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1444 points feross | 1 comments | | HN request time: 0.202s | source
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wizofaus ◴[] No.32642548[source]
Is aversion to discussion of sex a part of traditional Chinese culture? Seems odd given I'm not aware of any puritanical religions taking hold there.
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alldayeveryday ◴[] No.32642602[source]
Why would a culture require a puritanical religions to have an aversion to discussion of sex? And do you consider an aversion to discussion of sex to be default lacking or present in a population?
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wizofaus ◴[] No.32642891[source]
Because why else would such an aversion arise? I don't think there are any sensible "defaults" for human cultures. But I wouldn't expect aversion to talking any sex to arise spontaneously among a population that hadn't had it imposed by prior generations or from outside. We're naturally curious beings and have lots of sex (compared to other species).
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alldayeveryday ◴[] No.32643054[source]
> Because why else would such an aversion arise?

> I don't think there are any sensible "defaults" for human cultures.

But, you seem to think a lack of aversion to talking about sex to be a default? To your question, I've known many people whom are not practicing any religion and yet have an aversion to sexual discussion, within a population that has a lack thereof. There are many such topics that some feel are not keeping with decorum to be discussed openly and widely - and without religion being involved. Let's say in China there is a general aversion to sexual discussion. What will be your explanation given lack of puritanical religion?

> But I wouldn't expect aversion to talking any sex to arise spontaneously among a population

I don't see spontaneity to be relevant here.

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wizofaus ◴[] No.32643176[source]
> Let's say in China there is a general aversion to sexual discussion. What will be your explanation given lack of puritanical religion?

I genuinely don't know, that's why I asked. Presumably it's served some sort of purpose at some point. Or maybe, as another poster suggested, it was an trait borrowed from other cultures where puritanical religion did have an influence.

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1. afiori ◴[] No.32644969[source]
According to fan-made English translations of Chinese manhua targeted to teenage boys avoiding sexual activities is seen very similar to avoiding use of drugs, gambling, and/or alcohol.

My guess is that it is a result of valuing austerity and stoicism and resisting temptations, which I suspect are quite important in confucianism.