Like, it's probably more noticeable that you don't have any romantic or sexual relationships than it would be if you don't have any true, close, platonic connections. Romantic and sexual relationships have things that are very obvious and for the most part, exclusive to them, such as kissing, making out, sex, etc. Platonic relationships that are true and close are not as visible, they're more feelings on the inside (not to say that there's none of those feelings involved with romantic and sexual relationships). If you look exclusively at the activities done with a platonic friendship, it's not very different from an acquaintanceship, or an activity partner.
I've met people who claim they have friends, but they're just coworkers they talk to a bit, guys they play games with, or guys they see at the sports bar a lot. Not people who actually support each other or any true connection. Now granted, there's nothing wrong with having those acquaintanceships or activity partners, and it can be argued that they're necessary for a fulfilling life, but they're not the same as a true connection or friendship. If you've never had that or hadn't had it in a while, it can be hard to tell what that feels like.
The only way to make these connections is through social skills, which a lot of people lack. They lack social skills, so they don't make connections, platonic or romantic. Since romantic and sexual connections have more exclusive activities, it's more easy to notice them than the lack of true friends. So I'm wondering if all this talk about the lack of romance and sex is really just poor social skills.
This is a problem I've noticed in developed countries, strangely enough. It isn't as big of an issue in my developing country. We're less alienated and spend a lot more time together. You walk into developed countries and people are either plugged into something all the time or too anxious to make eye contact.
A lot of it probably has to do with alienation in developed countries and toxic masculinity being strangely worse than the infamous "machismo" that we have over here. The United States is also very sexually repressed and it's probably why they view Latinas as sex pots. They're more open with their sexuality and how they present themselves. To people as repressed as Americans, Latinas probably look like succubi compared to them.
which country is it?
Guatemala. We're a largely rural country with pockets of urbanization. Combine lack of reliable electricity with a largely rural environment and emphasis on in-person socialization becomes much more prominent.