ABSTRACT
As of 2006, in terms of sexual behavior and all of those activities so widely prevalent and hypocritically condemned in the West, the young Chinese still remained relatively innocent and in some ways seemed to prefer to stay that way, at least on the surface. To many, just the freedom to think about it, toy with it, tease a little, flirt a bit, was enough. In a lot of ways China was still in the 50s, careening towards the Sixties, and about to jump a light year or two into the future in the next few years with unknown consequences. Of course as in all cultures promiscuity has always existed but was still being kept in the closet (along with homosexuality). Like in the States, Chinese sexuality itself has remained mostly confined to modes of fashion, music, film, and popular culture, rather than in most people’s actual everyday lives. Yes, the Chinese got the latest films, music, and world news, as soon as did their American counterparts, if not sooner (granted, in large part due to piracy). The young women wore name brand jeans, designer t-shirts, white see-through dresses and miniskirts, and used Estee Lauder products. The men used cologne and aftershave and sought to resemble the Back Street Boys. But it wasn’t that long ago that most images coming from China, whether through the Hollywood filter or via news outlets, implied all was unisex. Women, while liberated, were depicted as being just like men (never vice versa) and instructed not to reveal their femininity (presumably a weakness). The female Chinese Party official in The Red Violin was a typical example.
