Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen recently stated that an economic recession is “not inevitable,” but inflation remains “unacceptably high.” While the hope is that we can all stay afloat, many remain skeptical that we’ll be able to avoid an economic plunge. Of course, we already know that can’t be good for our wallets, but what about our sex lives?
Could an economic recession possibly turn into a (gasp) sex recession? Let’s explore the possibilities and how to keep things spicy should the worst happen.
Sexual Activity Was Already on the Decline
Believe it or not, sexual activity is declining in the United States. In a recent article, Insider notes that Gen Zers and millennials are having less sex than ever before, thanks in no small part to social media. From 2008 to 2018, the share of Americans ages 18 to 29 who reported having no sex doubled. That said, it turns out that sexual activity is declining for all age groups, not just younger people. The average American now reports having sex approximately 54 times per year compared to 62 times per year in previous decades. Moreover, according to General Social Survey data, nearly one in four US adults reported having no sex during the past year.
As for why people aren’t having sex as much as they used to, it’s anyone’s guess. However, it’s fair to say that social scientists and others are interested in the potential root causes of this trend. While pandemic fatigue is likely one reason, another suggestion is that economic stability contributes to declining sexual activity worldwide.
Combating an Old Theory
The idea that economic uncertainty leads to people having less sex is not universally accepted. In fact, many claim it works the other way around. They say that people are more likely to have sex when the economy is in bad shape because it’s a free form of entertainment and relief. Besides that, they claim that unemployed people have more time on their hands, which may also lead them to engage in more sexual activity with a partner. So, is this true, or do other theories that point in the opposite direction make more sense?
Birth Rates Stay Flat or Decrease During Recessions
An in-depth look at the economic data shows that birth rates across 15 European Union countries flat-lined or even declined during the most recent recessions. If you scale things back a bit further, you can see a significant drop in the number of children per woman during the Great Depression. There was a steep drop-off as the depression took hold, but then rates steadily climbed again after the depression began to ease. This suggests that sexual activity during tough economic times may also decline considerably.
Some may look at this and conclude that couples choose to avoid having children when economic times are bad because they simply can’t afford it. That’s a reasonable conclusion, but it may still have some flaws. The thing is, people don’t often think rationally when making decisions about their fertility and if they want to have children or not. So instead, another theory regarding depression and sadness may be more likely in this instance.
Emotional Issues May Cause Couples to Have Less Sex
Stress, anxiety, and depression are all possible outcomes when discussing what it’s like to go through particularly challenging economic times. It may not be the right way to go about things, but many people can’t help but put themselves in that mindset. Thus, their emotional state may be somewhat depressed when they try to take care of even the most basic functions of their lives.
When depression takes hold, it’s challenging for most people to even think about trying to have a normal sex life. They’ve entered a spiral that might prove incredibly challenging to pull themselves out of. Of course, this is from ideal, and most people admit that it’s NOT where they want to find themselves emotionally. However, it likely explains at least some of the drop-off in sexual activity among adults during economic turmoil.
How to Keep Your Sex Life From Taking a Hit
You have no control over what the economy is doing, and watching the market’s ups and downs will only make you more anxious. So instead, focus on the things you can control, like staying active on your Adult FriendFinder account.
If you have a partner, talking with them about the impacts that a shift in the economy may have on your finances and future together is a great place to start. It might not be the most pleasant conversation, but you need to address the elephant in the room, so the effects don’t trickle down into the bedroom. It may even bring the two of you closer together from an emotional standpoint, and that alone makes it worthwhile.
Either way, there are still plenty of sexy times to be had no matter what’s happening in the world!
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