Sexual subjectivity among young Vietnamese women
Sexual subjectivity among young Vietnamese women
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1243/d4dsmy81Keywords:
Sexual subjectivity, Sexual health, Women, Young adults, VietnamAbstract
Nowadays, growing efforts in promoting and implementing gender equality in Vietnam have contributed to transforming traditional and restrictive notions in the perception of women’s roles. However, sexual stereotypes and double standards continue to exist, posing obstacles that hinder women from experiencing sexuality proactively and with enjoyment. This paper describes the current status of sexual subjectivity based on data from an online survey of 302 young adult Vietnamese women aged 18-30, using the Female Sexual Subjectivity Inventory. The findings revealed that the Entitlement to Sexual Pleasure from Self factor scored the highest, while Body Esteem in a Sexual Context scored the lowest. Specifically, participants aged 23-30 years and living in urban areas reported higher body esteem in sexual contexts than those aged 18-22 years and living in rural areas. Besides, participants who identified as heterosexual, lived in rural areas, and were married reported lower entitlement to sexual pleasure from oneself compared to bisexual participants living in urban areas and currently dating. In addition, participants primarily living in rural areas reported significantly lower sexual self-reflection than those living in urban areas. The results highlight the need for further research focusing on the positive aspects of sexual health among Vietnamese women.
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