‘No Hard Feelings,’ Jennifer Lawrence, 2023.
Macall Polay / © Sony Pictures Entertainment / Courtesy Everett Collection
No sex please, we’re Gen Z.
A groundbreaking study conducted by UCLA has revealed that the younger generation, specifically American viewers between the ages of 10 and 24, are expressing a desire for less sexual content in films and TV shows.
The study, based on the responses of 1,500 participants, found that 51 percent of them expressed a preference for content focused on platonic relationships and friendships, while 47.5 percent believed that sex is not necessary in most media and 44 percent felt that romance is overused. In a surprising turn, 44 percent of participants stated that they would rather clean the toilet than go on an online date.
A remarkable finding from the study was that the majority of respondents (56 percent) preferred original stories over franchises, adaptations, and remakes, showing similarities between younger and older viewers.
Other findings from the study include:
— Strong dislike for racial stereotypes in shows, with any depiction of a person of color as a villain or with negative traits being particularly disliked.
— Gen Z considers social media to be the most authentic platform for media consumption, with TikTok being hailed as the epitome of authenticity (despite concerns about misinformation).
— Their favorite themes in stories are “hopeful, uplifting content with people beating the odds” and “people with lives like my own.”
Recent years have witnessed a decline in sexual activity among young adults, especially in Gen Z. According to Psychology Today, this generation is having sex less frequently and with fewer partners compared to previous generations, with young men being particularly affected. Interestingly, Gen Z adults are reporting lower rates of sexual activity compared to those in their 30s and 40s.
The release of Jennifer Lawrence’s comedy film No Hard Feelings on Netflix has sparked a debate on social media about the necessity of her nude scene, further highlighting the evolving attitudes towards sexual content among younger viewers.
