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USA Today
16 hours ago
- General
- USA Today
'Sexual conservatism,' virginity and why Gen Z is having less sex
Research shows America's youth today are having less sex. The 2023 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Youth Risk Behavior found adolescent sexual behavior declined since 2013. A 2022 survey from the Kinsey Institute that found one in four Gen Z adults say they have never experienced partnered sex. But are Gen Z really as modest as some may think? Carter Sherman, 31, a journalist for The Guardian, digs into that question with her new book "The Second Coming," which explores Gen Z's sex lives — or lack thereof. Sherman found through interviews with more than 100 young people that this generational dry spell is less puritanical and more political, with Gen Zers abstaining from sex for a complex variety of reasons. Gen Z is sometimes framed as a "nation of virgins," Sherman writes, but our obsession with their lack of intercourse may really say more about our constant need to tell young people how to have sex. Rather than be corrective, she argues, we should focus on approaches that promote safe, consensual encounters and reduce shame. The following interview has been edited for length and clarity. Question: You share at the opening of the book you were obsessed with losing your virginity as a teen — sobbing to your mother when you learned a best friend lost theirs to a classmate before you. How is the idea of virginity impacting how we think about young people and sex? I was so obsessed with my own [virginity]. Truly, my last few years of high school were dominated by my a total freak-out that I was still a virgin. I felt that I should have already had sex and my friends were leaving me behind by having sex, and I felt I wasn't living up to the standard of being a teenager. Part of my own journey in writing this book was coming to understand that standard was based on false information. You're either too virginal, or not virginal enough. There's no way to win. I don't think we've moved from the idea of virginity. At the end of the day many of the young people I spoke to felt their virginity was important, and some feel that their virginity was treated as too important. We are always setting standards that don't match up to reality and make us feel worse about ourselves. What doesn't help is the level of shame people carry around and the feeling they're constantly doing it wrong. How much of a factor is the end of Roe v. Wade playing in Gen Z's not having sex? Gen Z is absolutely aware of how much the overturning of Roe v. Wade has changed the U.S., and in particularly their sex lives. Sixteen percent of Gen Zers are now more hesitant to date since the fall of Roe. There are so many young women I talked to who shared a level of sheer anxiety that Roe's overturning sparked. What the overturning of Roe has done is create a deep of anxiety but also create a generation that is ready to do battle over this. Feeling this stuff doesn't make you feel safe enough not only to be in a sexual relationship but also a romantic one. At the same time, you spoke with conservative youth, particularly men, and found that movements to embrace traditional sex roles have also complicated youth feelings about sex. What I call "sexual conservatism" speaks to that. This is the movement to make it dangerous to have queer, unmarried or recreational sex. Sexual conservatism has done a much better job of speaking about the difficulties of raising a family in this country than progressives. It's very appealing for young people to go toward sexual conservatism because the only people they hear talking about it are those on the right. If you feel like you're not being heard, you're going to go to the only people talking about this issue in a comprehensive manner. Gen Z has so much online information about sex, including porn, at their fingertips. How does that impact their sex lives? I really love how the internet has opened up discussions about what is sexuality. But social media also does this thing where it makes people extremely aware of the ways they believe they're falling short with sex. We're gauging our sexual value by likes, matches and follower counts. It makes people not want to engage in sex because they feel they have to look perfect naked in order to get naked. That's not a recipe for vulnerability or connection. How does OnlyFans fit into all of this? As Only Fans bleeds into mainstream social media, it becomes another metric whereby people evaluate themselves and make themselves also appear that way. For young people, the line between (real life) and virtual sex is very much diminishing and blurring. I don't think that's necessarily a bad thing, it's just how it is at this point. If we want to have conversations about sex, we have to acknowledge so much of young people's sex lives are shaped by the interactions they're having online. What is your advice for older adults trying to relate Gen Z right now? It's less about having the exact right information and more about approaching the topic with an empathetic attitude. Young people through the internet have more taken an approach to LGBTQ+ identities that are more iterative. Recognizing that and not treating that with suspicion is what's important for older people who might not understand what young people are going through. Gen Z men, women have a political divide It's made dating a nightmare What's the bottom line about Gen Z's sex lives? I don't really care if young people are having less sex if that's something they're comfortable with. What I worry about is if having less sex is a proxy for not having relationships, not having connections with yourself and what makes you feel good.
