Losing Sex Drive, Says Japanese Report
Aha! “Another sexless society!” said I, when I saw the news that over 36% of young Japanese men aged 16 to 19 had little or no interest in sex — more than double the results of a survey just two years ago.
Sean Christopher
Aha! “Another sexless society!” said I, when I saw the news that over 36% of young Japanese men aged 16 to 19 had little or no interest in sex — more than double the results of a survey just two years ago.
Surprising Who Isn’t Interested in Sex
What 17-year-old isn’t interested in sex? A Japanese one I guess. What startled me, even more, is that the ultimate concern of the Japanese government isn’t the psychological and social well-being of the people, but rather a declining Japanese population.
Japanese birth rate is currently 1.37 births per woman, one of the world’s lowest.
Clearly, the sexless trend has some serious economic implications for the workforce and product consumption. The greater question though is what is happening to the mind of society? Doesn’t a nation that does not have sex demonstrate some kind of value shift? Doesn’t a nation going sexless reflect a change in the essence of its relationships?
The study revealed some other interesting facts. Over 40% of married Japanese people surveyed didn’t have sex in the past month. Nearly half of marrieds over 40 didn’t have sex in the past month. Some attribute their lacking libido to a hard day at work. Others blame childbirth, and still, others just don’t want to be bothered with sex.
The survey results may be a reflection of a very industrious Japanese society with high importance on company loyalty, hard work, and long hours. Little time and energy are left for cultivating close, sexual relationships.
Twixt Sex and Priorities
Is it possible that there is a correlation between the world’s attention to a sexual life with the amount of leisure time? Consider sex frequency compared to minimum vacation days by country.
Russia: 80% have weekly sex; 27 minimum annual vacation days
Italy: 76% have weekly sex; 20 minimum annual vacation days
France: 70% have weekly sex; 30 minimum annual vacation days
Germany: 68% have weekly sex; 20 minimum annual vacation days
UK: 55% have weekly sex; 20 minimum annual vacation days
USA: 53% have weekly sex; No minimum annual vacation days
Japan: 34% have weekly sex; 10 minimum annual vacation days
A nation needs a solid culture of leisure in order to maintain lively relationships with family, friends, and community. Clearly, sex is a key ingredient in those relationships. Let’s look at our European friends for some clues as to how to awaken the sexual life that is key to our very national survival.
Drop me a note in the comments below!
Feature Image: Phil Date | Dreamstime.com
Well, Sir, You delivered a great deal of material about sex; activities; methods; language and much else, but unmentioned was celibacy, chastity, and abstinence in priestly orders, mystics, saints and such. I am wagging my prudish, or hypocritical finger at you, but why didn’t you touch on alternative approaches or retreats from sexual practices? Cordially, Robert W. Foy.R
Thanks so much for your comment! Yes, chastity, abstinence as well as asexuality are great discussions and there is a lot to be said. These topics fill out the more presenting thoughts on sexuality. Things most folk never think about. Ah, but I have lots of disk space. I will write! Thanks for the finger wag!