Understanding Globalization through Cultural Paradoxes: Chinese youth and "2 Broke Girls".

This paper examines a hidden phenomenon presented by globalization, by investigating the paradox that seemingly arises from the popularity of an American television show in China. In spite of the show's open sexual innuendo, it is highly popular in China, with its famously asexual media content. What is the cultural effect, or paradox, in this instance, where a show that attracted public opprobrium for its sexual content in its sexually liberated country of origin (America), but becomes highly popular in a country known for its conservative public sexual morality? This paper examines this question by using the results of a qualitative focus group inquiry conducted among 31 Chinese college students (4 males and 27 females), aged 18-23. The findings indicate that participants loved the way the show portrays the dynamics of several levels of friendship, and found it instructive regarding the behavior between people of different cultural and socio-economic groups. Chinese participants found the sexual innuendo to be funny and somewhat daring, and liked the show for its liberal take on sex without the graphic portrayal of the act. The show's portrayal of relationships and friendship seems to be in line with Chinese philosophy, which emphasizes relationships. The presentation of sex in the show also appears to be in line with the asexual portrayal of love relationships in China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]