We have witnessed a great shift in the modern dating culture in recent years. What were once considered unconventional dating practices, such as non-monogamous relationships, are currently gaining mainstream acceptance. Abstinence, for instance, was traditionally linked to religious reasons or seen as an involuntary circumstance stemming from a lack of romantic prospects. Choosing to be abstinent — especially voluntarily — was, and is, often misunderstood and even stigmatized. It was once assumed that those who abstained from sex were either repressed, undesirable, or missing out on an essential part of life. Now, abstinence and even celibacy are being embraced as deliberate and empowering lifestyle choices, with more people openly sharing their experiences online. Even celebrities have joined in on the conversation. In May last year, Julia Fox weighed in on controversial billboards by Bumble ads that appeared to mock celibacy. “2.5 years of celibacy and never been better tbh,” Fox commented on TikTok
