To think the young are less interested in sex, relationships and children

Maybe they should try not being misogynists and incels?

I rarely hear of engagements anymore , I don't think youngsters are as bothered as they once were .Years ago engagements were a big thing amongst girls .Not so much now.

Though I don’t think this is, necessarily, a wholly good thing. There’s a growing trend of young women who believe that having a “partner” is no different to having a husband, and that marriage is “just a piece of paper” without fully understanding the potential repercussions for them of not marrying, especially if they intend on having children. If there’s one thing we do need to make young women more aware of when it comes to relationships is that it can all seem fine and dandy and happy equality, until the chips are down.

I'm tired of all boys being tarred with the brush of being misogynistic and obsessed with porn.

I don't see that with ds, his friends (although of course I don't know for sure). They're nice lads who are much more respectful to girls than our generation's boys were. They have lots of female friends which helps and ds certainly doesn't objectify women and hates porn. They are quite nervous about approaching girls for fear of getting it wrong and being accused of harassing them though.

Please stop stereotyping our boys and young men as predatory misogynists...it's doing nobody any favours and is unfair. Would it be okay to say any other group are ALL (insert negative stereotype)?

Nobody is saying you can’t speak to people. Just don’t leer at them and just treat them like a normal human being. If that the way some men take that advice, then I think everyone is better off if they don’t procreate.

I have an 18 year old cousin who tells me how misogynistic her male peers are. Also young women are more aware of abusive relationships, more than my generation were. I’d imagine this makes them more cautious when entering relationships and they know they don’t need to get married and have children to have security.

I echo an excellent point made by a pp, that relationships can be very risky for women. I’m often encouraged to start seeing people, by my friends in terrible relationships, misery loves company I suppose 🤷🏻‍♀️. Happily single and have no intention of that changing.

It's not that they are not interested in sex , it's that they don't see marriage and kids as the be all and end all anymore . Plus more reliable contraception such as injections where they don't have to remember to take a pill .

It's seen by teenagers as naff and idiotic to get pregnant as a teen and as we know at that age peer pressure is huge .

A lot of teens aspire to get to Uni and travel and have experiences before they settle down .

I rarely hear of engagements anymore , I don't think youngsters are as bothered as they once were .Years ago engagements were a big thing amongst girls .Not so much now .

I’m interested in who you think told young men this? Was it the same force that told young women that if they wore a short skirt they were inviting rape?

I think it’s sad if younger people don’t want kids or long lasting love. I was always a huge romantic, looking for love. My older teen so far seems the same and had a lovely and long term first relationship. Younger one is less keen but that’s fine too.

Agree. My 20 year old DS and his mates seem more interested in football, darts and gaming than getting a gf. Out of his friendship group, only one has a serious gf and she’s one of the girls from their inner circle

He chats to girls online but doesn’t yet seem that bothered about actually meeting up

I have four nieces between 24 and 27. three of them have boyfriends but in no rush to marry or have children.

The fourth has a baby by her ex. She's 27, raising her baby alone, building a company, already had her heart bruised (her ex was sleeping around) and no desire to find a new relationship. It's sad but she'll survive.

If you spend years telling young men that they are all misogynists and incels and that merely speaking to a girl could be considered harassment, it's not surprising that a lot of young men have checked out of socialising with girls, let alone having a relationship - it's too dangerous and not worth the effort.

It’s great isn’t it!! People can now choose what they want, not get tied down with shit partners because it’s expected, have children they don’t want just because it used to be the norm. They can be happy within themselves and not need validation from someone else. How exciting for them.

I agree.

I think birth rates and population are going to drop massively over the next couple of decades. Even now a lot of women are having children much later anyway, and often having just one. Divorce rates are very high, so weddings and marriage seem a waste of time for many.

I remember throughout my 20s people would constantly ask when I was going to have children like it was an expectation, rather than a choice. I enjoyed my 20s going out etc and I remember a family member saying to me they thought I wouldn’t have children because I was too selfish enjoying myself! I was only around 23! I’m glad the younger generation don’t have those societal pressures now.

When you look at the world now there are so many opportunities for young people, women are very aware that a lot of men are incapable of being faithful, and the world is a pretty dangerous place to bring children into these days.

Women are more than capable of providing for themselves now and men like to play the field through the dating apps without commitment. I am well aware these are sweeping statements, but there doesn’t seem to be the motivation for young people to meet ‘the one’ and settle down these days.

And many young people travel around the world on cheap flights. It wasn't an option 30 yesrs ago.

Definitely think it's more common now for young women to admit from an early age they don't want children
Everyone thought I was a freak back in the 90s (but how can you dislike children when you WERE a child!!!)

I have two young adult age children and a few Nieces/Nephews similar age, I've seen a definite lack of interest in marriage in this age group, I don't mean now as they're too young really, but I mean they don't seem bothered about it in the future!

The world and the opportunities for young people look very different than they did 30 years ago.

It sure does. Climate change is coming, the full impacts are unknown, and the world is overpopulated already. Plus, as I said, cost of living is going up, up and up. Many youngsters are very apprehensive about the future.

They have discovered and can afford to travel, educate themselves and put their own needs first.
The world and the opportunities for young people look very different than they did 30 years ago.

"Relationships are lifes central joy"

Bugger that for a game of soldiers.

I've been with DW for nearly 20 years, I'm still madly in love with her, and she makes my life infinitely better by being in it.

But so do many many other people, things, and experiences, and if I'd never met DP, that wouldn't make my life empty.

Not everyone needs a relationship to be happy, and I think more young people are realising that, and not putting up with crap relationships as a result.

My daughters both are keen to have children.

I think we've done a great job of teaching our daughters to not accept shit men any more. But that's bringing a downside! I wonder how many kids are going to be born in the future.
It was only 50 years ago that women had no choice to marry. The men didn't even have to be likeable. Now, brilliantly, women get to choose depending on what value the man brings to their life. And therein lies the problem.

I’m so glad things have changed for the better.

I was born mid sixties and was brought up to believe that being a wife (to practically any man) was the only achievement worth pursuing. I tried it twice before realising I am far happier single, and have remained single for 15 years of bliss.

DD has never prioritised men or relationships. She’s now approaching 30 and wants children, so has a boyfriend to eventually facilitate that.

Alot of people did/do alot of things just to fit in tbh. Just watch the old teen movies and it's clear. Plus we all have less money now and therefore less risk tolerance.

Reading some of the PP’s made me smile. My biggest regret was getting into a “serious relationship” too young and I never lived alone or went travelling. I didn’t even have a chance to focus on my own career before having a baby.

DH and I were too immature - even in our 30s. I love him to bits but I missed out.

we even moved in together while at University and now we’re both 40s.

Anyway, I’m pleased people are becoming more independent. And moving away, travelling etc. good for them!

I'd agree. Have a teen, none of his peers are dating or drinking or doing drugs like I did at their age. I think the lack of drinking has a big part to play in lack of sex. Times have changed. Young ones are way less hedonistic than previous generations.