Sex and relations (for study purpose)

[Qiuyue]

Hi

I am in need of books, DVDs and the like to be used in a seminar on "sex and relations in china".

I have searched on Amazon a lot, and found many interesting academic textbooks.

I would, however, also like to read a few novels (modern or antique : ) and watch movies that could illustrate or raise thoughts on this topic. Study-material that is (yes, there will be real stories invovled as well )

So, all recommendations are highly appreciated

Thanks

[gougou]

I guess I can't help you with the primary aim of your search, but this (just came in through Danwei today) might come in handy.

[gato]

Are you teaching it in China? To what kind of students? Can you give us some examples of what you are going to teach?

[furyou_gaijin]

Judging by the title, I thought this thread was about finding a 'girl-friend' for purposes of studying the language... Highly recommended.

[MartinF]

"sex and relations in china"

well I recommend all kinds of things. First some DVD's:

these are the English titles (or romanization of Chinese titles). You will have to find the Chinese titles if you want to find them in China:

"Ju Dou" village life, marriage and infidelity. Starring Gong Li.

"In the mood for love" Hong Kong city life in the 1960's, marriage, infidelity. Starring Chow Mo-wan (Tony Leung) and Su Li-zhen (Maggie Cheung).

"Beijing Bicycle" teenage love in modern Beijing.

"Chungking Express" Hong Kong city life in the 1990's. Frustrated, unrequited love.

One common theme in most of these movies is unrequited love. Meaning love is never consummated. Oh, and lot of frustrated people who can't communicate with eachother. So in many of these movies sex never actually happens because nobody actually tells their partner how they feel. Or nobody acts on their feelings. It's a little strange for westerners because we almost always tell eachother how we feel. We tend to be more proactive about dating and sex. It's OK for women to make the first move.

I also have an American friend in Beijing. We both used to work at Disney on animated films. He moved to Beijing and he writes an advice column for Chinese students with love problems. It's pretty good. Here are links to some of his columns, so far. He writes for some English language newspaper in Beijing.

http://mfoster.smugmug.com/gallery/3114745#170483444-O-LB

http://mfoster.smugmug.com/gallery/3114745#170483521-O-LB

http://mfoster.smugmug.com/gallery/3114745#170483561-O-LB

http://mfoster.smugmug.com/gallery/3114745#170483480-O-LB

Finally, I also have some experience in this area and can compare it to western "sex and relations" in quite a lot of detail. You probably should e-mail me on some specifics, if you want.

Martin

[yonitabonita]

Hey,

I gave a lecture on this very topic several years back. I can't for the hell of me find my bibliography, but a few names come to mind:

- Judith Farquar, "Food and Sex in Post- Industrialist China".

- Jianying Zha by Jianying Zha, "China Pop: How Soap Operas, Tabloids and Bestsellers Are Transforming a Culture"

- Mu zi mei - If you do a google search on her, you'll probably find some very interesting material. She basically had sex with a heap of guys and posted her secrets all over the internet. The internet readership of her blog was phenomenal. So, the whole phenomenon was very telling in terms of the development of sex in China - if you compare sexual attitudes in China in the 70's to that of today, (ok, Muzimei was 5 years ago now), there's arguably a huge change.

- Shanghai Baby will give you a perspective on sex in China.

- Roman Weber, "Made in China" talks about youth underground, and there's something in his book about sex.

I hope this helps.

Y

edit: whoops, I just realised you didn't need any academic texts. Should read more carefully.

[gato]

Check out this video about speed dating:

http://www.tudou.com/programs/view/Ra_BgL3mIfw/

[jonaspony]

I am interested in how Asian women have become sexual commodities in the West - why all the interest in Asian sex? Why has the phrase "me love you longtime" become so entrenched in English language that I found it as a label on a dog's rawhide chewtoy? Why are reports of Chinese sex habits such world news that the BBC reports them at about two-yearly intervals? (When the extramarital-sex statistics are investigated further it shows the change is far less significant than they propose i.e. most of the extramarital sex occurs between people who later were married).

China's sexual history is colouful and titillating. But does it seem to anyone else that Westerners have a slightly morbid desire to see China become Western, and most importantly, to adopt Western morals? That modernisation is not enough - that it must be Westernised?

[Qiuyue]

Thank you all so much for quick and informative responses.

As for the seminar, it is kind of privately organised, with foreign students attending.

I hadn´t heard about "China Pop", but also it is already more than a decade since it was written, it might be outdated??

"Shanghai baby" is certainly on my list, but I think I need something to "counter" that one. I am absolutely sure it is not representative of the life of girls and boys, men and women in more "remote" (as it is called...) areas.

And I think my biggest challenge is to find material on those more ordinary people of the villages and smaller and poorer towns of China. Maybe "Private life under socialism" at least could give som historical insights.

Has anyone read "The culture of sex in ancient china" (rakita goldin)?

[simonlaing]

Dear Qiuyue,

If your chinese is up to par, there is a good recent 3 years old , movie called cell phone or shouji 手机 about how the advances in cell phone empower wives of VIP people like this talk show host to find out about lovers and even get evidence to black mail people.

Also I wonder if a look at the law codes might help, often if divorces are not mutual they can take a very long time, so the man often can set the terms , even sometime keeping custody of children who get promptly sent to the grandparents for being raised.

There is are still issues surrounding divorce in China, with certain official univerisities nad other government agenicies limiting promotion in their jobs,

have fun,

Simon:)

[yonitabonita]

It's possible that China Pop might be outdated, but then again, if you're interested in taking a look at the historical development angle, it could be of use. I was interested in seeing the historical development of sexual attitudes from Mao to current day China, so all books on the topic were of interest to me regardless of dates.

Looking at advertising, magazine covers, billboards, TV ads would be an obvious way to go. If your Chinese is up to it, a discourse analysis of Chinese Cosmo or other women's magazines would tell you a whole lot about sex and sexuality in contemporary China. How do they describe the 'it' girl. The consistent reference to 'sexiness' being the aim of womanhood suggests a whole lot too. Ditto with men's magazines.

The topic : "Sex and Relations in China" strikes me as seriously broad and one that you could write several PhDs about. What do you mean by 'sex', and 'relations', and 'China'? I don't mean to sound like a Pol Sci 101 ass, but I think that you need to narrow these terms before you can get something useful.

Just some thoughts.

Y

[jonaspony]

yeah... yonitabonita is right, a little definition of the topic would be handy.

Do you want to talk about the media's representation of the subject or the actual siuation? You seem to be looking to rural China, so the media doesn't represent that reality. As far as the relationship between sex and marriage goes, there was a large study by Higgins et al, Sex Roles, Vol. 46, Nos. 3/4, February 2002, comparing UK and Chinese students' opinions. If you can't get a copy I could email you one.

J

[Qiuyue]

Thanks again folks!

Of course its a topic broad for enough for a dissertation. So are all topics. And some are even too broad

The seminar will not be so academic, however. And it will be an opportunity for foreigners in China to reflect on their own experiences in this matter.

[madizi]

For a history of sex, see 'Sexual Life in Ancient China' by R. H. van Gulik. I think that although it was written in 60s, you can still find some useful info for your topic. At least for "Introduction" section of your seminar.

[Justin Goldberg]

I think some Americans probably feel enlightened by the more open, less puritanical attitudes about sexuality in Asia, eg. that sex is natural and enjoyable and a basic part of life and health*; on the other hand there's also widespread restlessness and jumping from partner to partner and a rebellion against the marriage for life ideal.

* is that right?

[gato]

I think some Americans probably feel enlightened by the more open, less puritanical attitudes about sexuality in Asia, eg. that sex is natural and enjoyable and a basic part of life and health*;

* is that right?

No, you are thinking of Holland.

[jonaspony]

Quote:

I think some Americans probably feel enlightened by the more open, less puritanical attitudes about sexuality in Asia, eg. that sex is natural and enjoyable and a basic part of life and health*; - (can someone tell me how to make a quote box?)

Yes, yes, and but.... Are the two so mutually exclusive? If you study sexuality in China you will find apparent contradictions. On a hutong wall in Beijing you might see a hand painted poster encouraging women to assist in the husband's sexual health by regularly exercising the organ. The Chinese are not necessarily 'puritanical' - after all, the word refers to the puritan forefathers of the USA (and their friends in England). Certainly, they have been marriage centred, but because of different causal factors.

If anything, the Chinese are more calculating about sexuality, more matter of fact in many ways. Much of that is driven by sustained poverty. The means by which family wealth is divided, and therefore dissipated, must be carefully controlled to avert disaster.

And, I find, Chinese women, particularly, are aware of the health benefits of intimacy - and that this is in no way exclusively linked to sex. Same-sex friendships and provide a good deal of intimacy. And, if you can imagine this or simply accept it, some of that intimacy is on a really very deep, creative and sensual non-sexual basis. (Are you wondering what I mean and how I know?)

Personally, I think that the Chinese view of sex is, by and large, more complex, more reasonable (in terms of its being 'part of life and health'), more economically sound, and more viable in terms of the continuation of a cohesive society. The enormous underclass of prostitutes which has emerged illustrates both the flexibility of the Chinese mind regarding sex and, unfortunately, the sad fact that sex is not always good for the health. Real bummer way to finish... but there you go.

[gato]

And, if you can imagine this or simply accept it, some of that intimacy is on a really very deep, creative and sensual non-sexual basis. (Are you wondering what I mean and how I know?)

I think Bill Clinton knows.

[madizi]

Yea, jonaspony, I agree. It seems that only European culture had (and still has) problems with sex. But this is because of its history after the fall of Roman Empire.