Sex on the kitchen table anyone?

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Sex on the kitchen table anyone?

Friday, November 30, 2001

Subhadip Sircar

For a nation that has done it right a billion times, sex is no laughing

matter. And yet we revel in our contradictions when it comes to discussing

sex. While sex has been a taboo topic, too sensitive for public discourse,

we as a nation-state go into delirium every time Madhuri Dixit breaks into a

dhak-dhak number.

But all that may be changing and for the good. If you are to go by the

findings of a recent global sex survey released recently, Indians may

finally be bringing their sexual fantasies and habits out of their closets.

Sample some of this. Indians not only love their bhaji on the beach, a third

of Indians (32 per cent) would not mind a dalliance there, too. Seven per

cent would, however, prefer a more domestic setting, notably the kitchen

table! We have an average of three partners. And while 77 per cent have a

single partner, 23 per cent of Indians have averaged a whopping 10 partners

each. Talk of sexual reticence.

These are some of the more interesting finds of the sixth Durex Global Sex

Survey, which studies the sexual behaviour and habits of people worldwide.

The survey, carried out by Durex, the world's leading condom brand, reveals

that people around the world are having sex an average 97 times a year. The

Americans lead the way, making love around 124 times a year (around once in

three days), followed by South Africans and Croatians (both 116) and New

Zealanders (115).

Globally, it is also being witnessed that young people appear to be having

sex for the first time at a significantly younger age than previous

generations. While the over-45s had sex at around 18.7 years, those aged

16-20 tried physical intimacy for the first time at 16 years. However,

almost a fifth admit that they had sex for the first time at 15 years or

less.

Now for some good news. While we may feel threatened by the Chinese in

everything from soft toys to motorcycles, when it comes to the bare basics,

we beat them on all counts.

The Chinese have sex an average of 72 times a year, Indians clock a better

average at 76. While Chinese have their first sexual encounter at an average

age of 22, we Indians taste the forbidden fruit at an average age of 20.3

years.

Condom usage remains low in India. The Indian non-subsidised branded condom

market is 280 million units, which manufacturers say is low for a nation of

our size. And the growth rate at 5 per cent is not too encouraging. This is

something in which our finance minister may find solace, considering his GDP

growth estimates are not faring too much better.

On a more serious note, almost seven in 10 Indians (69 per cent) are

concerned about contracting HIV/AIDS or other sexually transmitted

infections, but many are not protecting themselves. Another area of concern

is condom usage while having sex. Twenty-five per cent of Indians take this

protective measure while having regular sex, but when it comes to new or

casual partners, condom usage stands low at 17 and 15 per cent,

respectively.

Indians, however, do remain traditionalists on some counts. Indian teenagers

tend to protect their virginity more than other nationalities and the

average age for a first sexual experience is 20.3. This compares with the

British 16.9 and the American 16.

When it comes to preferred information about sex, medical professionals and

friends remain our preferred source. Interestingly, while a quarter of

British adults prefer to seek sexual advice from their mothers, only 6 per

cent of Indians would choose to do the same.

Finally, when it comes to the last word, the land that gave the world the

Kama Sutra has finally got its act in place.

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© 2001: Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd. All rights reserved

throughout the world.

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