In an essay for USA Today, relationship therapist and author Dr. Laura Berman wrote that there appears to be a “return to chastity” among young adults in the United States. She notes that based on research, casual sex has been “steadily” declining in recent years and she attempts to credit the overturning of Roe v. Wade with that trend while simultaneously stating that the beginning of the decline pre-dates the COVID-19 shutdowns — which means it predates the fall of Roe.
The decline in casual sex
Research published by Rutgers University-New Brunswick in March 2021 revealed that between 2007 and 2017 the percentage of 18- to 23-year-old men who had casual sex in the previous month dropped from 38% to 24%. For women of the same age range, the percentage dropped from 31% to 22%. The research found that casual sex has been declining for both young men and young women, reportedly due to less alcohol consumption among both genders. However, young men say video games and living at home with their parents have also been contributing factors.
According to Berman, the influence of Dry January and the “sober curious” movement along with an increased interest in ‘mocktails’ may be contributing to changing trends in alcohol consumption among young adults. Less alcohol to blur a person’s judgment leads to less casual sex.
Casual sex regret
In addition, a 2022 study found that 46% of women and 23% of men actually regret having casual sex. The influence of media and culture have made it appear as though casual sex carries no harm to young people, and is simply recreational. Planned Parenthood has long promoted the idea of casual sex. Its school sex ed programs are being geared to younger and younger children, even including assignments on ‘sexual fantasies‘ and spreading the false notion that teens should be encouraged to have sex with whomever, whenever. Casual sex among young people can increase Planned Parenthood’s revenue through birth control, STD testing and treatment, and… when that birth control fails… abortion.
Yet about half of women regret casual sex. Berman states, “This all goes to show that some young people have concluded that ‘hooking up’ isn’t real intimacy.”
Regardless of access to birth control or abortion, casual sex carries both physical and emotional repercussions. College students, especially women, report greater depressive symptoms and low self-esteem than those who don’t take part in casual sex. For men, three months after a casual hookup that may or may not involve intercourse, they show signs of lower self-esteem, severe depression, and higher anxiety. Perhaps the young adults of today are beginning to realize that casual sex does not make them truly fulfilled or happy.
Blaming Dobbs
Despite the results and timing of research, Berman attempts to link the decline in casual sex and regret of casual sex to Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization and the overturning of Roe v. Wade. It’s a failed attempt to paint Dobbs as bad for women, blaming their sexual regret on the increase in pro-life laws meant to protect children from abortion after being conceived ‘by accident.’ But the study showing that about half of women regret casual sex was published in February 2022, three months before the Dobbs draft decision indicating the possible overturn of Roe was leaked, and four months before Roe was actually overturned.
And the research revealing the decline in casual sex was published in March 2021 — more than a full year before Dobbs was handed down. That research began in 2007 and concluded in 2017 — well before there was even a remote indication that the Supreme Court could move to strike down Roe.
Women aren’t regretting casual sex or saying no to casual sex at higher rates because they can’t access abortion, but because they are making better life choices. Being more responsible for one’s own actions leads to further responsibility for one’s actions.
