Gen Z boldly redefine casual sex and safe contraception amidst the condom dilemma

A man holding a condom. [iStockphoto]

In an era of dating apps and evolving social norms, Gen Z is rewriting the rulebook on sexual health—and not necessarily for the better. A recent Global Health Report reveals a troubling trend: as casual sexual encounters become more commonplace among this demographic, condom use is increasingly seen as an afterthought.

This shift in attitude comes with potentially serious consequences. Many young adults, it seems, are opting to deal with the aftermath of unprotected sex rather than taking preventative measures.

From sexually transmitted infections (STIs) to unplanned pregnancies, the repercussions of this cavalier approach to safe sex are beginning to manifest in health clinics and doctors’ offices across the country.

The 2023 Comprehensive Agency Report on Condoms and Lubricants, released in May 2024, paints a concerning picture of sexual health practices among young adults.

According to the report, condom usage rates among Gen Z have dropped to alarming levels, with only 45 per cent of sexually active individuals in this age group reporting consistent condom use during casual encounters.

This marks a stark contrast to previous generations: Millennials reported a 65 per cent rate of consistent condom use during their young adult years, while Gen X boasted a robust 78 per cent usage rate during the height of the HIV/AIDS crisis.

The proportion of sexually active adolescents who used a condom during their last intercourse fell from 70 per cent to 61 per cent among boys and from 63 per cent to 57 per cent among girls between 2014 and 2022.

For many in Gen Z, condoms are seen as an inconvenience rather than a necessity. Emmah, 24, exemplifies this shift in attitude: “For me, condoms make me itchy. I don’t like using them because it’s uncomfortable. Unless it’s really necessary, like being intimate with someone whose status I’m not sure about, I wouldn’t risk it.”

This sentiment is echoed by Jane, who is not married: “Condoms are uncomfortable. They make me itch down there. I use ‘Pull and Pray’ instead.”

Contraceptive Options

The availability of various contraceptive options has contributed to a decreased concern about the consequences of unprotected sex. As Emmah puts it, “If you had sex and don’t want to get pregnant, you run and get the pills. If you don’t want to get infected, you run and get the pill.” This mentality of dealing with consequences after the fact has become more prevalent.

Despite being a critical tool for preventing sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and unplanned pregnancies, condom use continues to decline, particularly among young people between the ages of 15 and 29 years.

The decline in condom use isn’t limited to any one country or region. Global statistics paint a similar picture: in the United States, condom use among 15- to 24-year-olds dropped from 62 per cent in 2011 to 54 per cent in 2023.

The European Union reported a decline from 68 per cent to 59 per cent over the same period.

In sub-Saharan Africa, where condom use has been crucial in combating HIV, usage rates among young adults have stagnated at around 40 per cent despite ongoing public health campaigns.

Examples in Global Health’s findings reveal that in recent years, Kenya has witnessed a concerning decline in condom usage, with the rate dropping from four per cent in 2021 to a mere two per cent in 2022.

In 2022, over 400 million condoms were used in the country by various key population groups, unlike the previous year when usage was over a billion. Of these 400 million, 112 million were used by people aged 15 to 49 years, while 3.9 million were used by people aged 50 to 64 years.

Additionally, over 12 million condoms were used by couples using the product as a form of family planning. Other key populations, including people living with HIV, transgender people, and people who inject drugs, used over 265 million, over a million, and over 5 million condoms, respectively.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the target should be 40 condoms per man per year. However, in Kenya, the distribution is 14 condoms per man per year.

“Sex nowadays is so casual. You meet someone, you want to have sex with that person, and that’s it,” says Harry, 27. This casual approach has led to a decrease in fear surrounding HIV and pregnancy, which were once major deterrents to unprotected sex.

Indeed, the report indicates that only 23 per cent of Gen Z respondents consider HIV a “very serious” concern when engaging in casual sex, compared to 89 per cent of Gen X respondents and 67 per cent of Millennials.

Changing Social Norms

Similarly, the fear of unwanted pregnancy—once a primary driver of condom use—has diminished among Gen Z. With increased access to emergency contraception and long-acting reversible contraceptives (LARCs), many young adults view pregnancy as a manageable risk.

Cindy, a 22-year-old college student, explains, “If something goes wrong, I know I can get Plan B. It’s not ideal, but it feels like a safety net. Plus, a lot of my friends are on birth control anyway.”

The report corroborates this attitude, with only 35 per cent of Gen Z respondents listing pregnancy prevention as a “very important” reason for using condoms, compared to 72 per cent of Millennials and 81 per cent of Gen X respondents.

