Kinky fetish play is definitely not anything new. After all, for thousands of years, human beings have been devising new and novel ways to pleasure themselves and their partners.
We can only imagine it started with primitive wooden and stone sex toys, which today have evolved into toys made from all sorts of body-safe materials, in different shapes and sizes.
However, one notable new development is the rise of… Chastity?
That’s right, one of America’s hottest new sexual trends appears to be a sexual abstinence movement, where people aren’t even having sex!
Curious about the newest sexual abstinence trends of 2025? Let’s take a closer look!
Why Chastity Became the #1 Fetish in America
While it’s impossible to say precisely why any fetish gains popularity, there are primarily two schools of thought surrounding why chastity has become so popular.
First, some believe that it could be a cultural reaction to the widespread use of pornographic content, which has disconnected many from what real sexual intimacy is meant to be.
Secondly, the rise in abstinence may also be related to the growing popularity of BDSM lifestyles. After all, chastity is a popular form of BDSM play, which is also referred to as chastity bondage.
The kink, also known as orgasm denial, usually involves using a chastity device or cage on one’s partner, which essentially keeps their genitals under lock and key. The idea is to have complete control over whether your partner has sex, masturbates, or orgasms, which can be a fun and sexy way to explore dom/sub power dynamics.
Kink-lovers and fetishists mostly practice chastity play. But some evidence suggests that people are becoming increasingly open about their sexuality and they’re open to trying new things.
And, as we explore below, chastity play is enjoyable and appealing to many people for various reasons.
From Locktober to Mainstream: How October Became the Month of Sexual Denial
According to our research, “Locktober” is a month-long event focused on male Chastity that takes place every October. It’s an event where participants decide to wear some form of chastity device or abstain from having sex or orgasming for the entire month.
Again, it’s mostly practiced in the kink and BDSM communities. However, thanks to the internet, terms like this tend to receive a significant amount of search traffic around this time of year, especially with October just around the corner.
There are no exact references to when the term first appeared, but most believe the first appearances began on chastity/kink-related message boards between 2010 and 2015.
Either way, since then, search volume for “Locktober” has steadily increased, with 2024 so far posting roughly double the amount of searches as in previous years.
There has also been a significant increase in search volume for keywords like “NoFap movement,” “keyholder relationships,” as well as “4B movement,” a radical South Korean feminist movement that rejects traditional aspects of heterosexual lifestyles.
So no matter what you think of the October sexual abstinence trend, other people are clearly jumping on board!
Generation Z, Politics, and the Psychology Behind America’s Chastity Obsession
If you’re wondering why young Americans are choosing abstinence, you’re not alone.
But from online trends like Locktober to political movements like the 4B movement, sexual conservatism 2025, and Project 2025, one thing is clear: Gen Z is experiencing reduced sexual activity compared to older generations.
Another reason for America’s obsession with chastity is that young people are disillusioned with pornography.
There’s no denying the fact that internet porn has vastly changed the way people engage and interact with adult content. And while online porn may be seen as beneficial to porn-lovers, kink-practitioners, and fetishists, it’s also seen by some as something that’s ruining traditional sexual relationships.
Therefore, we are likely seeing an increasing number of young people practice chastity as a way to promote selflessness and honesty in their relationships.
How the Chastity Boom is Reshaping America’s Adult Entertainment Industry
There’s really no way to tell exactly why chastity has become such a hot topic in recent years, or whether it’s just another trending buzzword or something that will be around a lot longer.
But it doesn’t really matter whether it was caused by sexual conservatism, political movements, or just people being increasingly open to the idea of BDSM play.
Either way, one thing is sure: trends like these are reshaping the adult industry, one sexy fad at a time.
With the rise in popularity of chastity play, there also comes an increase in people being interested in BDSM and bondage toys, like chastity cages, leather collars, and leashes. And you might also see chastity-related content trending on porn sites or adult streaming platforms.
In the end, even if you’re not into the idea of refraining from sex throughout October, maybe you should try it. After all, you should never yuck somebody else’s yum!