A recent investigation into Center for Survey of American Life reveals an unexpected trend among Generation Z: young women are more receptive to casual sex than men in the same age group. The data challenges traditional stereotypes about sexual behavior and highlights broader cultural shifts.
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Among young survey participants, especially women, there was greater acceptance not only of no-strings-attached sex, but also of abortion and open relationships. The result draws attention in a context where casual relationships still carry stigmas, especially when they involve women on dating apps.
Although 56% of North Americans surveyed consider it morally wrong to have sex with someone they don’t know, this perception is less rigid among young people. There are, however, differences between the sexes: 51% of Generation Z women consider this type of relationship to be morally wrong, compared to 57% of men in the same age group.
The divergence is even greater when it comes to open relationships. Only 46% of young women view this type of arrangement as morally wrong in most or all situations, while among men the figure rises to 57%.
For licensed therapist Alexandra Cromer of Thriveworks, these results reflect profound cultural transformations. In an interview with “Information week”, she notes that Gen Z men tend to take more conservative positions, while younger women more often align with liberal political and social views.
According to the expert, better access to information plays a central role in this movement. Education and exposure to feminist ideas help women to question traditional norms, such as the idea that casual sex is something negative, and to form their own opinions based on their experiences.
The study surveyed 5,451 adults in the United States, between July 25 and August 1, 2025, with a margin of error of 1.59 percentage points.
Alexandra adds that exposure to different cultures and perspectives tends to reduce rigid views of morality. “To classify something simply as ‘wrong’ or ‘bad’ tends to reflect a categorical and limited view,” he says. For her, feminist education also strengthens bodily autonomy, allowing women to consider sex as a legitimate personal choice.
According to Cromer, these changes tend to intensify. “As society places greater value on diversity of perspectives and individual autonomy, we will see a greater multiplicity of views on morality and relationships,” he concluded.
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