and it leads to misconceptions as well as a lack of understanding.
Dr Lee's research highlights that societal norms label open discussion regarding sex as improper or indecent. It, therefore, further reinforces the silence around the topic and people shifting to porn and more. Even Asian sex live performances have today become a hit.
Such taboos have an extension to the media representation, where sexual content gets filtered via the Western lens. It leaves the Asians without any relatable narrative or models.
Despite Asian societies having a conservative measure, sexual activity here remains an essential aspect of life. According to a pooled analysis made via the Global Better Sex Survey, it was revealed that women and men in countries including Japan, Indonesia, South Korea, and Hong Kong reported having engaging intercourse 5.1 to 4 times every month, respectively. 2/3rd of the respondents remained less than fully satisfied with the sex lives they had. As for the men, 36% expressed interest in the improvement of sexual experiences.
The survey also found that Asian women and men valued foreplay and intimacy. Men specifically mentioned erection hardness to be vital to them. Despite such responses, few of the respondents reported having erectile dysfunction medications. Among these men, a significant number of them showed interest in the solutions for enhanced sex lives. This reflects upon the gap between willingness and aspirations to seek help, which is openly influenced by stigma and cultural inhibitions.
A significant portion of the Asian population faces issues related to sexual health. However, as said above, only a few seek medical help.
According to the research, approximately 1 in every 3 women experienced sexual dysfunction. They faced conditions like vaginismus- a condition wherein the vaginal muscles tighten up involuntarily. It makes penetration either impossible or painful. Now, this is quite a common condition.
Dr Lee observed that many clients, specifically women, did struggle with lower sexual desire, and they had a lack of sexual expression within the marriage. It led to emotional disconnect and dissatisfaction.
Any lack of early education about sexuality acts as one contributing factor to such challenges. As per Dr Lee, people having much more sexual knowledge are less likely to experience any kind of sexual difficulties. It is the absence of knowledge that makes the individual ill-equipped to address or even recognize sexual health needs.
Asia today witnessed a massive shift in attitudes of people towards sexuality. It is driven by the younger generation, increased access to information, and globalization. In 2022, Asia-Pacific (APAC) emerged as one of the most significant contributors to the sexual wellness market. Some factors, like the growing acceptance of sexual wellness products, like those discreetly designed adult toys, apart from the normalization of the discussions on sexual health, are all contributing towards reshaping the perceptions of society.
For example, Gen Z, apart from millennials, is trying to break taboos by embracing sexual wellness and health. The retail stores sell more approachable wellness products in mainstream malls with pastel-theme designs. Such a normalization of sexuality and associated topics reflects upon the broader Trend, where Asians are now challenging traditional norms while advocating for much more open conversations associated with sexual health.
Technology and media are playing some significant roles in the transformation that is happening. The streaming platforms and social media have introduced Asian audiences to diverse perspectives on sexuality, which are the representation of communities like LGBTQ+, for discussions to be made on sexual wellness. Also, the applications and online platforms are now offering anonymous consultations on sexual health. They have made it much easier for individuals to get the help they need without judgment.
Even though Asia, as a whole, continues to experience a sexual revolution, the attitude of people towards sex continues to vary quite significantly across cultures and countries. For example, South Korea is known for the higher rate of infidelity. Approximately 40% of men and 11% of women engage in extramarital affairs. In contrast to this number, conservative countries, including Malaysia and Indonesia, maintain strict moral codes that remain influenced by religion, wherein infidelity can be punishable by imprisonment.
In a place like Thailand, which is considered to be much more sexually liberal, approximately 56% of the population admitted to cheating on their partners. Here, women were much more likely than men to engage in infidelity. Such a variation highlights diverse cultural and societal factors that influence sexual behavior across all of Asia.
With Asia continuing to modernize, this region faces a unique opportunity to redefine its attitude towards sexuality. Here, education remains quite crucial for the transformation. Introducing comprehensive sexual education in schools can help dispel myths and even equip the future generation with knowledge for remaining informed and making better decisions about sexual health.
Furthermore, fostering open discussions regarding sex within communities and families helps to reduce the stigma and even encourage individuals to seek help for issues related to sexual health. By embracing modernity and tradition, Asia will be able to navigate the complexities of the sexual revolution, thereby creating a much more inclusive and highly understanding society.
