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Cry tor more sex education as sex shops become popular

The Young Reporter (1994, November 21), 27(02), pp. 3.
Permanent URL - https://sys01.lib.hkbu.edu.hk/bujspa/purl.php?&did=bujspa0007253

The lack of sex education in Hongkong makes people worry that the popularization of sex shops may bring negative effects to youngsters. Carol Li and Michelle Cheung have the story.

MR Chan started his business in Prince Edward three years ago. It is a gift shop which sells neither funny birthday card nor valuable necklace. It is actually a sex shop which sells sexual aids and adult toys.

His goods are mainly imported from Europe and Japan. Most of them are woman’s sexy underwear, nice decorations, artworks, sexual aids and adult toys.

Mr Chan said sex shop was actually not a new idea. It was started "about 20 years ago. It is quite a popular business in countries like Japan and US.

“Hongkong is an international city. Its culture is influenced by western ideas. People are no longer as conservative as the older generations.

“Instead, people become open- minded and try to accept new ideas that have never been in the Chinese society.

“What they need now are excitement and innovation. Thus, sexual aids and adult toys provide a way to a more spicy sex life to fulfil their needs,” Mr Chan added.

Ms Law, who has been to one of the sex shops said she does not agree sex shops should be operated in the public in Hongkong.

“I went shopping with my husband and children once at a big plaza in Tsim Sha Tsui.

“Suddenly I saw some sexual aids and adult toys displayed in the window. Then I asked my husband to leave the plaza immediately as we did not want our children see this awful merchandise.

“We also afraid if they ask us embarrassing questions about sex which I did not know how to answer,” Ms Law said.

“I worry how much negative effect of the existence of sex shop to youngsters if they are opened everywhere,” said Dr Ma Hing-kung, Department Head of Education Studies in Hong Kong Baptist College.

He said there is a lack of sex education in Hongkong. Youngsters without proper knowledge of sex may be misled by pornography.

“When youngsters come across these sex aids, they will create sex fantasies. Some of them are curious and try to use these sex aids.

“Since youngsters are in their puberty; they are impulsive and they may not behave properly.”

Mr Chan said sexual aids business is a sensitive business especially in a Chinese society like Hongkong. Its existence must rise opposing voice.

He knows there may be some negative effects to youngsters. So he has his own code of practice to avoid any side effect to youngsters.

He does not allow people under 18 or wearing school uniform to visit his shop. “It is only a business deal with adults,” he added.

According to Mr Ng Hon-wah, the Television and Entertainment Licensing Authority Assistant Commissioner, sex shops are supervised by the Obscene and Indecent Articles Ordinance.

“Audio and visual articles such as books, video tapes, laser discs, or information telephones, can be sent to the Obscene Articles Tribunal for classification,” Mr Ng said.

Articles are classified into three categories. They are: Not Indecent and Not Obscene; Indecent; and Obscene Articles.

According to Mr Ho, the Obscene Articles Tribunal Officer Incharge, articles that involve obscenity, sexual desire, group sexual intercourse, violence which make people uncomfortable or obnoxious after reading them, will be classified as Obscene Articles.

Mr Ng said indecent articles can not be displayed without warning stickers and sell to people under 18. Articles which fall into the Obscene categories are prohibited.

Dr Ng Man-lun, the President of Asian Federation of Sexology and Queen Mary Hospital Chief of Service in Psychiatry said Hongkong people dare not to talk about sex and open sex shop.

“Chinese are just conservative. They reject all things related to sex,” Dr Ng said.

According to Dr Ng, some people think sex life is very important.

“Normal couples may need gadgets to have a more spicy sex life and maintain marital happiness.”

He added patients who suffered from sexual problems or gender role confusion need sexual aids to cure their psychiatric problems, as well as those physically disabled.

Sex shops provide outlet for them to have normal sex life.

Michael Wong, who has been to a sex shop in Hongkong said sex is a basic instinct of human being. Many people misunderstand what sex is and link it with promiscuity. Therefore, they reject sex shop.

“In fact, people who do not accept sex shop only because they are conservative and have incorrect sexual knowledge.

“Young people during puberty may have sexual needs but do not have proper outlet to exert their extra energy.

“Sex shop is such a new idea that they would turn to these sex shops,” said Michael.

“Thus, we should not blame sex shop for negative effects to youngsters, but the insufficiency of sex education in Honkong,” he added.

A survey conduced by the Hong Kong Family Planning Association called ‘Knowledge, Attitude and Practice Planning’ found that parents and teachers hope the government will provide more sex education to the new generation.

Mr David Cheng Chung, a sex educator of the Hong Kong Family Planning Association said sex education aimed at giving young people a positive attitude towards sex.

“By assertive training, youngsters can learn the technique of communication with opposite sex.

“They are also provided with information about contraception, pregnancy and menstruation.”

Mr Cheng said they had received enquiries from teachers both primary and secondary for more teaching materials to be provided.

Since there is not enough sex knowledge to the young generation, sex aids business is still a controversial.

Mr Daniel Wong Kwok-tung, the Urban Councillor and antipornography campaigner said a sex shop had its value in Honkong.

“We can’t prohibit the operation of a sex shop because of its side effect to adolescent. The problem is rooted on how they are supervised. If sex shop owner does not breach the law, we can’t discriminate it from other business,” he said.

Mr Wong suggests shopkeepers of sex shop must make sure that customers are not under 18 by asking them to show ID cards. If they violated the law, they will be prosecuted.

He also suggests that the government to restrict sex shops in certain areas so that they can be supervised effectively. Such policy has been taken by foreign countries like US.

The Chairman of the Cultural and Education Association of the New Towns and Acting Principal of STFA Lee Shau Kee College, Mr Wong Kwan-yu suggested sex shops be run only under strict supervision.

He said sex shops should not carry out too many promotions and advertisements as it is a controversial business in Hongkong.

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