The Irish Sun
7 days ago
- Health
- The Irish Sun
Side-effects of fat jabs are transforming the dating scene – and ‘reshaping' our sex lives
WEIGHT loss jabs are changing people's lives. For the 1.5 million Brits already on them, many are likely to be shedding the pounds, and fast. Advertisement 1 Weight loss jabs are shaking up people's sex and dating lives Credit: Getty While new studies suggest they may make people healthier, by slashing the risk of But that's not all - these so-called 'fat jabs' could be changing the way we flirt, date and have sex too. According to a survey by the Kinsey Institute, at Indiana University in the US, nearly half of people using GLP-1 drugs said the meds had changed their sex lives - for better, or worse. Some users reported feeling a serious boost in desire, feeling sexier naked, and noticing better performance in the bedroom. Advertisement But it wasn't all good news, others said their "There's a very nuanced story to tell here," Dr Justin Lehmiller, one of the study's authors said. "How these drugs impact your sex life will depend on a variety of factors, including dosage, speed of weight loss and changes to fitness habits.' The research conducted with polled 2,000 single adults in the US, aged 18 to 91. Advertisement Most read in Health Of those, 8 per cent, just 160 people, said they'd used weight-loss jabs like Ozempic or Wegovy. Among those users, nearly 60 per cent said the Feeling Full Naturally: Top 5 Foods That Act Like Weight Loss Jabs They reported a range of benefits, from getting more matches on dating apps to feeling confident enough to ask people out. Nearly one in six users said they had bought new clothes to show off their bodies, while others noticed exes reaching out, sparked by their transformations. Advertisement Around 13 per cent felt more confident posting photos online, and 12 per cent said they were going on more dates. Sexual desire increased for 18 per cent of users, but 16 per cent experienced the opposite effect. Similarly, 16 per cent felt more comfortable naked, while 14 per cent felt less so. Improvements in sexual function were reported by 16 per cent, but 12 per cent said their sexual performance had worsened. Advertisement Men see the biggest difference Men in particular reported more pronounced shifts, both positive and negative. They were twice as likely as women to say their libido had increased, they were happier with their bodies, and that their sexual function improved. Yet they were also more likely to report decreased libido and sexual difficulties. Despite the boost in confidence many felt, 60 per cent of men admitted to worrying about being judged or shamed for taking these medications, compared to 35 per cent of women. Advertisement Dr Amanda Gesselman, another study author, added: 'GLP-1 use is rising among single adults and it's starting to influence more than just how people look and feel about themselves. Read more on the Irish Sun "These shifts have the potential to reshape how people build intimacy in today's dating landscape. "For example, as users report reduced appetites and lower interest in alcohol, the classic dinner-and-drinks date may give way to new ways of connecting.' Everything you need to know about fat jabs Weight loss jabs are all the rage as studies and patient stories reveal they help people shed flab at almost unbelievable rates, as well as appearing to reduce the risk of serious diseases. Wegovy – a modified version of type 2 diabetes drug Ozempic – and Mounjaro are the leading weight loss injections used in the UK. Wegovy, real name semaglutide, has been used on the NHS for years while Mounjaro (tirzepatide) is a newer and more powerful addition to the market. Mounjaro accounts for most private prescriptions for weight loss and is set to join Wegovy as an NHS staple this year. How do they work? The jabs work by suppressing your appetite, making you eat less so your body burns fat for energy instead and you lose weight. They do this my mimicking a hormone called GLP-1, which signals to the brain when the stomach is full, so the drugs are officially called GLP-1 receptor agonists. They slow down digestion and increase insulin production, lowering blood sugar, which is why they were first developed to treat type 2 diabetes in which patients' sugar levels are too high. Can I get them? NHS prescriptions of weight loss drugs, mainly Wegovy and an older version called Saxenda (chemical name liraglutide), are controlled through specialist weight loss clinics. Typically a patient will have to have