The rise of bisexual Gen Z students

Let’s start by reiterating that the term ‘sexual orientation’ refers to an enduring pattern of emotional, romantic, and/or sexual attractions to men, women, both genders or none. It is related to a person's sense of personal and social identity based on those attractions, behaviors expressing them, and membership in a community of others who share this attraction. Sexual identity is how individuals perceive their sexuality and how they label themselves. This can include one's sexual orientation but also encompasses other components, such as personal and cultural beliefs about sexuality, preferred labels or terms, and disclosing or discussing one's sexuality with others. For instance, a person might be attracted to people of the same sex, which is typically described as a homosexual orientation but prefer to identify as queer.
The most common sexual orientations mentioned in articles and surveys currently are:
Among the millennial students responding to my survey, 87% identified as heterosexual, 7% as bisexual, 3% as homosexual (gay/lesbian), 2.5% as pansexual, and 0.5% as asexual. These shares look very different for Gen Z students; only about three-quarters (77%) identify as heterosexual (75% of females and 85% of males) but almost 13% as bisexual (15% among females and 6% among males), 4.5% as homosexual (gay/lesbian), 3% as pansexual, and less than 2% as asexual. Other orientations mentioned were omnisexual, demisexual, queer, and questioning, for example.
The most common sexual orientations mentioned in articles and surveys currently are:
- Heterosexual (or straight): People who are attracted primarily to people of the opposite gender to their own. For example, a man who is attracted to women or a woman who is attracted to men.
- Homosexual (gay or lesbian): People who are attracted primarily to people of the same gender as their own. Gay is often used to refer to both genders but can specifically refer to men attracted to other men. Lesbian refers specifically to women who are attracted to other women.
- Bisexual: People who are attracted to both men and women. The degree of attraction does not have to be equally split and can vary over time.
- Pansexual: People who can be attracted to anyone, including individuals who do not identify with their gender. Pansexual individuals are not aware of or do not consider the gender of the person they are attracted to, which is why they are considered gender blind.
- Omnisexual: People who can be attracted to anyone, including individuals who do not identify with their gender. Unlike pansexual individuals, omnisexual individuals consider the gender of the person they are attracted to. They may have a slight gender preference when it comes to attraction but not a specific gender requirement.
- Asexual: People who do not experience sexual attraction, although they may still experience romantic attraction. Asexuality is not the same as celibacy, which is the conscious decision to abstain from sexual activity.
- Demisexual: People who only experience sexual attraction once a deep emotional connection has been formed.
- Queer: A broad term that can be used to describe any sexual orientation or gender identity that does not conform to heterosexual and cisgender norms. Some people use it to avoid categorizing themselves more precisely. Anyone under the LGBT+ spectrum can use it.
- Questioning: This term is often used to refer to individuals who are unsure about or are still exploring their sexual orientation or gender identity.
Among the millennial students responding to my survey, 87% identified as heterosexual, 7% as bisexual, 3% as homosexual (gay/lesbian), 2.5% as pansexual, and 0.5% as asexual. These shares look very different for Gen Z students; only about three-quarters (77%) identify as heterosexual (75% of females and 85% of males) but almost 13% as bisexual (15% among females and 6% among males), 4.5% as homosexual (gay/lesbian), 3% as pansexual, and less than 2% as asexual. Other orientations mentioned were omnisexual, demisexual, queer, and questioning, for example.
The question that immediately comes to mind when looking at this incredible increase in bisexual students is whether their sexual behavior is reflecting their sexual identity. In other words, are they engaging with people of the opposite sex or gender, or are they just identifying as bisexual without engaging with people of the opposite sex or gender? Let’s see what the survey data tell us.
