Extramarital affairs and psychological problems are the biggest
concerns of urban women in south China's Guangdong Province, according to the results
of a recent survey.
The survey, by the Guangdong Provincial Women's Federation’s
Psychology Consultation Office, measured women's psychological
development by correlating the results of 2,661 consultation cases
from 1995 to 2005.
"A great majority of women who come here for consultation said
their families were plagued by extramarital affairs," said Shi
Mengjuan, a doctor at the office.
According to the survey, over 52 percent of women consulting
Shi's office had dealt with extramarital affairs by their
spouses.
Since its founding 12 years ago, over 3,000 women have sought
out psychological consultations at the center.
Shi said the number of extramarital cases involving illicit
sexual activity, love triangles, bigamy and cohabitation has been
rising over the last decade.
"Extramarital affairs are more common because Chinese couples
have been influenced by the Western concept of sexual liberation
and freedom outside the sphere of traditional ethical codes," Shi
said.
In addition, Shi said men today interact with a greater number
of people through work and other social situations, enabling them
to meet more women.
"It has helped increase the amount of extramarital sex," Shi
said. "But most women feel deeply hurt by extramarital affairs. So
they seek help from us."
Ranking after extramarital affairs, psychological problems
caused by a heavy workload and household pressures associated with
raising children also concern urban women, Shi said.
According to the survey by Shi's office, more than 10 percent of
the women who came in for consultations were there for
psychological problems, with most aged between 25 and 40.
"This special group of women, most of whom work for IT and
governmental institutions, are generally better educated. In turn,
they feel great pressure from work and family," Shi said.
However, some sociologists regard the situation as evidence of
"a breakthrough" in the traditional relationship between men and
women.
"Women, especially educated women, are pursuing more
psychological contentment either at work or within the family since
they want to be equal to men," said Zheng Zhizheng, director of the
Sociology and Demography Research Centre of the Guangdong
Provincial Academy of Social Sciences. "Unfortunately, they feel
depressed because they suffer from too great a workload and
pressure within the family," Zheng said.
For example, women find it hard to balance children and a career
after getting married, Zheng said.
Zheng also urged women who thought they might be suffering from
psychological problems to seek treatment.
"Women should ask for medical and psychological assistance to
help them handle psychological problems," Zheng said.
(China Daily January 22, 2007)