Across generations: How 3 generations compare on matters of sexual freedom & health


Written by Mr Khanya Sishi

June, 8, 2022

I grew up in the 1990s, attended high school in the 2000s, and lived through my 20s in the 2010s. Being a Millennial places me right between the GenXers, who were raised by Baby Boomers, and GenZs who were raised by YouTube. Although these generations overlap in existence, their attitudes on numerous issues often diverge starkly. 

Boomers tend to be conservative and traditional. They are big on stability (both in career and personal life), tertiary education, and staying married regardless of circumstance is ‘stereotypically’ Boomers. GenZ comparatively have tossed this trend. Many work in fields that don’t require any formal education, have children at a later stage in life (if at all), co-habit without marriage, and are a lot more willing to divorce than stay in long-term unhappy marriages and jobs. 

The differences are also evident when it comes to attitudes towards sexual freedoms and openness to engage conversations about sexuality. A PEW study found that Baby Boomers were perceived to be less accepting of queer bodies than GenZs and Millenials. Perhaps Boomers keep to ‘traditional values and attitudes’ and I’d like to suggest that this is not necessarily because it is what they want, but because of social pressure of ‘what will people say, if I accept the ‘new age gospel?’. 

Contrastingly, Millennials and GenZs find themselves in a society that has moved towards being more accepting of difference and encouraging freedom of expression and self-identification. The advent of MTV, YouTube and other interactive social media forms has aided this transition. However, that is not to say there is no homophobia, sexism, racism, and other rights violations. Rather, it is to note that generally society is more liberal.

A more accepting society definitely has some pros for sexual and reproductive health – and even more so for mental health.  Due to decreased shame and societal pressure, more people are honest with friends and family about their sexual lifestyle. This has led to more information exchange about safe sexual practices. It has also helped with the mental health of individuals. As society accepts its members’ honesty, more people are inclined to be their true selves. Which is a win for one’s self-esteem.

The values we are raised on have an impact on our sexual and mental health. Each generation tends to have a rather particular pattern that distinguishes it from other generations. Regardless of our generational lean, it is still the individual’s responsibility to choose the values that best work for them and allow others to choose for themselves without shame or oppression.

References:                                                                                                     

  1. Image – https://pin.it/UKH38ra 
  2. Barroso, A., Parker, K., and Bennett,J. 2020. As Millennials Near 40,They’re Approaching Family Life Differently Than Previous Generations. https://www.pewresearch.org/social-trends/2020/05/27/as-millennials-near-40-theyre-approaching-family-life-differently-than-previous-generations/.
  3. Parker, K., and Igielnik, R. 2020. On the Cusp of Adulthood and Facing an Uncertain Future: What We Know About Gen Z So Far. https://www.pewresearch.org/social-trends/2020/05/14/on-the-cusp-of-adulthood-and-facing-an-uncertain-future-what-we-know-about-gen-z-so-far-2/.
  4. PEW Research Centre, 2019. Defining generations: where millennials end and Generation Z begins. https://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2019/01/17/where-millennials-end-and-generation-z-begins/ft_19-01-17_generations_2019/.

Ubusha Bami futhi yimi lo – My youth and this is me! © 7 June 2022

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