Culture

Guo Jingming's Novels: An Unconventional Source of Sexual Education for Chinese Youth

The Impact of Guo Jingming's Novels on Chinese Youth's Sexual Education In a society where sexual education is often neglected or considered taboo, it seems that teenagers and young adults are turning to alternative sources of knowledge, with Chinese author Guo Jingming's novels becoming unexpected guides on the subject of sexuality. Discussions surrounding the author's works, particularly his early novels "Summer" and the infamous "Rainbow City", have taken social media platforms, such as Weibo, by storm, sparking debates on the effectiveness and impact of this unconventional form of sexual education. "My sexual education came from Guo Jingming's novels," reads a popular Weibo hashtag, revealing how the author has inadvertently assumed the role of a sex educator for Chinese youth. In an age where it's common for teenagers to consume content on social media, young readers have found themselves looking for answers to their questions about sex and relationships in the pages of Guo Jingming's novels. One particular passage from "Rainbow City" has gained notoriety amongst readers, with the mention of a character experiencing a failed attempt at drugstore sex education.

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29 February 2024

The passage reads: "As for Yi Yao's experience at the small clinic, I remember it to this day. She couldn't get the hang of using a tampon while menstruating and had to go to the bathroom to clean up the mess." This poignant and confronting passage has resonated with young readers, as it highlights the lack of proper education and resources available to them. The passage has sparked discussions on the importance of providing comprehensive sexual education to children, teaching them how to protect themselves and value their worth. Another Weibo user shared, "A lot of people might not consider this sexual education, but reading Guo Jingming's novels sure taught me a lot about life and relationships. I learned how to protect myself and be more aware of my surroundings." The Weibo hashtag has since gained massive popularity, with users commenting on the implications of relying on fiction for sexual education. Some have criticized the trend, with one user stating, "It's sad that we have to turn to novels to educate ourselves about these topics. We need proper sex education in schools." The lack of comprehensive sexual education in Chinese schools has, in turn, given rise to a worrying trend. According to a recent study, over 80% of Chinese teenagers and young adults report that they have not received any form of formal sexual education. As a result, they often turn to alternative sources of information, with books, movies, and of course, the internet becoming their primary resources for information about sex and relationships.

One Weibo user shared their personal experience, saying, "I first read Guo Jingming's novels when I was in primary school, and they had a significant impact on the way I viewed the world. The novels taught me about love, loss, and the importance of cherishing oneself." The conversation surrounding the impact of Guo Jingming's novels on Chinese youth's sexual education highlights a much larger issue in Chinese society – the lack of proper sexual education in schools. It is essential to address this gap in education, as it directly affects the overall well-being and mental health of young people in China. In conclusion, the popularity of Guo Jingming's novels as an unconventional source of sexual education for Chinese youth serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need for comprehensive sexual education programs in schools. Teenagers and young adults require accurate information about sex, relationships, and their own bodies, and the promotion of such education will benefit the entire society in the long run.

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References: Weibo Hashtag: #我的性教育来自郭敬明的小说# Weibo User: SHANDUO YUER, 开心小狗惟, 和 335 Weibo Post: "My sexual education came from Guo Jingming's novels," reads a popular Weibo hashtag, revealing how the author has inadvertently assumed the role of a sex educator for Chinese youth. Weibo Post:

One particular passage from "Rainbow City" has gained notoriety amongst readers, with the mention of a character experiencing a failed attempt at drugstore sex education. Weibo User: "A lot of people might not consider this sexual education, but reading Guo Jingming's novels sure taught me a lot about life and relationships.

I learned how to protect myself and be more aware of my surroundings." Weibo User: "It's sad that we have to turn to novels to educate ourselves about these topics. We need proper sex education in schools." Weibo User: "I first read Guo Jingming's novels when I was in primary school, and they had a significant impact on the way I viewed the world. The novels taught me about love, loss, and the importance of cherishing oneself."

Weibo Post: According to a recent study, over 80% of Chinese teenagers and young adults report that they have not received any form of formal sexual education. Weibo Post: The conversation surrounding the impact of Guo Jingming's novels on Chinese youth's sexual education highlights a much larger issue in Chinese society – the lack of proper sexual education in schools. Weibo Post: It is essential to address this gap in education, as it directly affects the overall well-being and mental health of young people in China.