When it comes to sex and relationships, the pandemic is creating a situation where people are either living in close proximity (possibly with partners, children or other family members) or are limited in their opportunities to find partners for prolonged periods of time. These circumstances can directly impact our intimacy.
A recent online survey found that a majority of participants in a sample of 1,559 adults reported a decline in the quality of their sex lives (43.5 percent) during the COVID-19 pandemic, while only a minority reported improvements (13.6 percent). Interestingly, however, despite people reporting a decrease in the frequency of sexual behaviours compared to the past year, one in five individuals (20.3 percent) added at least one new activity to their sex life, such as a new sexual position, incorporating pornography or engaging in cybersex. Compared to people who made no change, those who spiced things up were more likely to report improvements in their sex life since the beginning of the pandemic.
"As the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene says: 'You are your safest sex partner.'"
Journal Reference:
Less Sex, but More Sexual Diversity: Changes in Sexual Behavior during the COVID-19 Coronavirus Pandemic, Leisure Sciences (DOI: 10.1080/01490400.2020.1774016)
(Score: 3, Interesting) by hendrikboom on Thursday July 16 2020, @09:03PM
As I'm noticing after my wife died a year ago. And it's even harder during coronavirus lockdown. I'm 73 and I estimate that if I catch this disease I'll have a 10% chance of dying. So it's death versus meeting people.
I have children. The one that used to visit is now avoiding me because her job puts her at risk for catching coronavirus and thus giving it to me if she were to visit asymptomatically. She says she couldn't live with herself if that happened.
I appreciate that; I also miss her.
-- hendrik