Sexuality Education Among Universitv Students In China

This paper is about sexual health education for unmarried Chinese and their knowledge about sexuality. It explores the situation of sexuality education in families, at schools and the influence of the media. Sexual attitudes and behavior are changing to be more liberal which leads to a changing situation for the use of contraception, the spread of sexual transmitted infections and rising abortion rates. This paper also includes a research among university students at Zhejiang University in Hangzhou which asked about their sexuality knowledge, behavior and experiences.Sexuality is a central aspect of being human throughout life and can be described in many dimensions. Sexual health is a state of physical, emotional, mental and social well-being in relation to sexuality. Sexuality education provides information, skills and positive values to help young people to understand and enjoy their sexuality, have safe and fulfilling relationships and take responsibility for their own and other people’s sexual health and well-being.Parents play an important role in educating their children about sexuality health. But still sexuality seems to be a taboo in Chinese homes. Basic knowledge about sexuality is taught at schools, but is still partly insufficient. Students criticize the classes are superficial and focus too much on physiology and little is taught about contraception. Therefore the media has an increasing influence and is an important source for Chinese youth to learn about sexual matters.Many young Chinese have positive attitudes towards premarital sex and more and more are sexual active before marriage. Premarital youth are considered to be one high risk subgroup for sexual transmitted infections and the risk is rising. Knowledge about contraception, sexual transmitted infections is limited and many unmarried youth engage in unprotected sex. This results in a high rate of unplanned pregnancies and induced abortions among unmarried women. A survey at Zhejiang University was carried out among132junior and senior students. Students were asked about sexuality education and where students have their knowledge from, what knowledge they have, about their sexual behavior and experiences also including sexual repression. Media is with41.5%the most important source for sexual knowledge. The most important persons are friends (63.3%). Parents play a very little role in sexuality education as only12.1%received sexuality education at home. About65.1%of the students reported that they received sexuality education classes at school, but among those only32.6%learned about contraception. About76.8%of the students reported they want to know more about premarital sex. About90.5%reported not being sexual active. Regardless of prior sexual experiences about9.8%reported having experienced sexual repression.