“It has been less than sixty years since the act of facilitating illicit sexual encounters—known in German as *Kuppelei*—was rigorously punished in West Germany. This affected everyone from landlords providing shelter to unmarried couples to parents who did not forbid their live-at-home children from engaging in "immoral acts"—regardless of whether those children were of legal age. Since then, the fight for sexual liberation has been waged—and won—on many fronts. Sex is no longer tethered to marriage. Instead of repression and strict sexual morality, the focus has shifted to sex education, particularly among young people.
Given this context, it is initially surprising that young people today are having their first sexual experiences much later than they did just a few years ago. This applies to everything from kissing to losing their virginity—despite the freedoms they often enjoy today.
Why is this the case?
There are several reasons for this, which primarily shed light on the changing conditions under which young people grow up today. For one thing, their daily lives are more tightly scheduled; furthermore, especially since the coronavirus pandemic, a large portion of their leisure time has shifted to the digital world. This makes it difficult for many to meet the right partner for these initial shared experiences—experiences for which many desire a committed relationship. Indeed, this desire for stability and security is a defining characteristic of young people today; they are less inclined to take risks, seeking a sense of groundedness—presumably as a counter-balance to the many crises and uncertainties they have witnessed in recent years.
When evaluating this trend, two fundamental questions arise: How do young people experience their first sexual encounters? And do they possess sufficient knowledge of—and access to—contraceptives?
There is good news on both counts. First, the majority of young people continue to state that they experienced their "first time" at exactly the right moment. Experts—such as developmental psychologist Karina Weichold from Jena—observe that young people today are increasingly prioritizing their physical and mental health; they are consciously incorporating these aspects into their actions. Furthermore, girls and young women are approaching their sexuality with a greater sense of self-determination. In recent years, the question of active consent to sexual acts has moved to the forefront of public debate—the principle that "only yes means yes." This is also reflected in social media trends, where girls and young women frequently encourage one another to explore their own desires and boundaries and to assert them; after all, saying "no" is also an expression of sexual freedom. Secondly, evidence shows that many young people use reliable forms of contraception. Only a small fraction experiences their first sexual encounter unprotected. The number of teenage pregnancies has been declining for years; sex education programs and an open approach to young people's sexuality are evidently proving effective.
These positive developments should not be taken for granted; indeed, they should be further strengthened. Schools are an ideal setting for this, as sex education is already part of the curriculum. An overwhelming majority of young people already cite school as a key source of information, and its importance in this regard has recently grown.
For one thing, schools can create spaces for personal interaction—opportunities for connection that young people have lost as they retreat into the digital world. For another, schools can respond flexibly to what young people experience online. Trends can shift rapidly. Alongside feminist-oriented content regarding sexual self-determination on social media, one also finds influencers who spread problematic portrayals of sexuality, suggesting that women ought to be sexually available to men. Body ideals are promoted that can leave young people feeling insecure. The downsides of the online world also include the receipt of unsolicited pornography. AI makes it easy to create and disseminate nude images of others—as the recent case involving Collien Fernandes demonstrates. Young people need reliable contacts to turn to regarding all these issues.
Of course, parents can fill this role. However, schools also reach young people whose families handle the topic more restrictively. For even if the decision regarding whom their child is allowed to meet in their free time is for parents, sooner or later, all young people will have sexual experiences—if nowhere else, then online. They experience freedom when they can do so in an informed, self-determined manner and have the confidence to set boundaries. Sex education offers protection—not only against unwanted pregnancies or diseases but also against abuse and assault.” [1]
Less sex, lower number of families, dying out nations and cultures. “These positive developments should not be taken for granted; indeed, they should be further strengthened.” Positive for whom – people who sell furniture?
1. Eine neue sexuelle Revolution. Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung; Frankfurt. 21 Mar 2026: 1. Von Julia Anton
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