In an age seemingly dominated by hook-up culture and dating apps, it seems rather bizarre to speak of the decline of sex. Yet statistics overwhelmingly show that we are having less sex; a trend most prevalent amongst the younger generation. But what explains this phenomenon? And is the decline in sex necessarily a cause for concern? At HowTheLightGetsIn festival London 2022, Zoe Strimpel, Myriam François and Louise Perry debated the paradox of sexual liberation.

We are more open about sex than ever before. No topic too outrageous to discuss. No concern too personal to share. The sexual revolution of the ‘60s and ‘70s opened the floodgates for a new culture of sexual plenty, and in many ways we have never been more liberated. Yet at the same time, surveys paint a surprising picture of the current state of sex. In the US, the number of people having no sex in the last decade has risen by over 20%. [1]

So how do we make sense of this jarring paradox? Some may argue that this openness, whilst raising important questions regarding safety and consent, has also eradicated the magic and mystery of sex. Others may argue that the issue lies not so much with our openness to discussing sex, but rather with the other symptoms of our culture; internet pornography and sex toys, for instance, which have provided alternative ways to fulfil our desires.