Abstract:  From a gender perspective, using the data of sexual behavior and reproduction health in Shanghai in 2007-2008，this paper first finds out regarding multiple sex partners behavior, there are obvious differences across gender in terms of the characteristics of the sex partners, the process of finding sex partners and the situation of unprotected sex and prostitution. We then construct a theoretical model to explain the gendered differences and use the empirical data to test the model. Our Logistic regression finds out that apart from gender, four factors, including social standing (household registration status, income, education and occupation), family life (marriage, reproduction, time of living together and relative relationships), previous sex life (age of firsttime sexual intercourse, being engaged in premarital cohabitation or not, conjugal trust) and perceived gender norms, mainly contribute to one’s multiple sex partner behavior. This model therefore challenges the “physical needs” theory and offers more interesting findings, for example, one’s “capital operation” and situation enacting bigger influences than one’s social standing; and marital affection encounters a low after both twoyear and sevenyear of marriage; sexual transgressions are continuous; and gender norms affect one’s multiple sex partner behavior through their shaping effects within family and the society. In the end, we suggest that more attention should be paid to three related areas: firstly, sex satisfaction of migrant workers in urban China; secondly, the construction of a new partner or family relationship; and finally, the promotion of knowledge regarding sex and sexual safety. We also call for a reflection upon whether the sex revolution for women a real revolution or a new oppression.

Key words: sexual behavior , gender perspectives , multiple sex partners