From the Sauna to the Pub: How Differently Do Gen Xers and Millennials Think About Sexuality?

What does ‘sexuality’ mean to you? For millennials, it’s more than just ’the act’ itself, while Generation X prefers to keep it simple. In her master’s thesis, Kimberly Le Conté reveals generational differences: from setting boundaries in bars to feeling uncomfortable in the sauna.

Can you explain what your thesis is about?

‘In my thesis, I investigate how people from Generation X, now aged between fifty and seventy, and millennials think about sexuality. I wanted to understand how both generations interpret the concept of ‘sexuality’ and what differences emerge between them.

‘For my research, I used The History of Sexuality by French philosopher Michel Foucault. Foucault explains that many concepts, including sexuality, are actually social constructs: ideas that gain meaning because people assign meaning to them.

‘Just as we’ve collectively agreed that money has value, sexuality also gains meaning through social interaction. This means that a concept like sexuality is not fixed, but is continually redefined by society.’

Where did the inspiration for your master’s thesis come from?

‘My interest in this topic mainly comes from my studies, where I focused a lot on feminism and gender. In conversations with my parents and other people from Generation X, I noticed that we sometimes think very differently about topics like sexuality.

‘I also observed that people from my own generation seem to be becoming more prudish. While older generations find being naked normal, many millennials view it differently and tend to avoid nudity in public spaces. A simple example is the sauna, where some people prefer not to go because it’s customary to be naked. There is also more hesitation around things like showering together after sports.

‘If topics like nudity and sexuality become taboo, it can eventually lead to a lack of openness, which could negatively affect our mental and physical health.’

How did you approach this research?

‘I used focus groups for my research. These are discussion groups, a type of interview with multiple people participating at the same time. This allowed me to gauge how participants think about sexuality, what the concept means to them, and how openly they believe their generation talks about the subject. I also asked them about topics such as social media, education, technology, and the influence of the MeToo movement on society.

‘In total, I organized four focus groups: one with male millennials, one with female millennials, one with male Gen Xers, and one with female Gen Xers. It was a challenge to find people willing to talk openly about this topic, but in the end, I was able to reach enough participants through connections.

‘What stood out was that millennials define sexuality more broadly than Gen Xers: for them, sexuality is not just about the biological aspect, ‘the act,’ or physical traits, but also about gender, attraction, and the MeToo movement. They give sexuality a social and societal dimension, with gender identity and personal boundaries being important as well.

‘Generation X, on the other hand, when they talk about sexuality, mainly emphasize its physical aspects: the act, sexual touch, and appearance. They approach the topic from a biological perspective, with reproduction at the center. So, both generations have a very different view of sexuality: they don’t just talk about it differently, but they also experience and approach it in different ways.’

What did you find most surprising during your research?

‘Many women from Generation X feel that life was simpler in the past. If you met someone in a bar and they unexpectedly kissed you, you would just push them away. They have the impression that people were less complicated about such situations back then.

‘Millennials, on the other hand, said they appreciate that boundaries are now more respected. They find it uncomfortable to touch someone ‘out of the blue.’ For them, it’s natural to ask for permission.

‘However, male millennials struggle with these changed norms. They want to be respectful and believe it’s important to respect others’ boundaries, but at the same time, they find it difficult to gauge what is or isn’t acceptable.’

Why is your research relevant to society?

‘When people have different definitions of a concept like sexuality, it can complicate communication and understanding. By mapping out these differences, we can hopefully gain a better understanding of why people from different generations make certain choices or set specific boundaries. This insight can ultimately contribute to more understanding between generations, for example, when we talk about boundaries, sexual freedom, and identity.’

_Advertentie.