Comparing Sex-attitude of Westerners with Respect to the Contemporary Traditional Indian Sex-attitude

Key Question Being Explored in This Insight:

Navneet Chopra aims to assess the degree of deviance of sexual norms of westerners with respect to the traditional Indian sexual norms along four dimensions

View the page of: Navneet Chopra

Institution: University of Delhi

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Navneet Chopra aims to assess the degree of deviance of sexual norms of westerners with respect to the traditional Indian sexual norms along four dimensions

Image courtesy of interviewee. July 30, 2024

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This video discusses a systematic study focused on exploring attitudes towards sexuality in India, contrasting them with perspectives from Western countries. The study involved interviewing individuals from various regions, assessing four key dimensions: virginity attitudes, freedom of expression and indulgence in sex, fidelity expectations, and double standards related to gender.

Key findings include:

1. **Virginity Attitudes**: In India, virginity remains a significant concern, especially in the context of marriage, whereas it is less emphasized in the West.

2. **Double Standards**: The research highlighted a notable gender disparity in sexual freedom, with men enjoying greater liberties compared to women. While some improvements were seen in Western attitudes, gender-based protective behaviors, particularly by brothers, still exist.

3. **Freedom of Expression**: There was a marked difference in the freedom to express sexuality, with Indian society being much more restrictive. Western societies tend to allow for more freedom, with fewer instances of harassment.

4. **Fidelity Expectations**: There is a similar expectation of fidelity in romantic relationships across both cultures, suggesting some common ground despite differing social contexts.

The researcher notes a shift in Indian attitudes since the study was conducted in 2005, particularly among the youth in metropolitan areas, where there is a growing acceptance of diverse relationships, including open and polyamorous marriages. However, traditional values still dominate in rural areas, where issues like honor killings persist.

The author poses a critical question regarding whether increased liberalization in sexual practices contributes to greater intimacy and happiness or dilutes love and connection. The implication for future research is to further investigate the impact of these evolving attitudes on relationships and well-being.

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00:00.165 --> 00:01.605
I should conduct a systematic study.

00:02.125 --> 00:05.285
I should interview the ERs who visit, Poncher,

00:05.745 --> 00:07.165
and they stay there far long.

00:07.745 --> 00:10.565
So it was just based on that interview based study.

00:11.615 --> 00:14.595
Uh, and it was conducted on four dimensions.

00:14.815 --> 00:16.555
The first one was virginity attitude.

00:16.555 --> 00:20.275
Second one was freedom of expression and indulgence in sex.

00:20.805 --> 00:22.675
Third one was fidelity expectation.

00:24.425 --> 00:27.985
And, then double standards. So double standards.

00:27.985 --> 00:29.385
In India, we have,

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very strong double standards about males and females.

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Like, males have much more liberty

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for exploring their partners romantic sexual partners,

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whereas females, don't have that liberty.

00:43.905 --> 00:46.385
A brother helps his another, another brother

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to find a girlfriend actively,

00:48.565 --> 00:51.065
but he won't, do the same for his sister,

00:51.165 --> 00:54.425
and he will try towar her efforts to find a boyfriend.

00:55.045 --> 00:58.305
So these were the issues which, attracted me

00:58.325 --> 00:59.825
and I thought I should,

01:00.125 --> 01:02.025
ask the people from Western world.

01:02.685 --> 01:04.465
So that was a guiding motivation.

01:04.515 --> 01:07.505
India has been very liberal, classic from classical periods,

01:07.505 --> 01:10.225
like Kama Sutra has been written by

01:10.255 --> 01:13.905
what Sinai in 4,000 BC 2, 280.

01:14.445 --> 01:19.225
And then we have, Rajo Temple, we have ATA

01:19.845 --> 01:23.865
ORs, and then Sun Temple, where explicit depiction

01:23.925 --> 01:25.385
of sexuality is there.

01:26.045 --> 01:29.505
And then I guess, in the 10th sanctuary

01:29.505 --> 01:31.465
with Muslim invasion, and then later on

01:31.465 --> 01:34.985
with the Victorian values under the British rule,

01:35.155 --> 01:37.345
these transformations might have happened.

01:38.425 --> 01:43.245
So, but, this study was conducted in 2005.

01:43.465 --> 01:46.125
So things have changed much in today's India,

01:46.125 --> 01:47.885
particularly in Delhi where I teach.

