In the 21st century, life is not like an episode of Sex and the City. After their full-time jobs, four women spend their weeknights and weekends going on dates with several men. And as I sit in my bed watching them get laid, I’m exhausted watching their back-breaking work to ultimately find a mate.
Millennials who would rather sit at home for some downtime after classes or work aren’t alone. Those who were 15 to 19 years old during the years 2011-2013, had less sex than previous generations according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention. Also, Americans 18 to 29 who are not living with a partner, unmarried or married, increased from 48 percent in 2005 to 64 percent in 2014, according to a Gallup poll in 2015. With dating apps such as Tinder and Bumble, hookups would appear to be easier and more frequent. But it turns out we have fewer sex partners than Gen-Xers and baby boomers at the same age.
The hookup culture that has been tacked onto the millennial generation is overblown. Studies from the 2010s found that there was a decrease or no change in sexual partners between the generations.
Multiple factors can be attributed for the decline. A major one is technology. Economist Erik Hurst explains that middle-aged males spend about 30 hours playing video games a week — just 10 hours shy of a full-time job. It’s kind of hard to hang out with a significant other or even go on dates with 70 hours blocked out of your week — sorry Carrie Bradshaw.
And of course, there’s porn, usually an individualistic ritual that is convenient and doesn’t leave much for the sexual imagination. There is no curiosity, no ambition to go out and meet people based on proximity of friends or family. This is also a generation who has seen financial ruin and values a stable career. Even short-term relationships seem too serious.
This isn’t a "millennials are ruining sex" rant. There are a few logical reasons that generation is more cautious. Because of technology, there is more information out there on sexually transmitted infections and how to practice safe sex. Teenage pregnancies are down, and the use of contraceptives is up. Millennials are also less judgmental of other people’s sex lives, according to psychologist and sexual studies author Jean Twenge.
We’re not the generation that ruins stuff, rather we should be known as the ones who play it safely. So turn off the Xbox, put down the phone in front of others and spend some time taking a few more risks. Maybe even catch some feelings once in a while.
Marisa Fernandez is a senior studying journalism at Ohio University. Please note that the views and opinions of the columnists do not reflect those of The Post. Are you a millennial that would rather stay in than put in the effort to hookup? Let Marisa know by tweeting her @mmfernandez_.
