Forum held on Asian sexuality

Students got together on Tuesday night at Hill House library to discuss Asians' outlook on sexuality. "Notions of an Asian's Sexuality" workshop was organized by Students for Asian Affairs which have held group meetings for Asian awareness every two weeks since January 1991. "The discussion groups help to clarify thinking and deal with different points of view," Peter Szto, a counselor from University Counseling Office and leader of the discussion group said. "There is such a range of Asian-American experience that it is a good learning practice to talk and hear about these issues." The discussion was held informally among a group of nine students who interjected opinions throughout the meeting. The issues discussed ranged from parental advice on sex education to racial preferences in relationships. Szto said that although Asians are traditionally more private than other racial groups and that they discuss sexual practices less often, the parental advice on this matter is valuable. "We are affected by our parents, whether they are comfortable or not in communicating with us about sexual knowledge," he said. "Then, we take that experience from our parents that will in turn influence how we react to sexual experience in a relationship." The group also covered discussion on racial preferences in relationships. Most of the participants were Asian-American women, who said they preferred white men as their partners. "Because Asian men are traditionally chauvanistic and sexist, I prefer caucasian men," said College sophomore Gee Byun. "It is also because as a second generation Asian American, I see things in an American context and I am more attracted to people that I see more often." The group also agreed that many caucasian men are attracted by Asian women. "Among white males, there is a strong attraction to some Asian women because Asian women to them are exotic and submissive," said College sophomore Jane Sung. "It is almost viewed as an Asian fetish by them." The workshop touched on Asian stereotypes as well. Members said that although Asians are viewed as quiet and submissive, the image is changing because many of them are Americanized. Group members expressed their reluctance to being stereotyped. "I don't want to be identified with the others and be stereotyped," Byun said. "I try to stay out of KCS [Korean Cultural Society]." Another member said that she did not find herself being stereotyped. "I am Asian, but it's not really something that I realize until I look in the mirror," College sophomore Joy Park said. "These kinds of awareness raising activities are good ways for people to break down stereotypes." As counselor at the University Counseling Office, Szto said that he would like to see more students attending the workshops. "There are conflicts and values that need to be compromised and that we all deal with," he said. "We are reaching out to Asian communities and providing a place for them to discuss the issues that are being experienced."

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