America is currently in a sexual recession of sorts with the number of adults reporting celibacy over the past 12 months reaching an all-time high in 2018. A decade ago, in 2008, 10% of Americans between the ages of 18 and 29 reported that they had no sex during the past year.
This figure more than doubled in 2018 when as many as 23% of respondents in a survey admitted to being celibate for more than a year. The driving force behind the upsurge appears to be young men with nearly 28% of guys under the age of 30 reporting celibacy for an extended period of time according to data collected from the General Social Survey.
Various factors driving the sex drought
Experts on the topic of the USA’s bedroom habits state that there are a number of possible factors that are the driving force behind the Great American Sex Drought. Age is one of these factors with nearly 26% of the current American population being older than 60. While there are countless senior that enjoy very active sex lives, the mere fact that the 60+ age group is growing relative to everyone else has the net effect of decreasing the nation’s overall probability of having sex.
Technology trumps intimacy in the bedroom
Technology is partially to blame for the spike in celibacy levels in the USA with the average American often spending as much as 12 hours a day glued to an electronic screen. All of a sudden there are a lot more things to do in the bedroom than simply having sex.
Whereas smartphones were once lauded for their potential to help initiate anything from a quick hook-up to a lasting relationship, they have seemingly found a new purpose. Young people, in particular, are more interested in social media and gaming than in the prospect of sex – a huge change from ten years ago.
Celibacy should not deprive you of all sexual pleasure
Whether celibacy is intentional or not, it strictly refers to abstaining from having sex with someone else. It does not, however, require you to refrain from pleasuring yourself. With celibacy levels still on the increase across the USA, it is no wonder that the American sex toy market is worth approximately $15 billion.
Increase in celibacy directly impacts U.S. population growth
Sex was not the only thing to reach an all-time low in 2018. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the national population growth rate was at its lowest since 1937. While there are a number of factors influencing the plummeting birth rate, a decrease in sex in general clearly plays a pivotal role.
Although the population growth rate in the USA is still significantly higher than in countries like Japan, Italy and Germany it is forcing policymakers to focus their attention on caring for a bigger and increasingly dependent aging population
We are already four months into 2019 and still, there is no clear indication that the sex drought is coming to an end. If the trend continues at the current rate there is no way of telling to what extent the American population will be affected.
Disclaimer
The information contained in South Florida Reporter is for general information purposes only.
The South Florida Reporter assumes no responsibility for errors or omissions in the contents of the Service.
In no event shall the South Florida Reporter be liable for any special, direct, indirect, consequential, or incidental damages or any damages whatsoever, whether in an action of contract, negligence or other tort, arising out of or in connection with the use of the Service or the contents of the Service. The Company reserves the right to make additions, deletions, or modifications to the contents of the Service at any time without prior notice.
The Company does not warrant that the Service is free of viruses or other harmful components
