Gen Z’s Attitudes to Sex: 4 Trends

Published 09 December 2024

Author
Nienke Creemers
2 min read

As discussions about Gen Z’s sexual activity (or lack thereof) continue, young people are exploring their sexualities and the circumstances in which they have sex. For some, this means opting for monogamous relationships over casual encounters, while young women are increasingly considering abstinence as a form of political empowerment.

  • Fluid Sexualities: Globally, Gen Z is the generation most likely to identify as LGBTQ+ at 17% – compared to 11% of millennials, 6% of Gen X, and 5% of baby boomers (Ipsos, 2024).

    In the US, 22.3% of 18- to 26-year-olds identified as LGBTQ+ in 2023 (Gallup, 2024), whilst 42% of American Gen Z singles are interested in same-gendered sexual experiences (Match.com, 2024), suggesting many Gen Zers see their sexualities as fluid.

  • Reassessing Hook-Ups: Young people are growing sceptical of sex outside relationships. On TikTok, people compare casual hook-ups to fast food or provide tips on ‘intentional dating’. Meanwhile, books like Ten Men: A Year of Casual Sex (2024) by British author Kitty Ruskin explore issues like consent and vulnerability raised by hook-up culture.
  • Dreaming of Monogamy: Gen Z increasingly see monogamy as aspirational. In a survey from US-based dating app Feeld, global Gen Zers said it was their preferred relationship type, with 81% fantasising about it (Feeld, 2024). Furthermore, 57% of American Gen Z singles want to marry, and 83% believe their marriage will be lifelong (Match.com, 2024).

    In the UK, partnered Gen Zers are having more sex. In 2024, 47% of British women who had more sex than the year prior did so because they entered a relationship (eHarmony, 2024).

  • The Abstinence Issue: Some young women are going ‘boy sober’ – abstaining from sex with men. This can be for self-improvement reasons, such as focusing on their friendships and careers. Others are choosing abstinence as a political statement. See American actress Julia Fox, who said she wanted to “take back the control” following the overturning of Roe v. Wade. For more, see the Brief on politically motivated abstinence in South Korea.