One common assumption about Chinese society is that it has been dominated by Confucianism since ancient times.
This assumption neglects the fact that China has experienced many political changes throughout history. Moreover, during the Mao era, religion was strongly suppressed, including all forms of Christianity, Buddhism, Islam, Taoism, and even ancestral worship. In contemporary Chinese culture, people may be either atheist or agnostic and live without any religion. This has led to an interesting situation where traditional cultural rules shape intimate behavior despite the absence of religious authority.
In Chinese culture, sexual relationships are governed by strict social norms and expectations.
Premarital chastity is highly valued, especially for women. Young women are often expected to remain virgins until marriage because their family's reputation depends on it. Men also need to maintain a good image as they must marry and start a family later in life. The pressure to conform to these rules leads to feelings of anxiety and stress among young adults who want to explore their sexuality but fear judgement from others.
Sex education is rarely taught in schools and parents often avoid discussing sexual health issues with their children. As a result, young people are left to learn about sex through trial and error or unreliable sources like pornography. This lack of information can lead to risky behaviors and unsafe practices.
Despite these limitations, erotic relationships still exist in Chinese societies. Some couples choose to have casual encounters without commitment while others enter into long-term arrangements like open marriages or polyamory. These types of relationships challenge traditional values that emphasize monogamy and exclusivity.
They also create opportunities for exploration, experimentation, and personal growth.
Cultural sexual rules continue to influence how people engage in intimate behavior despite the lack of religious authority. While some may view this as a negative aspect of society, it provides an interesting lens through which we can study human nature and desire.
In atheist Chinese societies, how do cultural sexual rules shape intimate behavior and influence erotic relationships despite the absence of religious authority?
Cultural sexual rules are often considered as codes of conduct that regulate sexuality by prescribing what is acceptable or unacceptable within particular cultures (Wood et al. , 2018). In most cases, these rules are shaped by religion but may also be influenced by other factors such as culture, history, politics, economy, and social norms.