No Sex Please, We are Indian!

that might be a strange thing to say about the world's second most populous country, no sex please, we are indians. but look at what the survey said. this is the recent survey done in 28 countries of the world by (who else?) a condom manufacturing company. durex hired professional research bodies to talk to 18,500 people in places like the usa, uk, china, france, thailand and japan.in india 500 people were interviewed in the four metros. (the age group sur veyed was 16 -55 years). the united states turned out to be a superpower in the bedroom too. it had led the word in how often people had sex (averaging 124 times per year, far, far higher than the world average of 97). americans had more sexual partners than anyone else (at 14.3, higher even than the amorous french who had 13 partners). they also started earlier than anyone else (at an average age of 16), and were the least likely to have just one partner (only 11 per cent admitted to such fidelity). in contrasts, indians had sex 76 times a year, well below the world average. they had fewer sexual partners (3), started later (at the average age of 20 years) and were more likely to be faithful to one partner (a staggering 77 per cent did not stray). at first glance, this may suggest a rather nice and cosy picture of us as a people; we have a proper childhood unsullied by sexual thoughts; we start getting physical way past puberty and adolescence; and, most importantly, we don't fool around. it may not be kama sutra, but there's much to be said for a steady life. if only that were the complete picture! it isn't. read the report further, and you find that these figures hide a repressed sexuality, some of which is likely to explode in unhealthy ways. because the report not only tells you some things we knew but also tells us of some things we didn't even suspect. read this: indians are the last to receive sex education (at 16.1years as against the global average of 13.9 years). even here, while 20 percent globally learn it at school where it's taught in a scientific and correct way, here only 5 per cent even want it taught at school. more than a quarter prefer to ask either doctors or nurses (who usually do not have the time), while another quarter rely on their friends (who are often as ignorant as they are, but are better liars and so become 'experts'). and worse, 40 per cent of the population has no education on the subject at all. no surprise, then, that only three per cent of indians — and the survey is talking of our four liberated metros — think of sex as their favourite way of spending time. just imagine: only three per cent really enjoy sex. in the west, on the other hand that figure becomes 30 per cent. no wonder that most indians would much rather go to work (an amazing 30 per cent), socialise with friends (21 per cent) or watch television (14 per cent), than have sex. if our population growth seems at variance with these statistics, the reason is obvious: the simple truth is that very few indians use birth control measures (only 17 per cent, for example, use condoms. a big blow to durex). the implications of this total picture are dangerous and sad at the same time. they are dangerous because the combination of poor sex education and poor safe-sex practices show why india will have more and more aids — affected people in the coming years. given our other sociological factors such as men without women migrating from rural areas to cities for work, they clearly tell you that today's scenario is bad, tomorrow's will be truly horrific. the message to the government loud and clear: start sex education now. or perish. the implication of the findings are sad on human level. the general ignorance about sex and the lack of pleasure in it, as a natural consequence, within a society which prefers not to talk about it, means that most sexual encounters are nasty, brutish and short. since they are unprotected, they result in procreation, but that is about all. sex, especially for most women, must be something to be got over with, quickly and dutifully. at least for men, there would be release. for women, not even that. for both there would be no fulfilment.