The Astonishing Decline: Unveiling the Startling Reasons Behind the Decreased Frequency of Sexual Activity Among Young Adults, Particularly Men!

People are experiencing a decrease in sexual activity, and this decline is particularly evident among younger adults, especially men.

The trend may be more influenced by the internet and dating apps than by morality, fear of pregnancy, or easy access to porn.

According to a recent study published in JAMA Network Open, approximately 1 in 3 men aged 18 to 24 reported no sexual activity in the past year.

Between 2000-2002 and 2016-2018, past-year sexual inactivity increased from almost 19 percent to nearly 31 percent among men aged 18 to 24, as reported by researchers led by Dr. Peter Ueda, a postdoctoral researcher at the Karolinska Institutet in Stockholm, Sweden.

Sexual inactivity among women of the same age remained relatively stable, rising from 15 percent to 19 percent over the same time period.

The study also revealed a significant decline in sexual activity among men and women aged 25 to 34 (7 percent versus 14 percent among men, 7 percent versus 12 percent among women).

Contrastingly, sexual activity did not decrease among adults aged 35 to 44.

Fewer adults also reported engaging in sex weekly or more frequently.

Unmarried, low-income, and unemployed or part-time employed men were more likely to have had no sex in the past year compared to those who were married, had higher income, or had jobs.

Dr. Ueda expressed, "It seems like in the U.S. and elsewhere, it might be harder for a proportion of the population to establish themselves in society, in the labor market, and perhaps also in the dating market," in an interview with Healthline.

The study also found that even among individuals who were sexually active, the frequency of sexual activity has declined.

Dr. Ueda pointed out, "While the mean sexual frequency among those who were sexually active may reflect their priorities and preferences, sexual inactivity may reflect an absence of sexually intimate relationships, with substantially different implications for individuals and society."

These findings were based on responses from 4,291 men and 5,213 women participating in the U.S. General Social Survey between 2000 and 2018.

Delayed adulthood might be a contributing factor, as suggested in a commentary accompanying the survey results by Dr. Jean M. Twenge, a professor of psychology at San Diego State University. Similar declines in sexual activity have been observed in surveys conducted in Great Britain, indicating a broader cultural trend toward delayed development.

Dr. Jeffrey Jensen Arnett, a research professor at Clark University, emphasized that the decline in sexual activity is part of an overall trend toward less risky behavior since 1990, encompassing not only sex but also alcohol use, risky driving, and criminal activity.

While digital media distractions, including internet and social media, were considered as potential factors, it was suggested that pornography might not be the issue, as research indicates that pornography users are actually more sexually active.

Nancy Sutton Pierce, a clinical sexologist, mentioned that a decades-long decline in male testosterone levels and the #MeToo movement might also be contributing factors, empowering women to assertively say yes or no and be intolerant of coercion and forced sex.

Dr. Kristen Mark, a sex and relationships researcher, highlighted the lack of a clear definition of sex in the study, suggesting that the perceived decline in sexual activity could be attributed to an increase in sexual diversity and acceptance of variety.

In agreement, Cyndi Darnell, a clinical sexologist and sex therapist, emphasized that including various forms of sexual activities beyond heteronormative assumptions would likely provide a different perspective on the statistics, suggesting that young men may be engaging in more pleasure-focused sex rather than conforming to traditional scripts.