01:48.625 --> 01:50.605
And I keep asking my students that,

01:50.605 --> 01:52.685
what is your attitude now on these dimensions

01:52.685 --> 01:53.685
and other dimensions?

01:53.945 --> 01:57.525
And a lot have changed actually since 2005 as well.

01:57.745 --> 01:59.045
In my knowledge, there was none.

01:59.545 --> 02:02.165
So probably my study was the first of its kind.

02:02.585 --> 02:04.565
And subsequently, I have observed many more

02:04.585 --> 02:05.685
new works have come up.

02:06.205 --> 02:10.445
I just interviewed, some, 14 people

02:11.395 --> 02:14.365
from, USA Canada,

02:14.625 --> 02:17.325
and some European countries, Germany, Spain, and all that.

02:17.945 --> 02:19.925
So it was just based on interview,

02:20.465 --> 02:22.485
and I had a questionnaire in my hand.

02:23.065 --> 02:27.245
But, I also allowed my subjects to speak freely, freely

02:27.305 --> 02:31.445
beyond, what is, asked in questions.

02:32.145 --> 02:35.685
So usually ask them in the groups so that everyone should,

02:36.005 --> 02:38.125
everyone should be able to participate

02:38.145 --> 02:41.525
and correct any, shortcoming informed

02:41.585 --> 02:42.645
by one participant.

02:43.685 --> 02:47.385
But mainly questions were asked to one subject at one time,

02:47.685 --> 02:49.825
and then I shift it to other groups.

02:50.165 --> 02:54.105
So this was the method at that time in 2005,

02:54.565 --> 02:57.385
for an Indian mine, it was startling to know

02:57.385 --> 02:58.865
that virginity is not an

02:58.865 --> 03:02.405
Issue at all for western mind, which is a big, which,

03:02.405 --> 03:04.365
which, which was a big issue at that time.

03:04.565 --> 03:07.125
I mean, a boy getting married to a girl,

03:07.185 --> 03:09.085
and if it comes to know she's not virgin,

03:09.505 --> 03:10.605
he is going to divorce her.

03:10.905 --> 03:12.805
It was very evident at that time.

03:13.735 --> 03:16.955
So this was a startling result in virginity attitude.

03:17.215 --> 03:19.875
In along that dimension, then,

03:19.875 --> 03:22.955
regarding double standards, I came to know that,

03:22.955 --> 03:25.155
things are a little better than India,

03:25.255 --> 03:26.475
but not very different.

03:27.135 --> 03:30.035
Uh, boys try to stop

03:30.215 --> 03:33.995
or protect their sisters from the approaching males

03:34.295 --> 03:37.675
who are prospective romantic partners that is there as well,

03:37.675 --> 03:40.715
but they don't stop so vehemently as it is done in India

03:40.935 --> 03:42.475
by the brothers regarding their sisters.

03:43.415 --> 03:47.465
So, double standards were, little

03:48.975 --> 03:50.625
dian, but not very deviant from that

03:50.625 --> 03:51.905
of standard Indian attitude.

03:53.145 --> 03:56.965
Aga then farther other two dimensions, like,

03:57.155 --> 03:59.405
this expression of sexuality

03:59.665 --> 04:02.965
and indulgence, that was also significantly different

04:03.195 --> 04:07.605
because, in India at that time, romantic affairs

04:08.195 --> 04:11.845
were confined to, they were much, much lesser

04:11.905 --> 04:14.245
as compared to now what is happening in India.

04:14.945 --> 04:17.605
So, girls are not permitted to Rome freely

04:17.655 --> 04:19.245
after, dusk.

04:19.595 --> 04:22.725
Whereas in European countries, they move freely

04:22.945 --> 04:26.245
and they're, they are much lesser instances of eve teasing

04:26.825 --> 04:29.485
or other, crimes against women.

04:30.305 --> 04:34.525
Uh, so in India, these are big problem

04:35.125 --> 04:37.005
e teasing and, all these things.

04:37.625 --> 04:42.375
So, freedom of expression, of sexualities.

04:43.325 --> 04:46.335
Also, it was much, liberal,

04:46.575 --> 04:48.495
I would say in the Western world, as compared

04:48.495 --> 04:50.575
to in the Indian counterpart.

04:51.325 --> 04:53.455
Then fidelity expectation is still

04:53.725 --> 04:55.215
practiced in the Western world.

04:55.565 --> 04:56.935
Once, a boy

04:56.935 --> 04:58.775
and girl, they are in a romantic relation,

04:58.775 --> 04:59.775
committed relationship.

