It’s become an old cliché at this point: older people waggling their fist about the younger generation and their wild and sexy ways. However, that’s not the case when you look at the numbers concerning Generation Z. Even with the increasing availability of ways to hook up, whether it be apps where you can simply swipe left or right, or social media profiles where the web of “friends of friends” seems to expand forever.
Recent surveys of teenagers and those in their early twenties reported surprisingly dull sex lives overall. Dr. Eileen Palace, a Psychologist specializing in sexual dysfunction, and director of The Center for Sexual Health, says that this generational shift began before the Covid pandemic hit and was only exasperated by its effects. "Data is also finding that large groups of people, interestingly those of higher economic classes especially, are staying home more since COVID. It has really changed the way we function both professionally and personally," Dr. Palace goes on to explain.
Tiffany Anton, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker specializing in sex and relationships, agrees that COVID's effects have lingered long past the pandemic. "A level of social isolation continues despite the ending of the pandemic stage," Anton says. "Social media, gaming, internet peer groups that haven't met up in person, increased focus on grades for college students ... plus reduced alcohol usage has all compounded. The failure to launch with people living along with their parents for much longer than in previous generations also doesn't equate for ease of bringing potential sexual partners 'back home' as well," Anton further explains. COVID also increased anxiety and depression in many young adults who are still working to stabilize back to pre-COVID levels, further complicating many sex lives. Dr. Palace of the Center for Sexual Health agrees that the pandemic strained relationships for many people and made the interpersonal connection required for physical relationships hard for a large number of people not just in the United States, but across the world. "Suddenly, it increased the reliance on social media as a ways of connecting and encouraged social isolation. So, they learned to grow up on Zoom and social media ... not only for social activities, but for education and recreation. Those are all areas where people in past generations would have used those opportunities as ways to meet and bond with other young adults and become more intimate. Generation Z simply doesn't have that anymore," Dr. Palace further explains.
Dr. Palace is also quick to note the implications of this marked dip in sexual activity are far-reaching. "The data is international, not just local.
There has been an increase in sexting and having cyber sex, but the lack of actual sex has led to an increase in mental health issues. So, we're seeing more young people dealing with depression, anxiety, social anxiety, even thoughts of suicide. So, we consistently find in the research that where sex is decreasing, it is corresponding to an overall decrease in mental health," Dr.
Palace points out.
Another point of contention leading many young people to avoid physical sex in lieu of more online interaction is the rise of rough/kinky sex making many uncomfortable. Sexual therapist Tiffany Anton notes that "kinky sex can easily be normalized, but safety and training is necessary to engage in 'Risk Aware Consensual Kink' or RACK," Anton says. "People often engage in activities without an understanding of physiology or signs of when to stop.
There's a lack of consistency with safe words and breath play practices, which can be very dangerous even for those who consider it 'fun' to engage in" Anton explains. She notes that fear and anxiety about sexual practices can lead many to avoid physical contact altogether, leading to unhealthy outcomes.
Anton has a TEDx talk titled "I Love Pleasure" for couples who are dealing with performance anxiety and libido differences. She also hosts a podcast on sexual wellness called "Tiffany, Turned On"