From: Rohit Khare (Rohit@KnowNow.com)
Date: Tue Oct 31 2000 - 21:43:30 PPET
>"Concerning India in particular, specially in the economically lower
>classes, sex is one of the most common streams of enjoyment and
>leisure," Bhatt said.
>It also reported that young people are having sex for the first time
>earlier than the older generations. While 16-20 year olds are losing
>their virginity at 16, the 25-34 year olds lost it at 18 and the
>over 45s did so at 19.
>Western countries predictably led the way in sexual statistics:
>Americans are losing their virginity at a younger age than people in
>any other country (the average age of first sexual encounter was 16)
>and claim to be enjoying the most sex at 132 times a year, while the
>French had the most lovers, with an average of 17.
===========================================================
Indians Not Sexy Enough: Survey
By SULEMAN DIN
10/21/00 5:10:00 PM
You watched Madhuri Dixit shake her hips in the cinema. You went
through your teen years without doing anything more than hugging and
kissing your long-time girlfriend, and then you married her. You
watch Madonna videos, and you secretly lust after her.
That is the profile of an Indian male's sexual behavior and
attitudes, according to a global survey by condom manufacturer Durex.
The company polled 27 countries in their search to find out what
gives people around the world an urge to merge.
"This comprehensive survey is the largest ever undertaken by Durex
and highlights the sexual attitudes and behavior of people across the
globe," Sarah Rose, Durex marketing director, said.
The survey not only looked at factors such as age at which one loses
virginity and the number of times one has sex over a year, but also
faithfulness and the major source of a person's sexual education.
The company claims it is the world's leading condom brand, and
provides cheeky factoids such as: "The energy created during sexual
intercourse is roughly equivalent to climbing two flights of stairs.
Get ready to walk up the Empire State Building in a Durex condom." It
sells 10 types of prophylactics, from its 'extra sensitive' version
to its 'Avanti' brand.
The Durex survey reported that on average, people worldwide have sex
96 times a year, and have had at least eight sexual partners. Men
claim to be more sexually active than women, making love 103 times a
year, compared to 88, and are having sex earlier than women at an
average age of 17.5, compared to 18.6.
It also reported that young people are having sex for the first time
earlier than the older generations. While 16-20 year olds are losing
their virginity at 16, the 25-34 year olds lost it at 18 and the over
45s did so at 19.
Western countries predictably led the way in sexual statistics:
Americans are losing their virginity at a younger age than people in
any other country (the average age of first sexual encounter was 16)
and claim to be enjoying the most sex at 132 times a year, while the
French had the most lovers, with an average of 17.
India, on the other hand, performed conservatively in the survey,
despite having the fastest growing population in the world.
While Indians got a respectable rating of having sex 95 times a year,
they were still the world's second oldest virgins (20).
And according to the survey, Indians were the most faithful to their
partners, with 82 percent saying they have had sex with only one
person.
Isha Bhatt, a graphic design artist from New Delhi now living in
California, felt that the reasons behind such numbers were "societal
pressure, mental conditioning, and the whole idea in India that sex
is taboo."
Others felt that traditional attitudes towards sex would change as
Indian society becomes more Western in its outlook. Anil Goel, an IT
professional from Mumbai, said, "Younger women in India have been
quicker than the men to change their attitudes, lifestyles and
mindsets. The men seem to be more confused and thrilled by the
opportunities but not quite sure how to make the most of it."
Indians also have a thing for tennis players, the survey revealed. In
rating the sexiest men and women, 22 percent of men voted for Steffi
Graf (topped only by Madonna, who got 31 percent), while 15 percent
of Indian women thought Andre Agassi was the sexiest man, over actor
Michael Douglas (12), singer Ricky Martin (12), and Prince William
(12).
"I think it is a sad turn of events if neither the sexiest women nor
men surveys reflect an Indian person," said Urmi Prasad, a marketing
specialist.
The survey questionnaire did not include any Indian celebrities, but
the choice of women was not entirely surprising to Goel.
"Steffi is very popular amongst the younger guys, but I did not
expect to her to top a list of sexiest women. I personally don't find
Madonna sexy at all."
One of the most interesting statistics provided in the survey was the
finding that in India three in 10 learn about sex from the cinema and
media, which is much higher than the global average of six percent.
"That's typical of a very conservative environment," Prasad said.
"This is not healthy though as incorrect, harmful, incomplete, and
other negative information is picked up. Stereotypes are also
perpetuated, so men have to do this and that and women should look
like this and that,"
"Sex has traditionally been considered a taboo thing in India," said
Goel. "Attempts have always been made to shroud it with secrecy, and
that has inhibited a lot of people from acquiring information from
sources such as magazines and personal communication."
Longtime non-resident Indians, on the other hand, were a bit
surprised that a survey could be done on sex in India.
"Man, seems like I left India a bit too early," said Raj Chugh, a
product manager who has been living in America for the past 12 years.
Taking sex surveys in India-or for that matter, in South Asia-cannot
always be reliable, said an Indian media professional.
"Unmarried people often do not want to fess up to sex outside of
marriage," he said. "They are afraid of social and religious taboos."
He added that the survey doesn't take into account people who might
be obsessed with sex, but are virgins because of a lack of
opportunity, or "prostitution, which is rampant in major cities like
Mumbai and Calcutta."
What everyone agreed on, though, is that while most people wouldn't
talk about it, people were definitely doing it.
"Concerning India in particular, specially in the economically lower
classes, sex is one of the most common streams of enjoyment and
leisure," Bhatt said.
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