I'm an Ellis Island immigrant and while I can't speak for others, I think your point has merit. I knew quite a bit about the mechanics of sex as early as 8 because I read a lot, though I knew none of the slang sexual expressions of the era. But the underlying principle my Mom tried to instill in me, along with her admonishment to remain a Virgin until I married, was that sex without love was worthless. I believed that and still do, but I don't think the girls in this piece believe that at all.
Your first assessment was correct, this article is very depressing.
It puts me in the mind of Eliot's hollow men. These girls are hollow beings who will have nearly nothing to look forward to in their years ahead because they will have done it all.
I'm glad I'm not of this generation.
No, the times have not changed that much. The only difference is the kids are more outspoken. There is still a very high percentage of "good" kids out there. They just don't make the news.