Risky Sexual Behaviors of Male Bachelors in the Context of the Male “marriage-squeeze”: An exploratory survey in urban Xi’an, China

Due to the growing shortage of women on the marriage market in China, male bachelorhood is becoming a new demographic concern. Although marriage remains in most cases the only socially acceptable setting for sexuality, the female shortage implies that marriage-squeezed male bachelors can only meet their sexual needs through means other than heterosexual marriage. Little information is currently available on the situation of these marriage-squeezed males in China, but some recent studies indicate, for instance, that there is a higher occurrence of masturbation and use of prostitution among them. In parallel, it has been stated that unsafe sexual behaviours, including commercial sex and unprotected sex, increase the risk of transmission of HIV and STIs. Therefore, such unsafe behaviours may have substantial implications for prevention of HIV and STIs in this population. This paper investigates the sexual behaviours of male migrant bachelors in Xi’an and focuses on the risk they face in their sexual intercourses during their migration experience. Their general situation and specific characteristics are described, as well as the influence factors behind these risky sexual behaviours.