Commercial Sex and Condom Use Among Involuntary Bachelors

Abstract

In the present context of the Chinese male marriage squeeze, commercial sex is becoming an important way for bachelors to meet their sexual needs. Using data from a survey conducted in a rural district of Anhui province, China, this study analyzes commercial sex experiences and condom use among involuntary bachelors and compares usage in this population to that observed in married men in the same age groups. Our findings indicate that, for both first and most recent sexual intercourse, the prevalence of commercial sex among unmarried men is significantly higher than that reported among married men; indeed, marital status was the only variable that was consistently related to rates of commercial sex for both first and most recent sexual intercourse. The vast majority of sexual intercourse was still unprotected, and the rate of condom use was not only lower among unmarried men than among married men, but was also significantly related to knowledge of sexually transmitted diseases, as well as age, education, and income. Because of their lower condom use, unmarried men face much higher risks of contracting and spreading sexually transmitted diseases than married men do. This situation poses a severe threat to public health.