05:00.165 --> 05:02.735
Then they do expect to remain faithful to each other

05:02.795 --> 05:04.255
and not to have a fear elsewhere.

05:04.595 --> 05:08.535
So that thing was, just similar to what we see in India.

05:08.755 --> 05:11.815
Uh, there's media exposure, there's lot of internet,

05:11.835 --> 05:13.535
and we see movies so fast.

05:14.035 --> 05:16.455
So that's the evolution of society

05:16.515 --> 05:17.895
or culture is a natural process.

05:18.675 --> 05:22.515
So along in in that vein, now,

05:23.345 --> 05:25.725
Indian youth, they are much more liberal.

05:26.465 --> 05:30.245
Uh, one of my research students, she is working, she is,

05:30.685 --> 05:32.085
researching in the area of marriage

05:32.265 --> 05:35.925
and, also alternative, find alternative kinds

05:35.925 --> 05:39.565
of marriage like open marriage and, even polyamory.

05:40.065 --> 05:42.895
So these things are though lesser,

05:43.035 --> 05:46.655
but they have come, they have come up in practice in India,

05:46.655 --> 05:50.095
particularly in metro cities like Delhi or Bombay, Bangore.

05:50.675 --> 05:53.095
So these are new practices.

05:53.435 --> 05:55.895
People are becoming much more liberal and

05:57.795 --> 06:00.725
Exploring alternative ways of marriage

06:01.425 --> 06:03.525
and, sexual relationships.

06:03.815 --> 06:07.045
These developments are in the metro cities

06:07.665 --> 06:09.365
in like Delhi or Bombay.

06:09.705 --> 06:12.685
But in the small towns, still largely it is,

06:12.905 --> 06:14.005
same old idea.

06:14.785 --> 06:18.565
So there are some changes, like now parents are,

06:19.075 --> 06:21.325
accepting the love relationships,

06:21.475 --> 06:23.365
boyfriend girlfriend kind of relationship.

06:23.365 --> 06:25.805
They're tolerant nowadays, but not in villages.

06:25.825 --> 06:28.285
In villages still honor killings happen.

06:29.105 --> 06:31.565
If girl marries a boy of other cast,

06:31.995 --> 06:33.605
then parents get offended

06:33.705 --> 06:36.125
and they, they may go far even killing of the girl,

06:36.925 --> 06:38.665
though they're also being practiced

06:38.665 --> 06:40.345
simultaneously in the villages.

06:41.025 --> 06:43.605
But in towns, even in small towns,

06:43.605 --> 06:45.365
parents are now much more liberal.

06:45.635 --> 06:48.445
They accept a romantic relationship before marriage.

06:48.825 --> 06:52.805
The kind of sexual practices which are coming up in India

06:53.105 --> 06:56.125
and the whole all over the globe, that is connected

06:56.125 --> 06:59.245
with one, central issue of human happiness and,

06:59.305 --> 07:02.005
and the issue of love, that intimacy.

07:02.665 --> 07:06.965
So if we are becoming more liberal in our sexual practices,

07:07.065 --> 07:09.965
is it increasing happiness and love

07:09.985 --> 07:12.765
and intimacy between the couples, between people,

07:13.345 --> 07:15.605
or it is diluting that love and ness?

07:15.665 --> 07:16.965
That's a big question.

07:17.915 --> 07:20.455
So future implication of this study

07:21.025 --> 07:23.695
would be exploring in this direction that

07:23.695 --> 07:24.935
what is the result?

07:24.935 --> 07:26.795
What are the implications? Are,

07:27.055 --> 07:31.795
is openness in sexuality leading us to better intimacy

07:31.795 --> 07:35.395
and love, or it is leading to dilution of love and intimacy.

