Has the number of celibates risen in the U.S. in recent years?

Question

I'm not talking about very religious people. I mean normal folks.

I have a pretty wide variety of friends and acquaintances and it appears to me that a larger number of them are celibate than used to be the case. Straight, bi, g*y - they are of all orientations. Yes, there was a little dip in the 1980s with the AIDS scare, but that smoothed out soon enough. But it appears to have risen again.

These are intelligent, personable people, in several cases VERY good-looking folks. There wouldn't be any problem, at least no apparent one, that would prevent them from attracting a partner(s). Yet they don't have any sexual relationships.

Has the number really gone up, or is it just my perception? If it has, why? Has the level of social isolation increased?

Is something going on that I don't see?

What leads a person to deliberately divorce themselves from, or to allow circumstances to keep them from, so basic a part of the human experience?

I wasn't sure if this is the proper category - please excuse me if you think it isn't. I KNOW that the one the Yahoo 'bot suggested is wrong - this isn't a matter for Earth Sciences & Geology!

Answer 1

Some men have probably decided that all the c**p that goes with the shag isn't worth it

Answer 2

I am celibate :) ( not religious )

Answer 3

I think there have always been asexual people.   I read this the other day:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/26161185/

Can you imagine being married for 23 YEARS and never having had s*x>>

Answer 4

Well, I ain't getting any, but it's not entirely by choice.

Answer 5

It's your group of friends probably.

You are a smart cat, your friends are probably smart.  Smart people don't like to shag stupid people, 'cause it feels kinda wrong.  It's like dating someone with a congenital defect of the brain.  Smart people just don't have a very big population of potential mates to draw from.

I haven't been on a date for 2 years.  I can't find anyone that is engaging.  The people I meet don't know anything, and don't care.  I can see how some people look celibate.  I am not celibate for any reason other than an inability to find a respectable mate.  Your friends may be like me.

Answer 6

If you mean as in "sell a bit" here, "sell a bit" there, I'd say yes.

Answer 7

I have heard that there is something therapeutic about it.  

Answer 8

NO

Answer 9

Then feminism has failed. The third wave preached s*x without attachment.