Young men are having less and less sex, especially those in difficult economic situations. However, sexual satisfaction is one of the keys to good health.
- Between 2000 and 2018, sexual inactivity increased among men aged 18 to 34.
The frequency of sexual intercourse among young people is falling, especially among men, according to a new study published in JAMA. Between 2000 and 2018, sexual inactivity increased among men aged 18 to 34, mostly among those who were unmarried. “Men with low incomes, part-time jobs and the unemployed were more likely to be sexually inactive, as were students,” say the authors of the study.
To measure sexual activity, they assessed sexual frequency over the past year (sexual inactivity, intercourse once or twice a year, 1 to 3 times a month, or once a week and more) then the number of sexual partners met during the past year (0, 1, 2 or more than 3).
“Implications for public health”
The bottom line: Since the 2000s, sexual inactivity has increased among American men, such that about 1 in 3 men ages 18 to 24 have reported no sexual activity in the past year. Sexual inactivity also increased among men and women aged 25 to 34. “These findings may have implications for public health,” believe the researchers, because “Sexual satisfaction is a key component of health and well-being, potentially lowering heart rate, blood pressure and stress.”
In addition, another study published in Archives of Sexual Behavior shows that in the United States, a quarter of young adults aged 18 to 24 say that porn is their main source of information about sexuality. A cause and effect relationship with the decline in reports?