a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or higher, classifying them as medically obese, and also have a weight-related health condition such as high blood pressure. GPs generally do not prescribe the drugs for weight loss. Private prescribers offer the jabs, most commonly Mounjaro, to anyone who is obese (BMI of 30+) or overweight (BMI 25-30) with a weight-related health risk. Private pharmacies have been rapped for handing them out too easily and video calls or face-to-face appointments are now mandatory to check a patient is being truthful about their size and health. Are there any risks? Yes – side effects are common but most are relatively mild. Around half of people taking the drug experience gut issues, including sickness, bloating, acid reflux, constipation and diarrhoea. Dr Sarah Jarvis, GP and clinical consultant at said: 'One of the more uncommon side effects is severe acute pancreatitis, which is extremely painful and happens to one in 500 people.' Other uncommon side effects include altered taste, kidney problems, allergic reactions, gallbladder problems and hypoglycemia. Evidence has so far been inconclusive about whether the injections are damaging to patients' mental health. Figures obtained by The Sun show that, up to January 2025, 85 patient deaths in the UK were suspected to be linked to the medicines
Scottish Sun
7 days ago
- Health
- Scottish Sun
Side-effects of fat jabs are transforming the dating scene – and ‘reshaping' our sex lives
WEIGHT loss jabs are changing people's lives. For the 1.5 million Brits already on them, many are likely to be shedding the pounds, and fast. 1 Weight loss jabs are shaking up people's sex and dating lives Credit: Getty While new studies suggest they may make people healthier, by slashing the risk of heart disease and curing booze addiction. But that's not all - these so-called 'fat jabs' could be changing the way we flirt, date and have sex too. According to a survey by the Kinsey Institute, at Indiana University in the US, nearly half of people using GLP-1 drugs said the meds had changed their sex lives - for better, or worse. Some users reported feeling a serious boost in desire, feeling sexier naked, and noticing better performance in the bedroom. But it wasn't all good news, others said their libido took a hit, or that they felt less comfortable with their bodies, even as the weight dropped off. "There's a very nuanced story to tell here," Dr Justin Lehmiller, one of the study's authors said. "How these drugs impact your sex life will depend on a variety of factors, including dosage, speed of weight loss and changes to fitness habits.' The research conducted with polled 2,000 single adults in the US, aged 18 to 91. Of those, 8 per cent, just 160 people, said they'd used weight-loss jabs like Ozempic or Wegovy. Among those users, nearly 60 per cent said the medication had affected their dating lives. Feeling Full Naturally: Top 5 Foods That Act Like Weight Loss Jabs They reported a range of benefits, from getting more matches on dating apps to feeling confident enough to ask people out. Nearly one in six users said they had bought new clothes to show off their bodies, while others noticed exes reaching out, sparked by their transformations. Around 13 per cent felt more confident posting photos online, and 12 per cent said they were going on more dates. Sexual desire increased for 18 per cent of users, but 16 per cent experienced the opposite effect. Similarly, 16 per cent felt more comfortable naked, while 14 per cent felt less so. Improvements in sexual function were reported by 16 per cent, but 12 per cent said their sexual performance had worsened. Men see the biggest difference Men in particular reported more pronounced shifts, both positive and negative. They were twice as likely as women to say their libido had increased, they were happier with their bodies, and that their sexual function improved. Yet they were also more likely to report decreased libido and sexual difficulties. Despite the boost in confidence many felt, 60 per cent of men admitted to worrying about being judged or shamed for taking these medications, compared to 35 per cent of women. Dr Amanda Gesselman, another study author, added: 'GLP-1 use is rising among single adults and it's starting to influence more than just how people look and feel about themselves. "These shifts have the potential to reshape how people build intimacy in today's dating landscape. "For example, as users report reduced appetites and lower interest in alcohol, the classic dinner-and-drinks date may give way to new ways of connecting.'
