Skip to main content
Log in

Lesbianism in the Chinese of Hong Kong

  • Published:
Archives of Sexual Behavior Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Some historical and literary background regarding lesbianism in China is given. The demographic data, family background, and behavioral characteristics of 15 Chinese lesbians are described and compared with a matched group of married women. More lesbians were adopted, reported unhappy childhoods and hostile family atmospheres, had parents who preferred them to be boys, and attended sexually segregated schools. The subjects differ from their Western counterparts in having a closer relationship with their mothers and in the absence of oral sexual practice.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Subscribe and save

Springer+ Basic
$34.99 /Month
  • Get 10 units per month
  • Download Article/Chapter or eBook
  • 1 Unit = 1 Article or 1 Chapter
  • Cancel anytime
Subscribe now

Buy Now

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Bell, A. P., and Weinberg, M. S. (1977).Homosexualities: A Study of Diversity Among Men and Women. Mitchell Beazley, London.

    Google Scholar 

  • Chen, Tang Yuan. (1928).The Story of the Chinese Woman (Chung-kuo fu-nü Sheng-huo shih) (in Chinese). Commercial Press, Shanghai, p. 300.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gazetteer of Chinese Customs (Chung-hua ch'üan-kuo feng-ssu shih) (in Chinese). (1935). Tai Tat Press, Shanghai, pp. 33–35.

  • Humana, C., and Wang, W. (1971).The Yin Yang. Allan Wingate, London.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kenyon, F. E. (1968). Studies in female homosexuality.Brit. J. Psychiat. 114: 1337–1350.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kinsey, A. C., Pomeroy, W. B., Martin, C. E., and Gebhard, P. H. (1953).Sexual Behavior in the Human Female. Saunders, Philadelphia.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lieh-Mak, F., Luk, S. L., and Ng, S. (1981). Hong Kong married abortion applicants: A comparison with married women who elect to complete their pregnancies.J. Biosoc. Sci. 13: 71–80.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Rosen, D. M. (1974).A Study of Female Homosexuality. Charles C Thomas, Springfield, Illinois.

    Google Scholar 

  • Saghir, M. T., Robins, E., Walbran, B., and Gentry, K. A. (1970). Homosexuality. IV. Psychiatric disorders and disability in the female homosexuals.Amer. J. Psychiat. 127: 147–154.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Topley, M. (1975). Marriage resistance in Canton. In Walt, M., and Witke, R. (eds.),Women in Chinese Society Stanford University Press, Stanford, California, pp. 66–88.

    Google Scholar 

  • Van Gulik, R. H. (1961).Sexual Life in Ancient China. Britt, Leiden.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wolf, C. (1971).Love Between Women. Duckworth, London.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Lieh-Mak, F., O'Hoy, K.M. & Luk, S.L. Lesbianism in the Chinese of Hong Kong. Arch Sex Behav 12, 21–30 (1983). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01542113

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01542113

Key words

Navigation