A recent study has highlighted a surprising trend concerning adult virginity rates in the United States.
Despite the portrayal of an open and sex-positive culture in modern television and films, reality may differ significantly from these media narratives.
Sex may no longer hold the same position as a universal milestone into adulthood as it once did, according to this new research.
Research conducted by DatingAdvice.com in collaboration with the Kinsey Institute has uncovered that a notable number of adults, especially younger individuals, are remaining virgins, reflecting intriguing patterns across different genders and cultural perceptions.
The study, which surveyed a representative sample of 2,000 single adults ranging from 18 to 91 years old, discovered that about one in five, or roughly 22 percent, of the US population has never engaged in partnered sex.
According to researchers Dr. Justin Lehmiller and Dr. Amanda Gesselman, this data suggests that virginity is more prevalent and carries less stigma than the media might portray.
Interestingly, it appears that younger generations, specifically those in Gen Z and millennials, are leading a movement towards virginity.
The survey reveals that 48 percent of Gen Z adults and 26 percent of millennials identify as virgins.
In contrast, Gen X and Baby Boomers show lower virginity rates, with only 15.4 percent and 7.6 percent, respectively, identifying as virgins.
The study also dispels the notion that virginity is predominantly gendered, as both men (23 percent) and women (21 percent) report nearly identical virginity rates.
Regarding dating preferences, 55 percent of American adults expressed that they would not be discouraged from dating a virgin, challenging the assumption that virginity is a deal breaker.
Younger generations, such as Gen Z (69 percent) and millennials (60 percent), show a high willingness to date virgins.
Interestingly, despite having fewer virgins among their ranks, Gen X and Boomers are also fairly open to dating virgins, with 51 percent and 43 percent, respectively, willing to do so.
Men are more open to dating virgins than women, with 64 percent of men compared to 45 percent of women expressing willingness, reflecting an almost 20 percent difference.
The study suggests that women may be more cautious about dating virgins, while men may perceive it as a non-issue.
The researchers emphasize that virginity spans multiple generations, demonstrating that the trend of sexual abstinence is not confined to teenagers and college-aged individuals but is also prevalent among those in their late 20s and 30s.
“This finding reflects a growing trend of sexual abstinence among younger adults,” the study notes.
It adds that “many young Americans may be opting to delay their sexual experiences due to a range of socioeconomic factors, such as mental health, changing values, economic pressures, or a re-prioritization of relationships.”