The Sun
7 days ago
- Health
- The Sun
Side-effects of fat jabs are transforming the dating scene – and ‘reshaping' our sex lives
WEIGHT loss jabs are changing people's lives. For the 1.5 million Brits already on them, many are likely to be shedding the pounds, and fast. While new studies suggest they may make people healthier, by slashing the risk of heart disease and curing booze addiction. But that's not all - these so-called ' fat jabs ' could be changing the way we flirt, date and have sex too. According to a survey by the Kinsey Institute, at Indiana University in the US, nearly half of people using GLP-1 drugs said the meds had changed their sex lives - for better, or worse. Some users reported feeling a serious boost in desire, feeling sexier naked, and noticing better performance in the bedroom. But it wasn't all good news, others said their libido took a hit, or that they felt less comfortable with their bodies, even as the weight dropped off. "There's a very nuanced story to tell here," Dr Justin Lehmiller, one of the study's authors said. "How these drugs impact your sex life will depend on a variety of factors, including dosage, speed of weight loss and changes to fitness habits.' The research conducted with polled 2,000 single adults in the US, aged 18 to 91. Of those, 8 per cent, just 160 people, said they'd used weight-loss jabs like Ozempic or Wegovy. Among those users, nearly 60 per cent said the medication had affected their dating lives. Feeling Full Naturally: Top 5 Foods That Act Like Weight Loss Jabs They reported a range of benefits, from getting more matches on dating apps to feeling confident enough to ask people out. Nearly one in six users said they had bought new clothes to show off their bodies, while others noticed exes reaching out, sparked by their transformations. Around 13 per cent felt more confident posting photos online, and 12 per cent said they were going on more dates. Sexual desire increased for 18 per cent of users, but 16 per cent experienced the opposite effect. Similarly, 16 per cent felt more comfortable naked, while 14 per cent felt less so. Improvements in sexual function were reported by 16 per cent, but 12 per cent said their sexual performance had worsened. Men see the biggest difference Men in particular reported more pronounced shifts, both positive and negative. They were twice as likely as women to say their libido had increased, they were happier with their bodies, and that their sexual function improved. Yet they were also more likely to report decreased libido and sexual difficulties. Despite the boost in confidence many felt, 60 per cent of men admitted to worrying about being judged or shamed for taking these medications, compared to 35 per cent of women. Dr Amanda Gesselman, another study author, added: 'GLP-1 use is rising among single adults and it's starting to influence more than just how people look and feel about themselves. "These shifts have the potential to reshape how people build intimacy in today's dating landscape. "For example, as users report reduced appetites and lower interest in alcohol, the classic dinner-and-drinks date may give way to new ways of connecting.' Everything you need to know about fat jabs Weight loss jabs are all the rage as studies and patient stories reveal they help people shed flab at almost unbelievable rates, as well as appearing to reduce the risk of serious diseases. Wegovy – a modified version of type 2 diabetes drug Ozempic – and Mounjaro are the leading weight loss injections used in the UK. Wegovy, real name semaglutide, has been used on the NHS for years while Mounjaro (tirzepatide) is a newer and more powerful addition to the market. Mounjaro accounts for most private prescriptions for weight loss and is set to join Wegovy as an NHS staple this year. How do they work? The jabs work by suppressing your appetite, making you eat less so your body burns fat for energy instead and you lose weight. They do this my mimicking a hormone called GLP-1, which signals to the brain when the stomach is full, so the drugs are officially called GLP-1 receptor agonists. They slow down digestion and increase insulin production, lowering blood sugar, which is why they were first developed to treat type 2 diabetes in which patients' sugar levels are too high. Can I get them? NHS prescriptions of weight loss drugs, mainly Wegovy and an older version called Saxenda (chemical name liraglutide), are controlled through specialist weight loss clinics. Typically a patient will have to have a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or higher, classifying them as medically