Over the past two decades, something quietly shifted in American intimacy — and most people barely noticed it happening.

In this episode, we explore a large-scale U.S. study tracking sexual activity among adults aged 18 to 44 between 2000 and 2018. The data reveals a clear trend: sexual inactivity increased, especially among young men — while frequent, weekly intimacy declined even among married adults.

But this isn’t a sensational story.

It’s about understanding what the data actually shows — and what it might be telling us about stress, economic pressure, changing relationship patterns, and the environment surrounding intimacy in modern life.

We break down:

Why young men experienced the largest increase in sexual inactivity

How relationship status and employment are connected to intimacy trends

Why this shift doesn’t mean people “lost interest” in sex

And what declining intimacy might mean for confidence, mental health, and long-term relationships

This episode is a calm, evidence-based look at a topic often reduced to headlines or online arguments. Instead of panic or nostalgia, we focus on clarity, nuance, and the human side of social change.

Behind every statistic is a real person — navigating dating, loneliness, expectations, and connection in a world that looks very different from the one we grew up in.

If you’ve ever wondered why dating feels harder, why intimacy seems more complicated, or why so many young adults feel disconnected despite constant digital contact, this conversation offers context — not judgment.

You can find the full research study and supporting material via the link shared in our Telegram for listeners who want to explore the data in more depth.

Thank you for listening.

If you want to explore the full research paper, you can read it here: