Honey Singh tried to speak ‘Gen Z language’ on sexual health. He missed the mark entirely

“When I went to the show and saw the Gen Z audience, I thought I would give them a message in their language, to not have unprotected sex and to use condoms. I felt I should speak in a way they would understand better, the kind of language that is commonly used in OTT content and films these days, which Gen Z watches a lot,” he added.

Honey Singh has been open about his struggles with substance abuse and recovery. Last year, he revealed that drug use had severely impacted his health and that it took nearly eight years for his body to fully recover.

The problem with Honey Singh’s defence

His apology rests on a flawed but increasingly common assumption: that Gen Z only responds to crude, sensational language. As someone from this generation, I find this patronising and fundamentally untrue. We don’t need to be shocked into understanding serious issues; we need to be respected enough to have honest conversations about them.

The belief that my generation requires vulgar language to grasp sexual health reveals more about adult discomfort with straightforward dialogue than it does about our capacity for nuance. We consume diverse media, yes, but that doesn’t mean we cannot engage with serious topics when they are delivered respectfully.

In fact, reducing sexual health education to shock value does the opposite of what Singh claims, it trivialises vital information and undermines the very message he says he wanted to convey.

 

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‘Sexual health isn’t entertainment’

Mental health and medical professionals who work directly with Gen Z also paint a starkly different picture of how we actually communicate, and what we respond to.

Since Singh claimed he had spoken to gynaecologists and sexologists before stepping on stage that day, I reached out to a few experts myself to understand why his approach ultimately rang hollow.

“The idea that Gen Z only responds to crude or sensational language is both inaccurate and unfair,” Aayushi Chauhan, a licensed psychologist and senior psychologist at Apollo Telehealth, told indianexpress.com.

She explains that what appears as superficiality is actually a shift in communication style, not substance. “Slang, irreverence, and humour have always been part of youth culture; what has changed is visibility. Gen Z communicates in digital, public spaces where algorithms naturally amplify bold and emotionally charged content.”

Chauhan also talks about the concept of “pebbling”, small digital gestures like sharing a reel, song, or meme that quietly say “I thought of you.” The medium looks different from handwritten letters, but the emotional intent remains the same. “To dismiss Gen Z’s way of communicating because it feels unfamiliar is to confuse difference with deficiency,” she notes.

Healthcare experts echo this perspective with particular concern about sexual health messaging.

Dr Sanjay Prakash J, consultant urologist and andrologist at AINU Andrology in Chennai, is unequivocal. “There is no evidence that crude or exaggerated language improves understanding of sexual health. What consistently works is clear, factual, and respectful communication. Young people today are highly exposed to sensational content; exaggeration does not educate them, it fatigues them.”

His point cuts to the heart of why Singh’s approach backfired. “Sexual health is not entertainment. It is prevention, safety, and responsibility,” Dr Prakash emphasises. “Public health messaging must build trust, not chase attention.”

‘We are misinterpreting Gen Z and Gen Alpha’

Sexologist Dr Talat Fatema, who works with young patients, confirms this in her clinical experience.

“Gen Z is generally open to talking about sex. They want honest, clear, and open conversations. What they resist is judgment, moralising, or being talked down to. When the information is factual and non-shaming, they engage well and ask thoughtful questions.”

The resistance professionals observe isn’t to sexual health topics themselves, but to outdated power dynamics disguised as education.

Dr Rohit P Deshmukh, consultant psychiatrist and sexologist at Inner Peace clinic, stresses, “We are misinterpreting Gen Z and Gen Alpha. Even if they understand society’s moral principles. By always distinguishing them as someone different, we are in fact increasing the communication gap. They also understand simple language.”

Honey Singh posted an apology on Instagram (Source: Instagram/Yo Yo Honey Singh)

‘Language is not neutral’

Beyond being ineffective, shock-value messaging actively undermines the seriousness of sexual health conversations.

Dr Nidhi Rajotia (Goel), unit head of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at Artemis Hospitals, observes that while sensational content may grab attention, it rarely leads to safer behaviour. “Young people may not take sexual health seriously when they hear bad language. It might also make people who are already confused and anxious feel even more alone,” she tells indianexpress.com.

Health psychologist Puja Roy has also witnessed this pattern in therapeutic settings.

“Vulgar language can quickly grab attention, and sometimes create a sense of relatability. However, attention and change are very different processes,” she explains. “Lasting change usually requires slowing down, thinking, and sitting with discomfort. When the tone remains crude or exaggerated, the conversation often stays on the level of reaction; people respond emotionally, but nothing truly settles.”

The long-term consequences extend beyond individual conversations.

Psychologist Kanak Kejariwal, founder of Therascreen, warns about normalisation. “Frequent exposure to and casual use of derogatory or vulgar language eventually normalises it, making one less sensitive to its impact and meaning. Language is not neutral; it shapes our perceptions of ourselves and others.”

This desensitisation creates, as Dr Talat describes, a shift from education to entertainment. “When sex education becomes entertainment, the focus shifts from informed decision-making to performance.” This, she says, can trivialise risk, blur ethical boundaries, and oversimplify complex topics like consent, contraception, or emotional readiness. “Young people may remember the punchline but miss the principle.”

Damage of stereotyping

The impact on crucial topics, such as consent, is particularly concerning.

Dr Prakash warns that crude language “makes serious issues sound casual and reduces sensitivity to coercion, pressure, and harm”. “For young people, this creates confusion about boundaries and mutual agreement.”

The most damaging aspect is what this approach communicates about how adults view Gen Z. Chauhan explains that patronising communication triggers “psychological reactance, a defensive response where individuals resist messages perceived as manipulative or disrespectful.” This doesn’t build the trust necessary for vulnerable conversations about sexual health.

Psychologist Rasshi Gurnani notes that Gen Z demonstrates “high sensitivity to authenticity, relevance, and respect, not vulgarity per se.” The assumption that we need crude language, she argues, “often reflects the communicator’s anxiety about attention, not Gen Z’s actual cognitive or emotional limits.”

The stereotype itself carries real psychological weight. When young people are repeatedly told their generation is shallow or attention-deficient, some internalise these labels.

“I have had clients question their own seriousness or intelligence because of these stories,” psychologist Roy shares. “Such labelling can subtly increase shame and make people hesitant to seek support.”

When sex education becomes entertainment, the focus shifts from informed decision-making to performance. (Source: AI Generated)

Effective sexual health communication

Dr Gaana Sreenivas, obstetrician and gynaecologist at Rainbow Hospital, emphasises that “young patients respond best when conversations are respectful, non-judgmental, and medically accurate.” The goal is creating safe spaces where patients feel comfortable discussing sensitive issues “without feeling talked down to or sensationalised.”

Chauhan offers guidance rooted in recognising Gen Z’s emotional literacy. “Gen Z disengages quickly when spoken down to, dismissed as ‘too sensitive,’ or met with exaggerated moral panic. But when an adult says, ‘Help me understand your perspective,’ the response shifts from defensiveness to dialogue.”

The medical consensus is clear. Dr Prakash advises public figures to “stick to facts, clarity, and respect”. “Use simple language without shock or vulgarity. Centre consent, safety, and well-being.”

Gen Z do not need to be spoken down to or shocked; they just need reliable information that they can trust.

Honey Singh’s apology acknowledged that humans make mistakes, but his initial defence revealed the assumption that Gen Z needs crude language to understand sexual health. This isn’t just wrong, it’s a barrier to the very education he claims to support.

We don’t need celebrities to shock us into caring about our health. We need them to respect us enough to speak clearly, honestly, and responsibly. That’s asking for the bare minimum.