09/21/2025
📉 Americans are Having Less S//x
A growing body of research reveals a major cultural shift: fewer Americans are having partnered play than ever before. Studies show that only 37% of U.S. adults report weekly intimacy, a steep drop from 55% in 1990. This recession isn’t just about numbers...it’s about connection, fertility, and emotional health.
🔹 Gen Z adults are leading the decline. One in four say they’ve never had partnered intimacy, with young men reporting even higher rates (1 in 3).
🔹 Living alone is rising. From 2014 to 2024, the number of 18–29 year olds cohabiting dropped from 42% to 32%, reducing opportunities for connection.
🔹 Even married couples are affected. In the 1990s, 59% of married adults reported weekly intimacy; today, that number is only 49%.
Experts cite digital habits, smartphones, social media, and streaming as key contributors. More scrolling means fewer dates, more content but less touch. Add to this declining testosterone levels, pandemic-related disruptions, and shifting fertility patterns, and the impact is far-reaching.
Sociologists warn this isn’t just cultural...it’s demographic. The U.S. fertility rate has dropped to 1.6 births per woman, far below the 2.1 replacement level needed to sustain population growth. When desire and physical closeness decline, we risk losing not only intimacy, but the rituals of touch, affection, and attention that build strong families, partnerships, and communities.
This isn’t just about “fun.” It’s about the future of relationships, family systems, reproductive health, and social connection in America.
👉 Ready to explore how intimacy and relationships are evolving, and how professionals can help? Take SHA’s free quiz to discover your path in therapy, coaching, counseling, and education: https://bit.ly/3QPZi8r
