Social Class and Sexual Liberalism in Contemporary China: An Analysis of Attitudes towards Sexuality

By constructing the sexual liberalism index (SLI), this study tests the hypothesis that social class impacts sexual liberalism in China.

This study uses the Seventh World Value Survey (2017–2022) as data source. Based on survey questions regarding homosexuality, premarital sex, and casual sex, the author constructed a sexual liberalism index (SLI) and checked its correlation with social class by conducting a multivariate ordinary least squares (OLS) regression analysis. Control variables include gender, marital status, place of residence (urban or rural), and age group.

The results show that social class is a significant predictor of sexual liberalism, with higher social class corresponding to higher levels of sexual liberalism. Other predictors such as marital status, place of residence, and age group also have significant but smaller impacts on sexual liberalism.

The overall level of sexual liberalism among the general population is limited. China’s SLI value is low in both global and regional context. The study suggests that the “sexual revolution” in China is still ongoing. A variety of phenomena can be linked to conservative attitudes.

Policymakers could consider targeted support programs and educational campaigns for various groups based on their socioeconomic status. By prioritizing comprehensive sex education, promoting safe sex practices, and challenging societal norms, policymakers can contribute to fostering a more informed, inclusive, and supportive environment for diverse sexual attitudes and behaviors in contemporary Chinese society.