Insights April 2nd, 2020

Future of Life in America – Sex and Social Distancing is explored in a new study by Intensions Consulting, a market research firm, and futurist Nikolas Badminton that looked at the Future of Life in America.

Sex and social distancing

On the topic of sex and relationships, the study found that younger Americans were more likely to embrace virtual and online forms of intimacy. Among those aged 16 to 29, over a quarter (29 per cent) said they would like to have virtual (VR) sex in the future, and 22 per cent said they would like to be in a relationship that is entirely online in the future.

According to Black, “many young Americans have expressed interest in alternative forms of intimacy, such as virtual sex or entirely online relationships, that do not require any physical contact with a partner. As such, this period of social distancing could provide the perfect setting for them to explore their digital desires.”

Intensions Consulting: Y ounger Americans were more likely to embrace virtual and online forms of intimacy.

The study also found that American men were more likely to express interest in virtual and online forms of intimacy. Among American males, a quarter (25 per cent) said they would like to have virtual (VR) sex in the future (compared to only 10 per cent of American females), and 20 per cent said they would like to be in a relationship that’s entirely online in the future (compared to only 7 per cent of American females).

“There is an ongoing redefinition of intimacy through the use of social networks, dating apps, online chat and texting as primary modes of communication early in relationships. Distance is becoming standard with in-person attraction coming second to the online clout of potential partners. We can look to Japan as a bellwethers of the effects – reduced real relationships, falling birthrates and aging populations,” said Badminton

About the Future of Life study

These are findings from an Intensions Consulting study conducted between January 20, 2020, and January 28, 2020. For this study a 20-minute online survey was administered with a sample of 2,025 United States residents aged 16 years and older. The sample was stratified by gender, age, and region, to ensure that the sample’s composition reflected the underlying distribution of the population as determined by Census data. A traditional probability sample of comparable size would have produced results considered accurate to within plus or minus 2.2 percentage points, 19 times out of 20.

For more information on this study, please contact Nikolas.

About Intensions Consulting

Intensions Consulting Inc., is a market research company headquartered in Vancouver, Canada. We use statistics and psychology to find hidden insights and market opportunities for clients across North-America, Europe, and the Asia-Pacific region. Our research findings have been published in numerous peer-reviewed journals, and have been quoted by news organizations including the BBC, CBC, Daily Mail, and Toronto Star.

About Nikolas Badminton

Nikolas Badminton is a world-renowned futurist, speaker, and media celebrity. He leads the team Exponential Minds, an expert advisory firm that helps trillion-dollar companies, progressive governments and media shift their mindset from “what is” to “WHAT IF…” The result is empowered employees, new innovative products and incredible growth that leads to more revenues and a more resilient future.

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Nikolas Badminton

Nikolas Badminton is the Chief Futurist of the Futurist Think Tank. He is world-renowned futurist speaker, a Fellow of The RSA (FRSA), a media personality, and has worked with over 400 of the world’s most impactful companies to establish strategic foresight capabilities, identify trends shaping our world, help anticipate unforeseen risks, and design equitable futures for all. In his new book – ‘Facing Our Futures’ – he challenges short-term thinking and provides executives and organizations with the foundations for futures design and the tools to ignite curiosity, create a framework for futures exploration, and shift their mindset from what is to WHAT IF…

Contact Nikolas