Migrant workers vulnerable to AIDS

A new survey on the sexual habits and reproductive health of Guangdong's migrant labor workers suggests that China's migrant population suffers from severe sexual oppression that could contribute to a rise in AIDS.

The polling results were released Saturday during the 7th-annual Sexual Culture Festival in the provincial capital Guangzhou.

The festival ends today at the Jinhan Exhibition Center. It has attracted huge crowds – mostly middle-aged men.

Ancient and modern sex toys, traditional Chinese women's underwear and a controversial book by a provincial family-planning official using cartoons to illustrate sexual education are among the festival highlights.

The survey, commissioned by the Guangdong Sexology Association, polled 3,093 migrant workers in Guangzhou and Dongguan between October 12 and 16 on a range of issues such as sexual behavior, extramarital sex, sexual repression, sexual satisfaction, intercourse frequency and contraception.

In all, more than two thirds of unmarried young people reported having sexual experiences, and the figure for unmarried men was said to be as high as 90 percent.

Many young women who have migrated from rural areas, where sex education is nonexistent, experience a culture shock in bustling cities. They may follow in their friends' footsteps by adopting a more open attitude toward sex.

Some women reportedly take modeling jobs, and others end up married but accepting their husbands' ernai (second wife) or mistresses. Other women may even go as far as participating in the online sex industry, such as chatting to men online while nude.

The survey also found that up to 36 percent of married men experience severe sexual repression. Due to separation from their wives or unhappy marriages, 30 percent of married men bought sex from prostitutes, and another 30 percent said they have had many sexual partners.

Fang Gang, a sexologist at Beijing Forestry University, told the Global Times that the migrant population paying for sex to satisfy their sexual urges is a "phenomenon" rather than a "social problem."

"Migrant workers are a special group whose sexual needs should be given special attention," Fang said.
"To show real care for this group of people, we should be open and tolerant to their choice and not interfere in their private lives," he added.

His views were echoed by Lei Duo, a sexologist in Guangzhou, who said that rather than focusing on lecturing migrant workers not to buy sex, the government should do more to have government officials regulate themselves.


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