Sex in China: Studies in Sexology in Chinese Culture

by Fang Fu Ruan

China today is sexually (and in many other ways) a very repressive so­ ciety, yet ancient China was very different. Some of the earliest surviving literature of China is devoted to discussions of sexual topics, and the sexual implications of the Ym and Yang theories common in ancient China continue to influence Tantric and esoteric sexual practices today far dis­ tant from their Chinese origins. In recent years, a number of books have been written exploring the history of sexual practices and ideas in China, but most have ended the discussion with ancient China and have not continued up to the present time. Fang Fu Ruan first surveys the ancient assumptions and beliefs, then carries the story to present-day China with brief descriptions of homosexuality, lesbianism, transvestism, transsexualism, and prostitution, and ends with a chapter on changing attitudes toward sex in China today. Dr. Ruan is well qualified to give such an overview. Until he left China in the 1980s, he was a leader in attempting to change the repressive attitudes of the government toward human sexuality. He wrote a best­ selling book on sex in China, and had written to and corresponded with a number of people in China who considered him as confidant and ad­ visor about their sex problems. A physician and medical historian, Dr. Ruan's doctoral dissertation was a study of the history of sex in China.

Genres: China, Sexuality, Nonfiction

222 pages, Hardcover

First published October 31, 1991

Reviews

[A YOGAM · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sex in China: Studies in Sexology in Chinese Culture ist ein von Fang Fu Ruan (1931-2013), chinesischem Wissenschaftler, Arzt und Autor, 1991 verfasstes Buch, das detailliert die Geschichte, Kultur und Traditionen der Sexualität in China untersucht.
Fang Fu Ruans Sex in China: Studies in Sexology in Chinese Culture bietet einen tiefgreifenden Einblick in die wechselvolle Beziehung zwischen Sexualität und Gesellschaft in der einzig ununterbrochenen Zivilisation der Weltgeschichte. Das Buch beleuchtet, wie kulturelle Zurückhaltung und tief verwurzelte Traditionen, geprägt durch antike Sexualtechniken der Daoisten (Taoismus) und klassische chinesische Erotika, die Perspektiven auf Sexualität über Jahrtausende hinweg formten – von der Akzeptanz und späteren Verfolgung der Prostitution bis hin zum Wandel der Einstellung zu Sexualität in der heutigen Zeit.

In einer umfassenden Analyse zeigt Ruan, wie Homosexualität von einer goldenen Ära in der Antike zu einer dunklen Periode der Ablehnung überging, und wie Transvestismus und Transsexualität in Chinas Geschichte wahrgenommen wurden. Durch die Verknüpfung von Mythos und Methode, die Erforschung gesellschaftlicher Dynamiken und den Vergleich mit westlichen Konzepten liefert das Buch eine einzigartige Perspektive auf den Wandel der sexuellen Kultur – von den Dynastien über die Kulturrevolution bis zur Moderne.

[Erza · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ce mec à beaucoup travaillé pour l'éducation sexuelle en Chine, et les anecdotes qu'ils donnent sur la vie dez homosexuels font chialer

[Warren Paris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Note the period.
Note the choice of language.

Ignoring these points, o noticing them and critically identifying how it affects the piece, do read this book to understand that some of the repression that exists in China has not existed throughout all of its history.

There are numerous cited sources that are good for follow-up reads, especially for those that are considering learning more about poetry, history, culture, and Chinese literature.
It is a quick read. Sadly, the romanization is quite annoying.

Time has changed since this was written. However, it is a useful piece of opening literature. Opening, in this sense, means the opening of the culture after the repression that had occurred in the generation prior. The rebirth of homosexual/transsexual identity and openness is good. It is hopefully something that continues to grow. Other sexual aspects have definitely changed. Interracial,post-marital relations,group,prostitution, etc. have all grown. The availability of condoms and other safe sex materials have helped these aspects grow as well.