What is wrong with sex among young people
Recently, it has been increasingly discussed that young people are not having sex. Loud headlines fill Russian and foreign media, and this question is being researched by scientists. Particularly aimed at centennials — people born after 2000 (and according to some classifications — after 1996). For example, in the USA in 2017, only 39.5% of high school students had Trends in the Prevalence of Sexual Behaviors and HIV Testing National YRBS: 1991—2017 sexual experience. In 1991, among adolescents, more than half had such experience. In the early 90s, 18.7% of respondents had changed more than three partners, while in 2017 — 9.7%.
Statistics allow for very rough conclusions about the actual amount of sex because they are based on survey results.
Until there is a scientist with a candle in bedrooms, it is impossible to guarantee the accuracy of such data.
For instance, when researchers personally measured Am I normal? A systematic review and construction of nomograms for flaccid and erect penis length and circumference in up to 15 521 men penises of 15 thousand men, it turned out that the average length of an erect penis is 13.12 cm. While participants were doing it themselves Are condoms the right size? A method for self‑measurement of the erect penis , the average figure was 16 cm. The difference is quite significant. The same goes for sex: nothing prevents from exaggerating, especially among adult respondents who often link their own worth to the number of sexual contacts.
Another weak point in statistics is the ambiguity of what exactly to consider sex. Penile-vaginal intercourse is clear. But what about petting, sexting, and mutual masturbation? And is interaction with two partners one act or two?
And still, you can't take words out of a song: young people are having sex less The share of Americans not having sex has reached a record high . And it's not just them.
What is happening with sex among the rest
Society has focused its attention on centennials. But the concept of youth also includes millennials, who have the same dynamic. For example, a survey in Australia revealed ‘Quality over quantity’: Gen Z’s ‘sex recession’ looks more like an upturn that respondents have generally had less sex than 10 years ago. The number of sexual acts for heterosexual couples has decreased from 1.8 to 1.4 times per week.
A survey in the UK showed British people ‘having less sex’ than previously that almost a third of men and women aged 16 to 44 had not had sex in the past month. This is 25% more than in 2001. This trend is also characteristic for other European countries Finns having less sex, says study . So the youth is simply following the general trend.
What is happening in general
Sex is desacralized
Not long ago, the topic of sexual relations was shrouded in a veil of secrecy, and information had to be obtained. Data was gleaned from whispers in the yard, hidden under pillow porn magazines, and the lucky ones with a VCR could find a parental tape and get introduced to the adult world.
Sex was an initiation, a step toward maturity. Now it has lost both this function and its sacredness, and therefore its value has decreased.
Any information about sex can now be accessed with just a couple of clicks. People talk about it more freely, and no government agency can cope with the complete blocking of porn. As a result, a teenager who knows how to Google can know much more about sexual relations than their grandfather, who relied on personal experience. And since a person has studied the theory carefully, there's no need to focus on practice.
Sexual pleasure can be obtained in different ways
Communications are work. Is there any sense in putting in effort for sex if you can manage by yourself and get guaranteed results? Especially since masturbation has finally been freed from myths: hair on the hands does not grow from it, vision does not deteriorate, and the penis doesn’t fall off.
The amount of sex is no longer a measure of life success
Asexuality — the absence of sexual attraction — is now considered a norm Asexuality Is a Sexual Orientation, Not a Sexual Dysfunction . And the desire for contacts with different partners does not always lead to casual connections. Sometimes it results in polyamory, i.e., stable relationships between several people. Overall, there are many options for expressing sexuality and one can exist comfortably in their own. There is no need to prove one’s adulthood anymore or emphasize coolness with sexual acts. The pursuit of quantity is replaced by quality.
Young people take relationships more seriously
According to Millennial and Gen Z singles have enough casual sex. But they want love, survey says the dating site Match, young people are no longer looking for casual sex but are geared towards serious relationships. 70% of centennials and 63% of millennials admitted this. They perceive sexual contacts not as an end in themselves but as a piece of the puzzle that completes a romantic story. However, this does not prevent them from leading active lives: most respondents had sex in the past seven days.
Notably, among representatives of older generations, only 46% of respondents are looking for love.
It has become easier to refuse
Both men and women equally suffer from stereotypes. Previously, the first were expected to always want and be able. The second were never supposed to refuse sex, even if they didn’t want anything, otherwise it would ruin the relationship. But enlightenment and the implementation of the culture of consent is making a difference. People remember that sex is not torture but pleasure, therefore refusing unwanted encounters is becoming easier.
Childhood lasts longer
The number of children is decreasing, and the value of their life is increasing. Therefore, adults try to prolong the period of carefree living for children. According to some data Skvortsova: the period of childhood is expected to last until 25-30 years , in the middle of the 20th century, childhood ended at age 14, in the 60s — at 16, now — at 21. And this period continues to lengthen.
The increased duration of childhood and the state of the economy, which do not allow one to acquire their own housing, lead to young people leaving their parental home later. These are not the most comfortable conditions for casual sex.
Long-distance relationships have become more accessible
Technology has provided us with many opportunities to meet people living in other regions and even countries. Moving has also become easier: one can win a scholarship or find a job far from home. So couples can be apart for a certain period but continue to be in monogamous relationships. For obvious reasons, there will be no sex for either during this time.
There is simply no energy left for sex
Burnout is recognized as an illness, and multitasking has become a standard requirement in job postings. Researchers note Millennials and Gen Z are more anxious than previous generations: here’s why that millennials and centennials are significantly more prone to anxiety disorders and depression compared to previous generations. There is simply no time and energy left for sex. And antidepressants can additionally lower libido.
What will happen to sex in the future
Futurists agree: sex will no longer be the same. We are waiting for many transformations. For example, sexting will evolve Future of Sex Report into full-fledged long-distance caresses thanks to tactile suits and sensual sensory interfaces. Porn will become more realistic thanks to 3D. And robots will join the process.
Anyway, young people are focused on relationships and sex that brings pleasure to all participants and are open to experiments. Isn't that wonderful? Especially since Generation Z protects against 2019 SKYN® Condoms Sex & Intimacy Survey Discovers Gaps Between Sexually Active Millennials And Gen Z unwanted pregnancies and venereal diseases more responsibly than their predecessors.
One of the main fears of those worried about the absence of sex among young people is the decline Fewer kids later. Why is birth rate sharply decreasing worldwide? in birth rates. But here the more important role is played not by the number of sexual contacts but by contraception Demographic transition — 2: to breed or to learn? .
