The One child policy has altered national attitudes towards sexuality, according to a new report, Sexual Behavior and Relationship of Chinese People: 2000–2006, prepared by Renmin University's Institute for Research on Sexuality and Gender.

The results demonstrated that for many Chinese people, sex was no longer mainly seen as a method of reproduction, a startling change which has been labeled as a veritable "sex revolution in China" by Pan Suiming, the report's leading researcher.

Pan laid the concept change at the door of the one-child policy that has regulated births in China since the late 1970s. "The first generation of the 'only children' born after 1980 are now approaching marriageable age. Most choose to have only one child, although they are able to have two if they are from one-child families," explained Pan, adding that only five percent of such couples wish to have a second child.

"Having sex has become more than just being about reproduction. This concept is now a firm part of younger generations' mindsets." said Pan.

The report also found that around 25.3 percent of Chinese people had more than one sex partner and that sexual behaviors varied widely. However, the report also noted a remaining taboo regarding talking about sex.

"Sex is still considered a taboo, but to do a survey is not as difficult as most people think if you find the key to free talk," said Pan.

"We always invited people to an interview room. Nobody will answer such questions in front of their family, but if the interviewer is of the same gender as the interviewee, people become less reticent to talk."

Another successful aspect was electronic surveying which spares embarrassment for the respondents. The report surveyed 6,010 people from across the social spectrum about their sex life and other private matters such as love affairs and sexual orientation.

(China.org.cn by Huang Shan, August 5, 2007)