In my 20’s, sex was the most desired and exciting thing in life. My concern was getting pregnant, which would happen later, but at that time, of course, I wasn’t thinking about kids.
Back in the day, we were more rowdy, hence the boom in campaigns with the use of condoms and birth control pills.
Today the reality is different; against all odds, millennials and Generation Z are having less sex than previous generations. The reasons are diverse, but experts even speak of a sexual recession.
According to experts, young people have new social dynamics, as well as a disproportionate use of technology. Not to mention that they are living in a time where there is no mystery, because they are only one click away from getting what they want.
The paradox is that the reduction of sexual activity is not only experienced by singles, but also in couple relationships. This behavior is being registered in young people between 20 and 35 years old.
Paloma Carvajalino, an expert in emotional disorders, explains this behavior: “All relationship dynamics have changed and we have seen that a lot from the psychological perspective; the more connection, the lower the libido in young people. Libido has to settle somewhere and when we are caught up in other things, it decreases”.
The expert says that this permanent overexposure to external stimuli causes the libido to deviate, which truncates its correct direction. Therefore, it begins to diminish.
On the other hand, there is sexual desire, which needs several elements: curiosity, mystery, play and even for it to be forbidden.
In this regard, Carvajalino says: “Today this is becoming more and more explicit, more within the reach of young people and makes it less interesting, which ends up affecting them. This puts new interests in the dynamics of sexuality”.
The gynecologist and sexologist, Germán González, reveals that: “We are in a world of access to information and this is diminishing the libido issue. However, as the level of what-we-see increases, women learn to be desired and men learn to treat them as objects”.
On the other hand, mental health in these times is the Achilles heel of everyone, but especially of young people as they are more prone to suffer from disorders such as anxiety, depression and stress. The sexologist mentions that the use of medications influences the decrease of sexual desire.
Experts agree that one of the reasons why sex is decreasing among young people, not only in Colombia but worldwide, is related to sexual dissatisfaction, which is related to two aspects: lack of communication and personal ignorance about sexuality.
However, in some cases, the figures are surprising. For example, 43% of 18-34 year olds in Japan are virgins.
In addition to the above causes, other ingredients related to young people’s preferences are found in this cocktail:
- They prefer solo sex to save themselves from heartbreak and getting cheated on.
- They prioritize their personal fulfillment such as study, work, travel, before having a relationship or getting married.
- They are afraid of dating apps because of possible sexual harassment or abuse.
- Porn as a bad sexual reference, in which men are shown as stallions and women as sexual objects.
While it’s true that young people don’t match easily, this can also be a good lesson, according to anthropologist Helen Fisher of the Kinsey Institute:
“I’d like people to understand that while millennials aren’t getting married yet and aren’t having sex like my generation, the reasons are good. Today’s singles are looking to learn as much as possible about a potential partner before investing time, energy and money into dating”.
The anthropologist adds, and sums it up with this reflection: They may have fewer partners in their lifetimes, but they will probably divorce less than their parents.
Traducción del español: Catalina Oviedo Brugés
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