Why Women's Higher Standards is Leading to a "Sex Recession" Among Gen Z, with Dr. Debra Soh

Overview: Dr. Debra Soh’s “Sex Recession” Argument

Dr. Debra Soh argues that the widely discussed “sex recession” among Gen Z is real. While young people may be delaying other milestones (like driving or heavy partying), the bigger concern is their sharply reduced sexual activity.

She cites longitudinal findings showing a global decline in sex across developed countries, affecting both:

• people in partnered relationships, and
• single people

The decline is especially pronounced among millennials and Gen Z, particularly among men.

A commonly cited statistic in the discussion is that:

• one in three men and
• one in five women

report no sex in the past year.

Technology, Social Media, and Development

Soh frames “sex recession” as a multifaceted outcome, driven in part by modern technology and social media. She also discusses her work as a science-based guide for parents, focused on how to anticipate and respond to smartphone/social media impacts on development.

Dating Dynamics and Sexual Disconnection

A central theme is how changing gender dynamics in dating may contribute to sexual disconnection.

The host argues that as women’s socioeconomic power rises, women’s dating demands rise as well—such as preferences for partners who are:

• at least equal in status, and often higher

At the same time, Soh suggests that men are being suppressed by societal and institutional factors, including:

• discouraging men’s access to education or work, and
• systems that may favor women, such as quotas, mentorship programs, and job postings that effectively disadvantage men

Soh connects these changes to the concept of hypergamy: statistically, women tend to prefer partners with comparable or greater success/resources. In an environment where women achieve strong educational and career outcomes, this can narrow the pool of men women find attractive.

“Dating Market” Imbalance

The discussion also emphasizes a “dating market” imbalance:

• fewer men are “top-tier,” and
• the most desirable men become highly sought after (“men get their pick of women”),

while less successful men become increasingly shut out—potentially reducing the overall frequency of sex in the population.

The “3/6s Rule” (“36s”) Debate

The conversation addresses Soh’s description of the “3/6s rule”—a controversial set of partner preferences commonly summarized as requiring:

• over 6 feet tall
• over $100,000 income
• over 6 inches in penis length

Soh critiques these “36s” as unrealistic. She argues that while income and height may matter to some for practical reasons, sexual satisfaction is more strongly predicted by factors such as:

• sexual anatomy details (e.g., girth)
• relationship factors like chemistry, agreeableness, and humor

The host adds supportive context suggesting very few men meet all three criteria—for example:

• only a minority are over 6 feet
• only a minority earn six figures
• average penis length is around 5 inches

The implication is that insisting on all “36s” can shrink the effective dating pool to extremely small numbers—leading to a recommendation to “cast a wider net” and prioritize broader compatibility over rigid status metrics.

Promotional Segment

The host briefly pivots to a promotional segment about diversifying savings with physical gold via Birch Gold Group, encouraging viewers to sign up for a “learn and earn” event.

Presenters/Contributors

• Dr. Debra Soh
• Megan Kelly