obese, and also have a weight-related health condition such as high blood pressure. GPs generally do not prescribe the drugs for weight loss. Private prescribers offer the jabs, most commonly Mounjaro, to anyone who is obese (BMI of 30+) or overweight (BMI 25-30) with a weight-related health risk. Private pharmacies have been rapped for handing them out too easily and video calls or face-to-face appointments are now mandatory to check a patient is being truthful about their size and health. Are there any risks? Yes – side effects are common but most are relatively mild. Around half of people taking the drug experience gut issues, including sickness, bloating, acid reflux, constipation and diarrhoea. Dr Sarah Jarvis, GP and clinical consultant at said: 'One of the more uncommon side effects is severe acute pancreatitis, which is extremely painful and happens to one in 500 people.' Other uncommon side effects include altered taste, kidney problems, allergic reactions, gallbladder problems and hypoglycemia. Evidence has so far been inconclusive about whether the injections are damaging to patients' mental health. Figures obtained by The Sun show that, up to January 2025, 85 patient deaths in the UK were suspected to be linked to the medicines
Newsweek
15-07-2025
- Health
- Newsweek
Men Are Gaining More Confidence From Ozempic Than Women: Report
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. While some may associate Ozempic and other GLP-1 medications with women trying to lose weight, it turns out that men are the ones gaining the most significant confidence boosts from it. In a Kinsey Institute and survey of GLP-1 users, men were three times more likely than women to say GLP-1s gave them more confidence. They also experienced more notable improvements in their dating lives and libidos. Why It Matters In recent years, the use of weight-loss medications called glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists has surged. Popular products include Ozempic, Mounjaro, Wegovy and Zephound and have been a game changer for many Americans who are obese or have type 2 diabetes. For patients who successfully lose weight, there can be significant changes in their mental health as well as their personal dating lives, but this impact appears to be more pronounced among male users. Ozempic is medicine for adults with type 2 diabetes. Wegovy is prescribed for long-term weight loss in adults and children. Both contain the active ingredient semaglutide, on January 13, 2025, in Sydney, Australia. Ozempic is medicine for adults with type 2 diabetes. Wegovy is prescribed for long-term weight loss in adults and children. Both contain the active ingredient semaglutide, on January 13, 2025, in Sydney, Australia. Steve Christo - Corbis/Corbis via Getty Images What To Know Across the entire survey sample, drugs like Ozempic were having major effects on users' dating lives. While 59 percent of users said the drugs changed their dating experiences, men experienced a more notable impact on their confidence levels and sex lives, according to the report. Men were three times more likely than women to say GLP-1s boosted their confidence and two times more likely to say they were going on more dates. They also reported higher libido, more matches and increased sexual activity. Still, there were some negative implications for men, of which 60 percent said they feared being judged for using GLP-1s and worried they'd be seen as "less masculine" for doing so. Of all GLP-1 users surveyed, 12 percent said they were going on more dates, and 14 percent said they were getting more matches on dating apps. Meanwhile, a whopping 52 percent reported changes in their sex lives. What People Are Saying Dr. Justin Lehmiller, the Kinsey Institute study lead, said in a statement: "I think there's a very nuanced story to tell here. How these drugs impact your sex life will depend on a variety of factors, including drug dosage and drug type, speed of weight loss, starting and ending weight, and how much you changed your health and fitness habits at the same time." "Sexually speaking, it appears that men are experiencing more positive and more negative impacts of GLP-1 medications." What Happens Next The long-term implications of GLP-1 medication use are so far unclear. A recent study discovered a new link between taking GLP-1 drugs and elevated risk of pancreatitis and kidney conditions, including kidney stones. GLP-1 medications are also associated with a higher risk of digestive problems, including nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and even stomach paralysis in rare cases.
