A new survey has demolished a pet theory about modern Indian women. The theory postulates that educated, well-off women are sexually bolder and more assertive than ever before owing to a new economic independence that allows them to seek sexual pleasure without being afraid of what society may say.
But the belief is false, according to the findings of a survey conducted for India Today magazine of 2,300 middle and upper-middle class women in 10 cities. It found that Indian women are conservative and cautious - some even refused to answer the questionnaire because it was too explicit.
Stories about premarital sex being rife in the cities are debunked by 85 per cent of women, who said they first had sex after marriage. Reports of modern, uninhibited women wanting to experiment sexually are much exaggerated. Seventy-five per cent said they had never masturbated, 75 per cent said their favourite place for making love was at night in the bedroom and 53 per cent cited the missionary position as their favourite.
Only 20 per cent said they would make the first move if they wanted sex, even with their husbands. Forty per cent said they would suggest it indirectly.
This shyness about making the first move is rooted in Indian tradition. Women's sexual behaviour is governed by ancient social attitudes which dictate that a 'virtuous' woman should have no interest in sex, submitting to it grudgingly only to fulfil her conjugal duties, and demonstrate no enjoyment whatsoever during the act.
Only 5 per cent of the women surveyed said they had had sex with their husband-to-be before marriage.