She was raised in a Christian household in Washington state and thought sex before marriage would be the ultimate rebellion. But then college came and went — and no sex. But I think sex is kind of gross. The social isolation and transmission scares of the COVID pandemic have no doubt played a role in the shift. UCLA has been tracking behavioral trends for years through its annual California Health Interview Survey , the largest state health survey in the nation.
It includes questions about sexual activity. Twenge said the decline has been underway for roughly two decades.
Many people tightened their social circles when the pandemic surged in and In general, people coming of age in an era of dating apps say the notion of starting a relationship with someone they meet in person — say a chance encounter at a bar or dance club — seems like a piece of nostalgia.
Even friendships are increasingly forged over texting and video chats. Southern California is seeing a rash of parrot thefts. The pricey feathered companions have been stolen from pet stores, porches, even a vet. Ivanna Zuniga, 22, who recently graduated from UC Irvine with a degree in psychological sciences, said her peers have largely delayed sex and romance to focus on education and career. Zuniga, who is bisexual, has been with her partner for about four years.
The sexless phenomenon has made its way into pop culture. Gone are the days when meet-cutes in bars leading to one-night stands and sex at college parties were the cornerstone of coupling in films. At a party, the woman frantically searching for her date busts open bedroom doors where she expects to find people feverishly tangled in sheets. Instead, she finds teens sitting side by side on a bed, fully clothed, scrolling their phones or playing virtual reality games.
