Sweden's consent law may be altering dating and family formation, study suggests

Sweden's 2018 consent-based sexual legislation may be altering dating and family formation in unexpected ways, according to a new study. Researchers analyzing data from countries that have adopted similar laws observed a roughly four percent decrease in births per woman. The study, published in the Journal of Health Economics, suggests this decline is linked to fewer relationships being formed and an increase in abortions. The findings challenge the straightforward assumption that the law, designed to make it easier to prosecute sexual offenses by requiring explicit consent, would solely lead to positive outcomes. The researchers propose that the legislation may have increased the perceived risk associated with casual sexual encounters. This heightened risk, they hypothesize, could lead some men, particularly those more risk-averse, to participate less in dating activities or withdraw from the dating scene altogether. Such a shift could result in a smaller pool of men available for dating, potentially impacting relationship formation and, consequently, birth rates. The article draws a parallel to historical policy blunders, like China's campaign against sparrows, to illustrate how well-intentioned policies can have unforeseen and detrimental effects. It also references an older Swedish example where property taxes based on the number of windows led homeowners to seal them up, demonstrating how practical outcomes can diverge from theoretical planning. The study's author, Adrian Mehic, analyzed data from various countries implementing consent laws to reach his conclusions. The implications of these findings suggest a need for careful consideration of the broader societal impacts when enacting significant legal reforms, even those intended to enhance safety and justice.

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The consent-based legislation introduced in 2018 may have changed dating.