Studies on women's sexuality in China since 1980: a critical review

Abstract

Over the last 20 years, women's sexuality has become one of the most written about and intensely debated subjects in sexology, sociology and women's studies in mainland China. From these studies, one can trace the development of academic discourse on women's sexuality through three distinct phases: from a predominantly medical discourse, to the use of survey methods to investigate women's real experiences, and finally to a phase in which Western theories have become increasingly influential. Each phase features a distinct stereotype of woman. The implications of this review for sexual research in China will also be discussed.