Regarding relationships and dating, their self-reported relationship status isn’t any different from heterosexual Gen Z students. Forty-one percent are single/not in a relationship (46% of heterosexuals), 47% are in a committed relationship (49% of heterosexuals), 5% are in an open relationship (2% of heterosexuals), and 7% describe their relationship in terms other than that (3% of heterosexuals). “I met my current boyfriend last year at a party, we’ve known each other and had a sexual relationship for about 7 months before officially dating. I met my girlfriend at a festival and we’ve been dating for about 3 months.” (bisexual female, 22, senior) |
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“A month-ish. She lives in a different dorm on campus. We met through medieval combat club on campus.” (bisexual female, 19, freshman)
“Currently together, have been seeing each other since February but officially together since May. Yes, even though we have separate living areas we sleep together every night. We met over snapchat and started hooking up with each other.” (bisexual female, 20, sophomore)
“1 year it wasn't a good relationship but I was able to learn a lot from it.” (bisexual female, 19, sophomore)
“2 years going, we live at different campuses in Florida. We met in chemistry class (how stereotypical). We visit each other a few times during the school year and live closely at our families' homes during the breaks.” (bisexual female, 20, sophomore)
“I am in the talking stage with a boy. Not really an open relationship, but we have not told each other to be loyal to only each other. We do not live together and we met at university in English class. We have been talking for 6 months.” (bisexual female, 20, freshman)
“I have been in a monogamous relationship with my current boyfriend for six months and counting. He is my best friend whom I met through other friends. I met him after I had just finished with psychotherapy for sexual abuse from my freshman year of high school.” (bisexual female, 20, junior)
“3 years, long-distance; very committed relationship. Partner is same-sex and both of us are on the asexual spectrum. Only been sexual if you count phone sex (I will for the same of the following answers). Met through a mutual friend when we were in high school.” (bisexual and grey-asexual female, 21 junior)
When it comes to what single students are looking for in their next relationship, bisexual students overwhelmingly wanted to have a committed relationship (71% vs. 73% for heterosexual students). What is different, though, is how they go about meeting new partners. Whereas only about 20% of heterosexual students use hookup apps and online dating to meet new partners, 30% or more of bisexual students use those avenues.
When we look at sexual activity based on biological sex, 75% of female Gen Z students and 69% of male students reported having been active already. Additionally, 58% of female students and 54% of male students were sexually active at the time they participated in our survey, meaning they had engaged in either oral, vaginal, or anal sex during the past 30 days. Bisexual and heterosexual Gen Z students reported similar numbers, with 83% and 82% having been sexually active, and 47% and 55% currently being active.
Heterosexual students overwhelmingly had sex with other heterosexual students (97%), with 92% having had heterosexual partners only. Still, 7% had engaged with bisexual individuals and 1% each with pansexual or homosexual (gay/lesbian) individuals. Bisexual students (93% females) also reported having engaged mainly with heterosexual individuals (84%), with 60% having had heterosexual partners only. Yet, they also had been involved with other bisexual (29%), homosexual (gay/lesbian) (10%), and pansexual individuals (4%).
More than half of bisexual students (54%) admitted to having had casual sex, compared to 43% of heterosexual students. Most respondents made light of the situation or stressed that their behavior had been intentional and that they didn’t feel any regrets. There were, however, a few students who expressed regret or indicated that the sexual activity may not have been consensual. Some submissions referenced the students’ mental health as a reason for their actions.
“Usually we mostly only had a drug interest in common when I hooked up casually. Both interested in the experience of intercourse under X influence.” (bisexual female, 22, junior)
“Legal cannabis use. Makes you feel more open and connected w/partner. Different for everyone. It's always sex w/ongoing & enthusiastic consent.” (bisexual female, 19, sophomore)
“I was drunk and I had met someone on Tinder. We had talked for about a month and the first time we met was at a party. We then had sex under the influence without protection, I regret this.” (bisexual female, 21, senior)
“This was when I was very young (probably 14), and I was under the influence. I think that, mixed with the manipulation of an older guy influenced my decisions.” (bisexual female, 24, freshman)
“Was extremely intoxicated, could not give consent.” (bisexual female, 20, senior)
“More like depression and fear of being alone.” (bisexual female, 18, freshman)
As pointed out at the beginning of this post, people don’t define their sexual orientation by their sexual activity but based on a pattern of emotional, romantic, and/or sexual attraction. The results of my survey are a confirmation of that statement, as they reveal that 60% of bisexual students had been involved with heterosexual partners only. On the other hand, one in twelve heterosexual students (8%) had had sexual relationships with a non-heterosexual partner. People decide what gender identity label best fits how they feel and experience their sexuality, regardless of what others may consider the right choice.
