patrick.net

http://www.cnn.com/2017/07/19/health/americans-less-sex-kerner/index.html

According to a recent study published in the Archives of Sexual Behavior, a large general social survey found that American adults had sex about nine fewer times per year in the early 2010s than they did in the late 1990s, a decline that wasn't explained by longer work hours or increased use of pornography.

"A lot of parents feel like they've already done about 50 things they didn't want to do that day, like getting up at dawn, dealing with their child's tantrums. Adding sex to the menu just seems like too much," said Samantha Lutz, a psychologist. "So we turn to things like Netflix to unwind, which leads to immediate gratification with zero energy expended."

Parents also seem to be much more involved with their children's lives than in the past. "Parents are constantly driving their children to school and extracurricular activities," said Amanda Pasciucco, a licensed marriage and family therapist. In previous years, children had more freedom and fewer organized activities, which meant more free time for their parents.

Eric Marlowe Garrison, a certified sexuality counselor, agreed. "We're seeing more helicopter parenting, which is zapping energy that could go toward sex and other sensual activities."

But has the marriage advantage become a disadvantage?

We don't know if indeed the 'marriage advantage' is now a 'disadvantage,' " said Debby Herbenick, president of the American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors and Therapists, "in part because so many other things have changed about sex and health in America in recent decades, including far more Americans taking medications with sexual side effects, far more Americans dealing with chronic health conditions -- like diabetes -- known to affect sex, and millions more Americans surviving cancer -- which is wonderful -- but often with sexual side effects from cancer treatments. An important question for future research would be, all else being equal (including health status), how does marital status relate to people's sex lives?"

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