The no-sex recession?
By Jason Buckland, Sympatico / MSN Finance
Like most people looking for a barometer on the latest recession, I turn to Larry Flynt.
With all the talk about percentage points and stock crashes and stimulus packages, what seems to be most on people’s minds – but not their lips – is how the downturn will affect their sex life.
There are some notable, if conflicting, reports out there on sex during the recession, including this story which quotes the Hustler magazine founder offering his take on the world’s collective libido.
“With all this economic misery and people losing all that money,” Flynt says, “sex is the farthest thing from their mind.”
That gem led me to do some research on the issue, and it seems no one can make up their mind.
Consumer Reports magazine doesn’t appear to agree with the porn mogul, at least. Its recent survey of 1,000 adults showed 79% of people haven’t let their personal finances affect the frequency of sex. Even 5% of participants admitted they were now having sex more often.
But that same poll also shows 81% of people have avoided hopping-on-the-good-foot at least once in the past year, “usually because of exhaustion, illness or just not being in the mood,” according to Fox News. Many other reports carry that trend further, saying those are the precise reasons for the drop in sex this recession.
Renowned sex therapist Dr. Ruth Westheimer – the 80-year-old is the “Sister Wendy of sexuality,” notes Wikipedia – says “this economic tsunami is going to have a negative effect not only in the boardroom but in the bedroom too.”
A New Zealand study sides with Westheimer, too, completely flipping the Consumer Reports survey on its head. It shows more than 80% will not have more sex this year compared to last, even going so far as to suggest fewer couples are having children and more people are putting off marriage.
No one knows exactly how the economy affects the bedroom, but we’re guessing the impact isn’t that catastrophic. Stress is bound to pop-up – pun intended – as an issue every once in a while, yet it’s highly unlikely Canada is going to uniformly turn into Meryl Streep’s character from Doubt just like that.
Posted by: Bart Tecter | Mar 5, 2022 10:10:34 AM
Stress will kill a lot of things BUT, sex has always been a good way to relieve stress and when one looks at the economics of it all, is a very viable alternative in a recession. Dinners out cost money, movies cost money, golf costs money, vacations cost money. Snuggling in bed, maybe a glass of not too expensive wine, a few candles, a nice romantic movie on the TV and making love before falling asleep sounds like a GREAT bargin in a recession (or any time for that matter). Sex relieves stress, makes you healthier, is good exercise and an evening like this might even help lower the electric bill and therefore carbon emissions. You may even be hellping to save the planet! Who could possibly say no to that?
Posted by: Married | Mar 5, 2022 10:25:18 AM
To Bart - you obviously are not married... (in response to 'Who could possibly say no to that?')
Posted by: Married2 | Mar 5, 2022 10:56:27 AM
LOL, hey I go with the Hustler mogul. Maybe his models are telling hiim something we all need to hear? From the sound of this article I've been suffering the effects of that economic tsunami for about a year now! And yes, I am married! Ditto on Married's comment! I think the New Zealanders and Hustler founder have got it right!
Posted by: eaufemme | Mar 5, 2022 11:24:24 AM
“With all this economic misery and people losing all that money,” Flynt says, “sex is the farthest thing from their mind.”
I would say for some - stress causes them to be more inclined to sexual activity for others like me stress shuts everything down. Since I was laid off in Oct 2008 & my partner in Sept 2008 my interest in sex has rapidly declined - too worried about finances, lack of job, significantly reduced income and EI finished at end of April. Job prospects look pretty slim where I live. Most of the job postings around here are for min wage in food or retail with only part time hours. I suppose if nothing else comes along before EI runs out I'll have to take it.