“Currently together, have been seeing each other since February but officially together since May. Yes, even though we have separate living areas we sleep together every night. We met over snapchat and started hooking up with each other.” (bisexual female, 20, sophomore)
“1 year it wasn't a good relationship but I was able to learn a lot from it.” (bisexual female, 19, sophomore)
“2 years going, we live at different campuses in Florida. We met in chemistry class (how stereotypical). We visit each other a few times during the school year and live closely at our families' homes during the breaks.” (bisexual female, 20, sophomore)
“I am in the talking stage with a boy. Not really an open relationship, but we have not told each other to be loyal to only each other. We do not live together and we met at university in English class. We have been talking for 6 months.” (bisexual female, 20, freshman)
“I have been in a monogamous relationship with my current boyfriend for six months and counting. He is my best friend whom I met through other friends. I met him after I had just finished with psychotherapy for sexual abuse from my freshman year of high school.” (bisexual female, 20, junior)
“3 years, long-distance; very committed relationship. Partner is same-sex and both of us are on the asexual spectrum. Only been sexual if you count phone sex (I will for the same of the following answers). Met through a mutual friend when we were in high school.” (bisexual and grey-asexual female, 21 junior)
When it comes to what single students are looking for in their next relationship, bisexual students overwhelmingly wanted to have a committed relationship (71% vs. 73% for heterosexual students). What is different, though, is how they go about meeting new partners. Whereas only about 20% of heterosexual students use hookup apps and online dating to meet new partners, 30% or more of bisexual students use those avenues.
When we look at sexual activity based on biological sex, 75% of female Gen Z students and 69% of male students reported having been active already. Additionally, 58% of female students and 54% of male students were sexually active at the time they participated in our survey, meaning they had engaged in either oral, vaginal, or anal sex during the past 30 days. Bisexual and heterosexual Gen Z students reported similar numbers, with 83% and 82% having been sexually active, and 47% and 55% currently being active.
Heterosexual students overwhelmingly had sex with other heterosexual students (97%), with 92% having had heterosexual partners only. Still, 7% had engaged with bisexual individuals and 1% each with pansexual or homosexual (gay/lesbian) individuals. Bisexual students (93% females) also reported having engaged mainly with heterosexual individuals (84%), with 60% having had heterosexual partners only. Yet, they also had been involved with other bisexual (29%), homosexual (gay/lesbian) (10%), and pansexual individuals (4%).
More than half of bisexual students (54%) admitted to having had casual sex, compared to 43% of heterosexual students. Most respondents made light of the situation or stressed that their behavior had been intentional and that they didn’t feel any regrets. There were, however, a few students who expressed regret or indicated that the sexual activity may not have been consensual. Some submissions referenced the students’ mental health as a reason for their actions.
“Usually we mostly only had a drug interest in common when I hooked up casually. Both interested in the experience of intercourse under X influence.” (bisexual female, 22, junior)
“Legal cannabis use. Makes you feel more open and connected w/partner. Different for everyone. It's always sex w/ongoing & enthusiastic consent.” (bisexual female, 19, sophomore)
“I was drunk and I had met someone on Tinder. We had talked for about a month and the first time we met was at a party. We then had sex under the influence without protection, I regret this.” (bisexual female, 21, senior)
“This was when I was very young (probably 14), and I was under the influence. I think that, mixed with the manipulation of an older guy influenced my decisions.” (bisexual female, 24, freshman)
“Was extremely intoxicated, could not give consent.” (bisexual female, 20, senior)
“More like depression and fear of being alone.” (bisexual female, 18, freshman)
As pointed out at the beginning of this post, people don’t define their sexual orientation by their sexual activity but based on a pattern of emotional, romantic, and/or sexual attraction. The results of my survey are a confirmation of that statement, as they reveal that 60% of bisexual students had been involved with heterosexual partners only. On the other hand, one in twelve heterosexual students (8%) had had sexual relationships with a non-heterosexual partner. People decide what gender identity label best fits how they feel and experience their sexuality, regardless of what others may consider the right choice.