Filial piety and public attitudes towards same-sex sexual behaviour in China—evidence from the Chinese general social survey

Abstract

Using data from the 2017 Chinese General Social Survey, this study is one of the first to directly compare the effect of reciprocal versus authoritarian filial piety on the Chinese public attitudes towards same-sex sexual behaviour using a nationally representative sample. Consistent with previous research, the findings from this study reveal that endorsing reciprocal and authoritarian filial piety exert qualitatively different influences on public attitudes towards same-sex sexual behaviour. While reciprocal filial piety was not linked to disapproval of same-sex sexual behaviour in the current study, authoritarian filial piety was found to significantly predict a disproving attitude. This effect remained statistically significant even after controlling for other demographic and social-psychological variables commonly identified to predict homophobia. Findings from this study further our knowledge of the critical yet nuanced role of filial piety in shaping public attitudes towards same-sex sexual behaviour in China. In terms of implications for policy and practice, organised efforts should aim to steer public interpretations of filial piety away from its authoritarian dimension through education, advocacy and activism.