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Mate Availability and Women's Sexual Experiences in China
Katherine Trent1, Scott J South
1University at Albany, State University of New York.
Journal of Marriage and the Family
|May 15, 2012
Summary
In communities with more men than women, women experience higher rates of sexual activity, premarital sex, and sexually transmitted infections (STIs). This finding supports demographic-opportunity theory regarding sexual behavior.
Area of Science:
- Sociology
- Demography
- Public Health
Background:
- The demographic-opportunity theory suggests that the local sex ratio influences individual sexual behavior.
- Understanding this relationship is crucial for public health initiatives and social policy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between the local sex ratio and various sexual outcomes among women in China.
- To examine how community-level sex ratios impact women's sexual activity, premarital intercourse, sexual coercion, and STI prevalence.
Main Methods:
- Utilized data from the 1999-2000 Chinese Health and Family Life Survey (N = 1,369).
- Integrated survey data with community-level census data from 1982, 1990, and 2000.
- Employed multilevel logistic regression analyses to assess the relationship between sex ratio and sexual outcomes.
Main Results:
- A higher local sex ratio (more men per 100 women) was significantly associated with increased likelihood of sexual activity among women.
- Women in communities with a skewed sex ratio were more likely to have engaged in premarital sexual intercourse.
- A relative abundance of men also correlated with a higher incidence of forced sexual encounters and a greater likelihood of testing positive for sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
- Education, birth cohort, and geographic location were identified as significant predictors of women's sexual experiences.
Conclusions:
- The local sex ratio is a significant demographic factor influencing women's sexual behaviors and health outcomes.
- Findings support the demographic-opportunity theory, highlighting the impact of community-level sex ratios on individual sexual experiences.
- Public health strategies addressing sexual health and STIs should consider the influence of local demographic structures.
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