Construction, Deconstruction and Reconstruction of Sexuality Through Instant Messenger: Perspective on Bangladeshi Male Internet Users

Due to rapid urbanization and technological advancement Bangladesh is experiencing an increase in internet users. Influence of internet on sexuality is well recognized but research on its impact on sexuality in Bangladesh is still in its infancy. Where ‘Sex’ is viewed as a taboo topic, internet, for its anonymity and confidential nature offers a convenient space to people.

The objective of the study was to understand how internet affects ideas and practice of sexuality among Bangladeshi male internet users.

Data were collected from 341 Bangladeshi messenger users of Yahoo chat rooms through a self administered structured questionnaire. Data were analyzed by using SPSS program ensuring privacy and secrecy.

Internet was used regularly for chatting (68.9%) and social networking (66.8%). 68.3% visited websites with adult contents at least once a day. 37.8% of them were regularly involved in erotic chatting which sometimes results in masturbation to orgasm (11.4%). Respondents fantasized having sex with multiple partners (60.4%) and sex in different positions (65.1%). Pre-marital sex was also viewed okay (72.4%). 80.6% mentioned having experience of vaginal intercourse followed by experience of having oral sex (74.2%) and anal sex (29.9%). 55.7% respondents thought that women love big size penis. Mean age of first sexual experience was 20 years. Masturbation (45.3%) and watching or reading pornography (13.6%) was mentioned as frequent practice of single males. On an average each respondents had sex with 1.8 women in the last six months.

Findings show cybersex is a reality and internet is being used as a medium for expressing sexual identities, desires and practices which might affect people’s lives. Expanding sex education and related interventions can be suggested in light of these findings to include issues that are important to people in terms of sexuality rather than simply focusing on reproductive health to mitigate probable risk.