When all the puzzles were completed and we’d made enough banana bread to fill our freezers, there was only one thing left to do: Have sex.
Some got it on with themselves while others got down with their partners. Many eschewed sex entirely for a lack of opportunities (71%), however, a new study has found that 24% of singles who did get down in lockdown engaged in platonic sex with their housemates.
The annual study from Match surveyed 5,000 singles of varying ages, incomes and walks of life. In 2020, the survey had a renewed focus on topics specific to the challenges of this year, which resulted in some very intriguing data around love in lockdown and the political priorities of daters looking for a connection.
Here are some of the most interesting takeaways from the study.
Sex in lockdown
According to the study, the COVID-19 pandemic sparked a mass dry spell for single lovers. The data showed 71% of singles did not have sex with another person during the pandemic, despite a 7% increase in sex drive. Maybe this is why masturbation was up 17% and sex toy sales increased also.
Furthermore, 25% of singles had an ex reach out during the pandemic and 10% actually rekindled a previous relationship and while 13% of singles admitted they turned down a proposition for sex, another 13% accepted.
Dating after lockdown
The pandemic has driven many daters to reevaluate the qualities they seek in a partner (53% of singles). Looks and banter have become more superfluous qualities, with more people now hoping to engage win more meaningful conversations with potential partners (44%).
This also means daters are now willing to spend more time getting to know people they match with (63%) and are being more honest than ever before about the qualities they seek (69%).
In addition, single daters are now also looking for matches who bring financial stability to the table. Following a challenging few months of economic uncertainty, with stand-downs and job losses, 26% of singles now want to find a partner who is employed full-time.
Sex and politics
The BLM movement, sparked by the murder of George Floyd in May 2020, has changed the way people date. Specifically, singles do not want to ignite a romantic connection with someone who doesn’t agree with their views that change is necessary to move forward from issues of systemic racism.
Now, 45% of singles want to know a date’s political views by the second date, 59% of singles want to know if their date supports the BLM movement, and 64% of people say they cannot have a relationship with someone who does not agree with their views on racial inequality.