There’s no denying that we live in a different world from what it was just a couple of decades ago. Social stigmas and taboos are far less important these days, which makes modern generations much more progressive and liberal. Some studies claim that only two-thirds of young people identify as straight. Why is this?
Sexually Fluid Generation
Unlike before, only 66% of kids today say they’re heterosexual or of traditional gender. This percentage is extreme even if you compare it with the generation before (Millennials) — not to mention Gen X and Baby Boomers. Of course, we’re talking about kids in the West because the social climate varies from culture to culture. Nevertheless, these results are pretty interesting.
Some would argue that at the root of this phenomenon is the LGBTQ community. Their point is that ever since the late ’60s and the Stonewall riots, every generation has become much more liberal and free to explore their sexual identities. There’s no doubt that those events did have a part to play in this phenomenon. From pop culture to everyday life, diversity has become a staple of First World countries.
It’s certainly easier being queer nowadays than it was back then. The bigotry and hateful rhetoric of elders seem to be losing the battle, and kids are more inclined to pursue their happiness no matter who they are. Sure, there will always be some sort of opposition to progressive values, but it won’t alter the tide of change. The umbrella of the LGBTQ community is big enough to cover all sorts of social groups, making it a safe place for almost everyone.
The Reason Behind It
Although we’d like to think that kids are just brighter and more accepting than their parents, the truth isn’t that simple. Ever since the late ’90s, the internet has shaken the world to its core. It was such a big technological advancement that we’re still talking about it. However, with such a powerful tool as the web, the way we communicate is no longer the same.
Social media platforms and various forum-like sites (e.g., Reddit) have given young people a chance to explore how they truly feel about themselves. Sure, the internet is full of downsides and dark places. However, its influence on various social issues is quite positive. Why is this?
Well, the content you can enjoy online is much more diverse than what cable TV or everyday life in a small town can offer you. Pornography, fan fiction, and various obscure entertainment options are sources of all sorts of wild ideas. Hence, interacting with them can be a trigger for teens to break loose from traditions and conservative values. Dating apps, tube sites, and forums are places for all those who feel like outcasts.
How Do Gen Zs Compare to Millennials and Boomers?
Once again, it’s easier being lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender these days than it was twenty or so years ago. The overall mainstream culture is much different these days, which means there’s a place for almost anyone to find and enjoy the content of their liking. It seems like no person or policy could change the general direction of modern civilization. So how do Gen Zs compare to Millennials or Boomers?
If you’ve seen “21 Jump Street” with Channing Tatum and Jonah Hill, you’ll probably remember a scene where Tatum’s character ridicules a gay teen outside their high school. The moment he punches and blasts homophobic slurs doesn’t end with kids around him cheering. Moreover, they’re all grossed out by his bigotry and stupidity. The thing is, most teens don’t give a flying fudge about what your sex life’s about as long as you don’t endanger them.
Back in the ’70s, ’80s, and ’90s, you’d have to hide your sexual orientation, no matter whether you were from California or North Carolina. The willingness of today’s kids to accept differences is greater since they’ve been raised with all sorts of diverse content. Feeling good about who you are is the norm these days.
What Does This Mean for the Coming Generations?
Although we won’t give you sex tips and dating advice this time, we’d like to chat about the long-term effects of the progressive culture. The umbrella term we’ve mentioned before seems like something that’s constantly growing. From sexual and gender topics to racial and cultural diversity, it encompasses almost everything.
We’d argue that the line between queer and straight will eventually disappear and become genuinely fluid. Even if it’s a “good time” to be gay these days, there are still things that need to change. Either way, we feel like modern society, at least in the West, will soon break new ground in social and cultural issues.