"Exploring Cultural Attitudes Toward Virginity, Sexual Freedom, and Gender Double Standards in India and the West"

00:00:00 - I should conduct a systematic study. I should interview the ERs who visit, Poncher, and they stay there far long. So it was just based on that interview based study. and it was conducted on four dimensions. The first one was virginity attitude. Second one was freedom of expression and indulgence in sex. Third one was fidelity expectation. And, then double standards. So double standards. In India, we have, very strong double standards about males and females. Like, males have much more liberty for exploring their partners romantic sexual partners,
00:00:43 - A brother helps his another, another brother to find a girlfriend actively, but he won't, do the same for his sister, and he will try towar her efforts to find a boyfriend. So these were the issues which, attracted me and I thought I should, ask the people from Western world. So that was a guiding motivation. India has been very liberal, classic from classical periods, like Kama Sutra has been written by what Sinai in 4,000 BC 2, 280. And then we have, Rajo Temple, we have ATA ORs, and then Sun Temple, where explicit depiction
00:01:26 - And then I guess, in the 10th sanctuary with Muslim invasion, and then later on with the Victorian values under the British rule, these transformations might have happened. So, but, this study was conducted in 2005. So things have changed much in today's India, particularly in Delhi where I teach. And I keep asking my students that, what is your attitude now on these dimensions and other dimensions? And a lot have changed actually since 2005 as well. In my knowledge, there was none. So probably my study was the first of its kind. And subsequently, I have observed many more
00:02:06 - I just interviewed, some, 14 people from, USA Canada, and some European countries, Germany, Spain, and all that. So it was just based on interview, and I had a questionnaire in my hand. But, I also allowed my subjects to speak freely, freely beyond, what is, asked in questions. So usually ask them in the groups so that everyone should, everyone should be able to participate and correct any, shortcoming informed by one participant. But mainly questions were asked to one subject at one time,
00:02:50 - So this was the method at that time in 2005, for an Indian mine, it was startling to know that virginity is not an Issue at all for western mind, which is a big, which, which, which was a big issue at that time. I mean, a boy getting married to a girl, and if it comes to know she's not virgin, he is going to divorce her. It was very evident at that time. So this was a startling result in virginity attitude. In along that dimension, then, regarding double standards, I came to know that, things are a little better than India, but not very different. boys try to stop
00:03:34 - who are prospective romantic partners that is there as well, but they don't stop so vehemently as it is done in India by the brothers regarding their sisters. So, double standards were, little dian, but not very deviant from that of standard Indian attitude. Aga then farther other two dimensions, like, this expression of sexuality and indulgence, that was also significantly different because, in India at that time, romantic affairs were confined to, they were much, much lesser

"Shifting Paradigms: Exploring Sexual Freedom and Cultural Attitudes in India and the West"

00:04:14 - So, girls are not permitted to Rome freely after, dusk. Whereas in European countries, they move freely and they're, they are much lesser instances of eve teasing or other, crimes against women. so in India, these are big problem e teasing and, all these things. So, freedom of expression, of sexualities. Also, it was much, liberal, I would say in the Western world, as compared to in the Indian counterpart. Then fidelity expectation is still
00:04:55 - Once, a boy and girl, they are in a romantic relation, committed relationship. Then they do expect to remain faithful to each other and not to have a fear elsewhere. So that thing was, just similar to what we see in India. there's media exposure, there's lot of internet, and we see movies so fast. So that's the evolution of society or culture is a natural process. So along in in that vein, now, Indian youth, they are much more liberal. one of my research students, she is working, she is, researching in the area of marriage and, also alternative, find alternative kinds
00:05:40 - So these things are though lesser, but they have come, they have come up in practice in India, particularly in metro cities like Delhi or Bombay, Bangore. So these are new practices. People are becoming much more liberal and Exploring alternative ways of marriage and, sexual relationships. These developments are in the metro cities in like Delhi or Bombay. But in the small towns, still largely it is, same old idea. So there are some changes, like now parents are,
00:06:21 - boyfriend girlfriend kind of relationship. They're tolerant nowadays, but not in villages. In villages still honor killings happen. If girl marries a boy of other cast, then parents get offended and they, they may go far even killing of the girl, though they're also being practiced simultaneously in the villages. But in towns, even in small towns, parents are now much more liberal. They accept a romantic relationship before marriage. The kind of sexual practices which are coming up in India and the whole all over the globe, that is connected with one, central issue of human happiness and,
00:07:31 - So if we are becoming more liberal in our sexual practices, is it increasing happiness and love and intimacy between the couples, between people, or it is diluting that love and ness? That's a big question. So future implication of this study would be exploring in this direction that what is the result? What are the implications? Are, is openness in sexuality leading us to better intimacy and love, or it is leading to dilution of love and intimacy.

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Comparing Sex-attitude of Westerners with Respect to the Contemporary Traditional Indian Sex-attitude

Media Literacy Toolkit

Critical Questions to Consider ▼

Bias and Perspective Awareness ▼

Further Reading ▼