To gain a deeper understanding of our youth's attitudes toward love and sex, Sinorama, ET Today, and the Bureau of Health Promotion, Department of Health, spent one month conducting an Internet survey on "The e-Generation's Attitudes on Love and Sex."

The survey was carried out from August 21st, 2002 to September 20th, 2002. On-the-spot interviews of young people, parents, and experts were conducted concurrently, with users of ET Today volunteering to fill out the questionnaires. The survey focused on behavior and attitudes relating to such topics as making friends on the Internet, "one-night stands," condom usage, pregnancy, group sex, and so on.

This Internet survey discovered that surprisingly, among e-Generation respondents, the 18-30 year olds rather than the adolescents as generally expected were the ones willing to provide their real names. Such a situation is an accurate reflection of society's changing attitude toward sex.

This survey had an effective sample of 1673, of whom 70.35% were male and 29.75% female. 31.67% of the respondents were married, 66.35% were unmarried and 1.97% were divorced. In terms of age, 4.9% were under 18, 66.58% were in the age range 18-30, and 28.52% were over 30; and in terms of sexuality, 98.25% were heterosexual and 2.09% homosexual. 87.13% were sexually experienced. Thus it appears that the bulk of the sample comprised sexually experienced Internet users over the age of 18.

Since respondents filled out the questionnaire voluntarily, their self-selection calls into question the credibility and validity of the statistics, but the figures are still of qualitative interest. This is especially true for Internet users' responses to questions on condom usage and making friends on the Internet, which may be cause for concern.

(No) 66.67% (Yes) 33.33%

Cold reality vs. the Internet

The section of the survey on online friends yielded the following results: 71.52% of respondents had made friends online, and 28.48% had not; 70.79% agreed that it was easier to make friends online than in person, while 29.21% did not agree; 75.64% of those who had made friends online had met at least one in person, while 24.36% had not met their online friends in person. The locations where online friends were first contacted were, in order: chat rooms, 38.56%; BBS, 18.77%; ICQ and OICQ, 8.73%; online classifieds, 7.02%; and other locations 26.92%. Of those respondents who had made friends online, 27.75% had had sex with an online friend, while 72.25% had not.

According to an analysis by educator Edwin Yen, who is well known for his work in AIDS prevention, the physical distance between people is getting ever closer, yet the psychological distance is still great. The Internet offers anonymity, which is in large part responsible for the boom in Internet friendships.

In addition, the Internet is highly successful at bringing together people who are seeking certain body types, outlook, orientation, or other special requirements, which is a key motive for the popularity of making friends on the Internet.

(No) 28.40% (Yes) 71.52%

A high rate of one-night stands

In the section on behavior and attitudes regarding one-night stands, 46.85% of respondents approved of one-night stands, 38.88% disapproved, and 14.27% expressed no opinion. Apparently, then, close to half of the respondents have positive attitudes toward one-night-stands.

In terms of actual experience, 34.89% of respondents had had a one-night stand, and 65.11% had not. Of those who had had one-night stands, 60.17% used condoms, 31.47% did not use condoms, and 13.56% occasionally used condoms.

The results of the survey show a surprisingly large proportion of respondents stating that they have experienced a one-night stand. However, professor Edwin Yen notes that the reason close to 35% have had one-night stands is because a large proportion of the respondents are over 18, male, and have had sexual experiences. Compared with Europe or the United States, where the proportion of people having experienced one-night-stands is over half the population, the local numbers are still relatively low. The survey suggests that behavior in Taiwan society is gradually becoming more liberal, yet the way most people view sex is still constrained by traditional conservative attitudes.

(Yes) 31.97%

No glove, no love?

It is worth noting that only 60% of those experiencing one-night stands used condoms, 31.47% did not use condoms, and 13.56% occasionally used condoms. It appears that condom use for one-night-stands is still low.

When these numbers are broken down by age, 29.20% of under-18s claimed to have had one-night stands, while 70.80% had not; 45.83% of those who had had one-night stands had used condoms, 37.50% had not, and 1.67% had occasionally used them. In the 18-30 age bracket, 31.86% had had one-night stands, and 68.14% had not; of the former, 52.11% had used condoms, 32.95% had not, and 14.92% occasionally used them. Among the over-30s, 41.09% had had one-night stands, while 58.91% had not; of those who had, 61.22% had used condoms, 28.06% had not used condoms, and 10.71%, had occasionally used them.

Among respondents with experience of one-night stands, the likelihood of condom use increases with age. Spencer Tsai, chief editorialist of the United Evening News, explains that the majority of respondents are males, and the survey shows their bad condom practices. In general, Taiwan males do not like to wear condoms-a situation that has not changed over the decades. He suggests that females should now take the responsibility for their own safety.

Edwin Yen also believes that the Western concept of "no glove, no love" should be widely promoted in Taiwan. Even rape victims should request their rapists to wear condoms, to reduce possible harm.

(Yes) 27.75% (No) 72.25%

Pregnancy decisions

With regard to pregnancy, 33.33% of sexually experienced respondents had become pregnant or caused a pregnancy out of marriage, while 66.67%, had not. In terms of attitudes on managing a pregnancy out of marriage, 30.67% would decide individually whether to get an abortion; 16.91% would decide after discussion with family and friends; 13.54% would get married; 9.33% didn't know; and 29.55% selected "other." The proportion of respondents who answered "don't know" was nearly 10%, which perhaps suggests that quite a number of people might not face up to the situation and would likely postpone a decision.

The survey showed the following results for behavior relating to Ecstasy: 14.33% of respondents had been to an Ecstasy bar, while 85.67% had not; 6.35% had taken Ecstasy, 92.92% had not, and 0.73% didn't know. With respect to group sex, 31.97% were willing to try it, 62.02% were not willing to try it, and 6.01% didn't know; 7.64% had tried group sex, 90.39% had not, and 1.97% responded "other."

Spencer Tsai suggests that sex websites on the Internet offer content that is often strange and unusual, so the click rate is often high. In terms of behavior, many people may be curious and attracted to group sex, however they are likely to hesitate to put their curiosity into action.

Is there a message that we can gain from this survey of e-Generation Internet sexual attitudes? How strong is the normative influence of society? It depends who you ask. Though it cannot be denied that in the virtual Internet world, there are no virtual guides, and there is no need for polite formalities. For attitudes and behavior on love and sex, the Internet may appear to be more real than reality. All of the survey results are basically a reflection of the views of society. The problem is whether we are willing to face the facts, and provide the moral and material support for the people who need it. This is especially true for youth who have yet to reach maturity. How can we make this forbidden fruit less bitter?

(Yes) 27.75% (No) 72.25%

(Yes) 31.97%

(Yes)60.17%

(Yes)60.17%