Ironically, the rise of casual sex culture—facilitated by dating apps and changing social norms—hasn’t led to increased condom use. Instead, it seems to have normalized a more cavalier attitude toward sexual health.

The report highlights this paradox: while 68 per cent of Gen Z respondents reported having had a casual sexual encounter in the past year, only 45 per cent consistently used condoms during these encounters.

Several factors contribute to Gen Z’s casual approach to condom use: diminished fear of HIV/AIDS and reduced pregnancy concerns, with increased access to emergency contraception and LARCs making pregnancy seem like a manageable risk.

Normalization of Casual Sex, Accessibility Issues

As one participant notes, “Would I buy a condom to go and have sex? Or would I buy a new dress to wear to that date?”

There’s also a persistent notion that men are primarily responsible for providing condoms. This creates a problematic situation, especially for young women in informal settlements who may lack information or access to protection.

Many young people are turning to other forms of contraception, such as injectable contraceptives, rather than relying on condoms. However, this shift doesn’t protect against STIs.

An interesting perspective suggests that young people getting into serious relationships or marriages earlier might contribute to decreased condom use. As one participant notes, “When you’re married, you don’t use protection.”

Contrary to expectations, some argue that casual sex might promote higher condom use.

“When you’re doing casual sex, you’re more prone to use protection compared to when you’re not in a serious relationship,” one Gen Z individual said.

A millennial observer points out that many NGOs are shifting focus from HIV/AIDS to other issues like climate change. This reduction in awareness campaigns and resources could be contributing to the decline in condom use among Gen Z.

While some young people are proactive about getting tested regularly, others rely on quick, potentially unreliable methods. Some Millennials report buying home testing kits from chemists, indicating a desire for privacy and convenience in sexual health management.

“We’re seeing a concerning disconnect between sexual activity and responsibility. There’s this belief among some Gen Z individuals that dealing with the consequences later is preferable to the perceived inconvenience of using protection in the moment,” says a 48-year-old millennial.

Advances in Sexual Health Technology and Pharmaceuticals

Advances in sexual health technology and pharmaceuticals have played a dual role in shaping Gen Z’s attitudes. While they’ve reduced some risks associated with unprotected sex, they’ve also created a false sense of security.

Sex Education

“PrEP (Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis) is a game-changer for HIV prevention, but it doesn’t protect against other STIs.”

The report found that 28 per cent of Gen Z PrEP users never use condoms, compared to just five per cent of Millennial PrEP users.

While advanced STI testing, rapid HPV vaccines, and dating apps often promote safe sex, they’ve also normalized casual encounters, potentially increasing overall risk exposure.

Despite growing up in an era of supposedly comprehensive sex education, many Gen Z individuals report feeling underprepared for the realities of sexual health management.

The report found that while 89 per cent of Gen Z respondents had received some form of sex education, only 34 per cent felt it adequately prepared them for real-world sexual situations. This gap suggests that current educational approaches may be failing to resonate with young adults.

Accessibility Issues

Another factor contributing to low condom use is accessibility. While condoms are more widely available than ever before, barriers still exist:

• Cost: Quality condoms can be expensive, especially for young adults on tight budgets.
• In informal settlements, economic pressures play a significant role in condom use. With quality condoms costing around Sh200, young people often prioritize other expenses.
• Many still feel uncomfortable buying condoms in person. Casual encounters often happen spontaneously, without prior preparation.

The report suggests that addressing these accessibility issues could significantly increase condom use among Gen Z.

The decline in condom use among Gen Z has not gone unnoticed by public health officials. The report warns of potential consequences if this trend continues.

Despite efforts to reduce stigma, it still exists around sexual health. Some people claim they can “diagnose” potential partners visually, leading to risky behaviour. Additionally, there’s a lack of comprehensive sex education, with schools often focusing solely on pregnancy as a consequence of unprotected sex.

Public health officials warn of potential consequences if this trend continues, such as rising STI rates, antibiotic resistance, unplanned pregnancies, and increased cases of gender-based violence.

Phoebe Malumbe, Youth Advocate at LVCT Health, highlights the need for increased awareness and accessibility.

“There’s been a decline in free condoms in the country for some time now, making them inaccessible to young people. This leads to condoms losing popularity amongst the population.”

Malumbe also notes a concerning attitude among some youth, “Use of condoms is perceived as a form of lack of trust amongst the generation. A young person once told us, ‘Why should I use a condom with my partner?’”

To address these issues, Malumbe calls for awareness creation on the importance of condom use, embracing combination prevention, which includes condoms and other preventive methods like PrEP, Condom distribution at high-profile events, dissemination of information through social media platforms and provision of a toll-free line for queries on condom use should also be prioritised.