Unlike the generations before, Gen Z just aren’t sleeping around anymore, and it’s not just because of sex culture changes.
A one-night stand is something most of us can say we’ve participated in (proudly or not).
The act of a one nighter involves meeting a person and having one intimate encounter before parting ways, never to see one another again.
It’s a trend we see in movies and TV too, which may or may not come back to haunt them at just the worst moment.
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While a lot of previous generations took part in a night of passion with a stranger, according to data, Gen Z just don’t do it.
So, why is this happening?
Theory 1: Gen Z don't drink as much as previous generations
Some people have put it down to the fact that Gen Z also are not partaking in party culture, and are far less likely to drink alcohol. Perhaps one-night stands just as aren't as appealing sober.
As per data from the National Institute on Drug Abuse, lifetime drinking, past month drinking, and past year drinking for young people aged 13 and over started to dip in 2000.
This means Gen Zers born from 1997 to 2012, and some Millennials (1981 to 1996) were impacted by this dip.
“It is becoming clear that, for whatever reasons, today’s younger generations are just less interested in alcohol and are more likely than older generations to see it as risky for their health and to participate in periods of abstinence like Dry January,” said National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism George F. Koob in a statement.
Gallup found that those under 35 who say they drink dropped to 62 percent in 2021-2023 from 72 percent in 2001-2003.
Theory 2: Gen Z don't socialise as much as previous generations
Maybe Gen Z avoid one-night stands because they prefer to stay at home and don't go out as often.
“Alcohol tends to be a social drug, even for young people, so part of the decline in underage drinking could be related to less in-person socializing,” said Koob.
As it turns out, it’s neither of those things that have stopped Gen Z from getting freaky for a night.
It’s the rising cost of living.
Theory 3: Gen Z can't afford one-night stands
Apparently, one-night stands are too expensive for Gen Z.
According to new research, 51 percent of 18 to 24-year-olds are actually living in shared housing, which would mean that they’re not exactly in a position to bring people over.
They’re also in a situation which calls for them to scale back on spending, at the cost of their own privacy.
For those who can’t afford to move out from their family home, research from Lovehoney shows that they have sex around 35 times per year, which is nearly half of the national average of 68.
However, it appears that masturbation is making up for the lack of sex, as 42 percent of people living at home admitted to masturbating a few times or more every week, 14 percent more than the national average.
Dubbed the ‘boring’ generation, they’ve turned away from spending money like crazy, drinking culture, fast fashion, and frivolous living.
Instead, they seem to prefer spending on wellness, experiences and personal development.
Topics: Money, Sex and Relationships
Britt Jones