Explore Sexual Scripts in Sex Comics Distributed in China: A Content Analysis

Proceedings of The 3rd International Conference on Gender Studies and Sexuality

Year: 2023

DOI: https://www.doi.org/10.33422/3rd.icgss.2023.03.101

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Explore Sexual Scripts in Sex Comics Distributed in China: A Content Analysis

Wei Song

ABSTRACT: 

Previous content analyses on pornography primarily focused on materials consumed in Western societies (i.e., North America and Europe). Yet, little research has been conducted on pornographic materials in non-Western cultures. The present study aims to explore sexual scripts in sex comics disseminated in China. 40 comics were selected from the top rank list of one popular sexual comics app and was analyzed based on three indexes: sexual objectification (indicated by close-ups, ejaculations, gaping, and stripping), sexual agency (indicated by self-touch and initiation of sex), and violence (e.g., physical violence, verbal violence, and coercive sex). Significant gender differences emerged on these measures, with female characters more frequently being treated as sex objects and victims of aggression and less likely to initiate sex. In addition, although physical and verbal violence was not uncommon, the majority of the scenes portrayed coerced sex. The findings suggest that Chinese mainstream sex comics represents a “softer” male-dominated culture compared with Western societies.

keywords: pornography, scripting theory, sexual objectification, sexual agency, sexual violence