According to data cited by DatingAdvice.com and the Kinsey Institute, the proportion of 18-29 year olds who reported not having had sex in the past year has doubled from 2010 to 2024 – from about 12 to 24 percent. Additionally, about half of Gen Z adults have not had sex at all.
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Contributing factors may include dating app fatigue, economic pressure, decreased face-to-face interaction, and more time spent in front of screens.
Sexologist Angie Rowntree offers five tips to people wanting to get out of the so-called “sex recession” on Vice.
1. Get out of the house
More and more people describe themselves as asocial, then wonder why they don’t meet new people.
Life in front of screens replaces chance encounters and conversations that sometimes naturally develop into romantic or sexual relationships.
“Your phone has never introduced you to another person,” notes A. Rowntree.
Therefore, the specialist urges paying more attention to the people who are actually nearby. The social media news feed won’t go anywhere – you can return to it at home.
2. Sex with yourself is also important
Sexuality doesn’t disappear just because there is no partner nearby.
A. Rowntree views masturbation quite simply: by keeping the “erotic chain active,” there is room for desire even between sexual encounters.
People who maintain a connection with their body and better understand their sexual needs often experience more pleasurable sex with another person.
Knowing what you want is a skill, and skills require practice.
3. Stop treating sex like an exam
Some Gen Z members avoid intimate situations because they seem too demanding and pressure-filled. This can only deepen the problem.
“Sex with a partner is not the Olympic Games,” says A. Rowntree.
It’s simply two consenting adults trying to have a good time. True intimacy should also not be compared to a professionally filmed pornographic movie featuring professional actors.
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“No one watches a car chase movie and takes notes on how to drive better,” adds the sexologist. “It’s the same with pornography.”
4. Try ethical erotic content
Ethically produced adult content, which pays more attention to story, performance, and genuine pleasure, can help rekindle sexual interest without causing the emotional pressure associated with partner searching.
According to the sexologist, audio format can be especially useful because it allows imagination to engage without relying on concrete visuals like in typical pornographic content.
Close your eyes, listen, and let your imagination work.
As A. Rowntree says: “Endless scrolling on the phone steals joy and orgasms.”
Ethical erotica, in her opinion, can be one of the alternatives.
5. Learn to say what you want
One of the most often forgotten elements of good sex is the ability to talk about your desires.
A. Rowntree encourages talking about sexual needs just like any other topic that interests us. You can start with people you feel comfortable with.
True intimacy has no edit button. The ability to feel comfortable being yourself, even if you sometimes seem a little weird, is the essence.
“A person who can openly talk about their desires is actually very attractive,” says the sexologist. “The ability to speak freely always beats technique.”
The “sex recession” is a real and documented phenomenon, but many people can change it.
And most of these tips don’t even require a partner. Sometimes it’s enough to put the phone aside and want something that isn’t on the screen.
