According to some research, Generation Z – that is, those born between 1997 and 2012 – is less sexually active than other generations. Technology addiction, stress and mental health issues are affecting young people's sex lives, the NY Post reports, citing HuffPost.
Generation Z has difficulty discussing boundaries with partners. PHOTO Shutterstock (Archive)
One in four young adults in Generation Z admit they have never had sex, according to a 2021 survey by the Kinsey Institute and Lovehoney, cited by HuffPost.
Around 31% said the most they experienced was sexting, meaning exchanging photos, messages and videos with a partner.
At least one expert suggests that Gen Zers are redefining the concept of sex.
“When young adults say they don't have sex, it doesn't necessarily mean they're sexually inexperienced; rather, many of them seem to be expressing their sexuality in a different way – and increasingly, it's through an Internet connection“, sex researcher Justin Lehmiller said at the time in response to the survey results.
Communication problems
Generation Z has difficulty discussing boundaries and desires with partners and future partners, experts say.
While talk about consent and pleasure is getting mentioned more and more these days, it seems to be getting harder when it's time to apply these things in relationships, according to New York City therapist Keanu Jackson.
“In fact, I meet a lot of people who are looking for support in learning how to talk and tell the truth about their sexual and relationship needs” Jackson told HuffPost.
“There is a widespread misconception that if you want to have a healthy long-term relationship, you must be ready to meet all of your partner's needs all the time. Not only is this an extremely dangerous and unrealistic expectation, but it teaches people that personal boundaries are not as important. This is especially true when there are clear power differentials present in the relationship“, added the therapist.
Gen Z feels pressured to put labels on their sexuality
Gen Z youth feel pressured to “explore sexuality freely,” when they might not be ready, according to therapist Torri Efron Pelton.
“With access to social media and the recognition of multiple sexual identities, teens feel both accepted and pressured to explore themselves in order not to fit into a certain category.
Sexual freedom has led to concerns like, “What if I don't want sex to be casual?” “What if I don't know what I like and everyone else does?”,” Efron Pelton told HuffPost.
She feels marginalized by certain sexual communities
While an older person might shrug their shoulders and move on with their lives at the sight of an ad or profile on an app that boldly presents specific physical requirements to the exclusion of all others, Gen Zers consider that these attitudes are disturbing, Jackson said.
Jackson said he has seen ads for events that “restrict access based on physical appearance – race, weight, height, etc. – or heard of people who paid to attend an event and were ultimately refused entry for no specified reason“.
The flood of unwanted nude photos is disturbing
Sexually explicit content sent on apps like Snapchat is a big problem for Gen Zers, Efron Pelton said.
“I once had a young male client, about 15 years old. He opened his Snapchat and saw an explicit photo sent to him. He felt completely unsafe returning to school being around that classmate and wasn't sure how to process what he had just seen.”the therapist recalled.
Dealing with performance anxiety
“We live in a shame society, unfortunately, that makes value judgments based on how your body looks and what you perceive to be sexual abilities” Jackson explained.
“What I mean by that, for example, is that based on how you look, someone can assign you a sexual script before you even have a chance to introduce yourself. If you somehow don't fit the mold that's been created for you, then you're likely to be mistreated or shamed just for being yourself, which of course could lead to heightened anxiety as you try to have sex or have intimate relations with someonesaid the therapist.
Although honest discussions about sex and greater openness about it have become the norm among young people, there are still many issues that need to be addressed in order for them to feel comfortable in their own bodies.
