Student leaders evaluated the prevalence of sexual discussion in Asian families at a forum in the Campus Women's Center Thursday.
The Asian American Student Union and the Campus Women's Center held the event to address sexual issues prevalent in American society.
Participants broke off into groups to discuss interracial relationships, sexuality in Asian households and LGBTQ issues in Asian communities.
According to discussion leaders, interracial relationships with Asians in America are skewed. They said Asian women are more likely to marry white men, but Asian men are less likely to marry white women, which may be a result of stereotypes of Asian women enforced throughout history.
Phill Lee, AASU member, said the stereotypes are evident in America and should be addressed, as well as other issues, even though they may be hurtful.
These are topics that run through my head, but we're so rehearsed in our denials,"" he said. ""Our rationalizations are so powerful and so subconscious.""
AASU members analyzed how sexuality is addressed in Asian households. Discussion participants said Asian households are conservative because parents do not want to discuss sexual issues with their children.
Four out of approximately 25 men, who were mostly white, raised their hands when asked if their parents ever spoke to them about sex. The same number said their parents had spoken to them about LGBTQ issues.
According to AASU member Duc Luu, this is one of the critical issues AASU, an organization with members from many ethnic groups, aims to discuss.
""We try to address the more critical issues and be socially active. We're a diverse group,"" he said.
Chanel Matsunami Govreau, CWC publications coordinator and AASU member, said the event was a great collaboration between two organizations she is passionate about.
Many UW-Madison community members stayed after the event finished to continue the discussion.
""People were really open about talking about the different issues, and I really was impressed with people's maturity and listening as well,"" Matsunami Govreau said.
