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No Sex Ed = 13M+ Abortions

In China, sexual freedom not accompanied by information

By Harry Kimball, Newser Staff

Posted Nov 5, 2009 12:41 PM CST

(Newser) – The liberalization of Chinese attitudes toward sex, despite the near-absence of sex education, has led to a sort of bedroom farce that would be hilarious if it didn’t result in at least 13 million abortions a year. College students in particular feel comfortable having sex; now, if only someone had taught them how to put on a condom. “People born in the 1980s and '90s are most in danger,” one tells Michelle Tsai. "We're liberal, but we didn't have any sex education."

Internet message boards buzz with questions about whether kissing can lead to pregnancy—and, of course, many computers are rigged so finding the answer is impossible. “There's a gap between how open people are about sex and how informed they are,” Tsai writes on Slate. As a result her student interviewee—who went to a Qing Dynasty text for condom advice—and her roommates all arrived at college virgins. By graduation, one had had 3 abortions in one year. And that 13 million number? It doesn’t include unlicensed procedures—or the 10 million abortion pills sold each year.

[Images (2)]

[Quotes (1)]

Chinese are becoming more liberal about sex, but are woefully uninformed as a result of government and tradition. (AP Photo)

A Chinese couple walks near a street known for its budget motels near a university in Beijing, China. (AP Photo)

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The public understanding of safe sex hasn't caught up with China's newfound freedom in the bedroom. Many Chinese people, especially those in less-developed parts of the country, still rely on withdrawal or the rhythm method for contraception. - Michelle Tsai

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COMMENTS

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Showing 3 of 52 comments

yukonchuck06

Feb 10, 2010 4:31 AM CST

Well, I look at it this way, that's 13 million less chinese people around.... : ) I JOKE, I KID....... Look, abortion can never be considered a form of birth-control...There are alternatives, try ANAL.... Cuz' most of the poulation is filled with assholes...

newsrmandan

Nov 6, 2009 12:51 PM CST

with the thoughts produced by such an education that "thinker" paid for how can I expect them to be productive. I don't. That was my point wherever thinker got this so called education it failed him. I agree with you though edu. is too expensive here but that has many factors to it. One is the idea that everybody needs a higher education in order to be successful in this life. Thats a lie fed to the population by liberal educators. Who are more interested in making sure everyone is equally stupid without any reasoning capabilities- their much easier to control. They see a social problem and say "educate" them. IE. abortion is so pervasive because kids aren't educated enough about contraceptives and so we must keep abortion legal because well kids are stupid. Oh wait didnt we educate these kids. Aaarrgh!!!!

USAHomeofthebrave

Nov 6, 2009 11:23 AM CST

Okay then, non-thinker and divetrader believe women in China are better off than women in the US. My next question; Would you live in China if you could?????????

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China • abortion • contraception • pregnancy • Internet • sex education • liberal • college student

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No Sex Ed = 13M+ Abortions