Is Gen Z Afraid of Marriage?
The golden years. This is the title I have bestowed to my childhood, from elementary to high school. When I was in fifth grade, the internet appeared. We started going to a special room called the computer lab where we played “Odell Down Under” and “DinoPark Tycoon.” Did we have social media? We had never heard of it, it did not exist! Tinder? No, we took a gamble and called the house of our crush to see if they were home. If you haven’t guessed already, yes, I’m a millennial. I received my first cell phone when I was a senior in high school, and technology really took off from there. However, the years before the birth of social media were truly golden in my eyes. No one to impress online, no swiping. I had to date without—pause for dramatic effect—stalking their profile. I just knew what I knew about my date from our in-person interactions and things others told me about them. We had to meet a lot or talk on the phone to get to know each other.
Generation Z is a different animal altogether. After Gen Z individuals connect there is a lot they can determine about the person they are considering meeting up with. Social media is not without its pros, including more access to meeting more people. You can make some judgements about whether or not you are compatible with someone or even physically attracted to them. If you are Gen Z, after you initially connect, maybe you fall into the category of those interviewed in this study where you meet online and talk back and forth for a year before deciding to go on a date. Or maybe you are in a “situationship” and have not experienced a real relationship. This survey states that Gen Z is 13% less likely to have a boyfriend or girlfriend in their teenage years. The increase in 40-year-olds that have never married is up 20% from 2010.
What will the next generation show? Gen Z is hesitant to be in committed relationships. Perhaps they have witnessed marital failures in their parents or acquaintances and do not want to rush into something that might not last. This could lead to increased rates of cohabitation. How can we help Gen Z feel confident in their choice of a future spouse after building a relationship with someone they might believe is “the one”?
Building Confidence Before You Commit
Gen Z’s cautious approach to relationships can benefit from the SYMBIS Assessment. “Saving Your Marriage Before It Starts” is a perfect option for those in the same situation that Generation Z finds themselves in, wanting to commit but held back by the fear of making a mistake that will cause future pain. The assessment only takes thirty minutes and provides couples with insights into how each individual views marriage and important personality traits. It fosters communication and gives you an advantage for your future as a couple.
Contact Communicating Love to schedule a SYMBIS Assessment and leave behind worry while learning skills to create a happy and lasting marriage relationship.
Sources
Cox, D. A., Hammond, K. E., & Gray, K. P. (2023, November 9). Generation Z and the transformation of American adolescence: How Gen Z’s formative experiences shape its politics, priorities, and future. The Survey Center on American Life. https://www.americansurveycenter.org/research/generation-z-and-the-transformation-of-american-adolescence-how-gen-zs-formative-experiences-shape-its-politics-priorities-and-future/
Fry, R. (2023, June 28). A record-high share of 40-year-olds in the U.S. have never been married. Pew Research Center. https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2023/06/28/a-record-high-share-of-40-year-olds-in-the-us-have-never-been-married/
Rosier, J. G. (2025). When dismissiveness takes the wheel: How current dating trends are causing Generation Z to put their long-term relationship goals on the back burner. Florida Communication Journal, (50)1, 23-52.