If you were born in the 1990’s, consider yourself the luckiest when it comes to sexual freedom. Casual hook-ups, non-marital sex, sexting and dating apps are the norm. Non-heteronormativity and bodily liberty is acknowledged, porn is more accessible than ever, and consent is at least being discussed.
Considering that, having sex with your partner, husband, wife, or a person you come across at the pub or on tinder should be easier than ever! Ask your parents if they ever had the privilege to have sex whenever and with whoever they wanted to. If they are not busy blushing with embarrassment or flaring in anger at your audacity to discuss this with them, their answer will be a plain no.
Why, then, is this relatively ‘liberal’ and ‘open’ generation not indulging in sex as much?
If studies are to be believed, Gen Y is not enjoying sex as much as the older generations did. For instance, a study in the journal Archives of Sexual Behaviour showed that younger millennials (i.e. those born in the 1990s) are more than twice as likely to be sexually inactive in their early 20s as Gen Xers were.
Many reasons have been attributed to this fall in libido.
While these are mostly American studies, what do experts back home have to say about them?
Doctors in India, however, seem to have a different opinion.
Dr Kamna Chibber is a Clinical Psychologist and Head of Mental Health department at Fortis La Femme in New Delhi. Speaking to FIT, she said,
In addition, Dr Kamna stressed on the increasing social interaction that is becoming possible today and showed that people might prefer having friends and partners around, instead of being alone.
FIT also approached Dr Prakash Kothari, a renowned Sexologist in Mumbai, who believes that surveys can be misleading. According to him, in fact, pornography and stress aid rather than obstruct sexual activity.
Similarly, Dr Kothari explained that stress can affect anyone, not just the millennial. Sex can work as an excellent stress-buster as the release of endorphins during sex provides relief from stress and uplifts mood.
Our experts, therefore, are pretty clear about Indians and their sex drives. Whether it is the cultural background of the country or its consistent opening up, the study results are far from true in India.
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