Last July, Ohio Senate candidate J.D. Vance warned a conservative think tank about a “civilizational crisis,” marked by declining marriage and birth rates, and promoted by the “childless left.” Census data that shows low marriage rates among millennials and Gen Z-ers — only 29 percent of 18-to-34-year-olds were married ...
Gen Zers aren't prioritizing romantic relationships — or if they're open to one, they want it to happen organically. A majority (52%) expect to meet their significant other in person instead of via mutual acquaintances (30%) or an app (6%), according to the Goldman Sachs intern survey.
52% of this generation is white. 25% is Hispanic. 14% is black, and 4% is Asian.
The research, conducted in June through December 2020, focused on Gen Z parents (20-24 years-old).
Gen Xers would come to be known as one of the “least parented, least nurtured generations in U.S. history,” with parents divorcing at historic rates as both mom and dad worked in pursuit of an American Dream.
Gen Z Terms and Definitions
Pew Research recently defined Gen Z as anyone born 1997 onwards. Gen Z grew up with technology, the internet, and social media, which sometimes causes them to be stereotyped as tech-addicted, anti-social, or “social justice warriors.”
While 83 percent of people born between 1928 and 1945 (dubbed “the Silent Generation”) were married by age 37, researchers predict that Gen Z - born between 1997 and 2012 - are marrying far less.
An overview of Millennial and Gen Z dating statistics
75% of Gen Z are single. 44% of millennials are married.
Only 37% of Gen Z fell into the loyalist category, defined as those who bought a product from the same brand they were considering at the start of the shopping journey. This is quite different from the 56% of boomers who did so. We found a steady decline in loyalty with each generation.
While a staggering 86 percent of people claim to want monogamous relationships, there is an emerging trend for this dating style – also known as ENM or polyamory – among the LGBTQIA+ community and Gen Z.
Nearly half of Americans say that dating is harder than ten years ago. Some of the biggest reasons for this include increased risk, technology, and dating has become more impersonal. While dating has always presented challenges, dating, love, and relationships seem even more complicated.
Even as the Baby Boomers continue to age, they divorce more than any other age group.
Millennials have a lower divorce rate than older generations and a number of factors apparently play into this reality. The divorce rate for millennials, people in their late 20s, is less than 50 percent. Further, the likelihood of millennials staying married continues to increase.
52.9% of single mothers are millennials.
The single parents demographics data shows the second-largest mothers age group being gen x (2,862,000), followed by gen z (601,000) and baby boomers (316,000).
Staying Single In Your 20s is True Freedom
If you've missed the boat on this because you're in your late 20s, or even in your 30s or 40s, it isn't too late to start. It's important to note that this sense of freedom and finding yourself is a key period of your life and if you've missed it, it's time to do it.
Various think tanks and analytics companies also have set a 1997 start date. Although the U.S. Census does not identify Gen Z like it does the baby boomers, a U.S. Census publication in 2020 described Generation Z as the “young and mobile” population with oldest members of the cohort born "after 1996".
Generation Z
Men have had an average of 7.6 partners - although women are trailing behind with 2.6.
Research has shown that Gen Z's attitudes towards dating and sex have evolved from the generations before them; they take an especially pragmatic approach to love and sex, and subsequently aren't prioritising establishing committed romantic relationships the same way their older peers once did.
Gen Z's awareness and approach to mental health can have a positive influence on their parenting by allowing them to be emotionally healthy and drivers of open communication. It can also help shape a future generation that will understand, accept, and seek to treat their own mental health issues.
According to a 2021 Consumer Culture Report by 5WPR, Gen Z is prioritizing electronics, technology, health, and wellness.
Gen Z consumer characteristics
Gen Z'ers consumer characteristics tend to reflect their pragmatic approach to money and education. Other key influences are their affinity for technology, their belief in social causes, and a strong individualistic streak.
They are pragmatic and value direct communication, authenticity and relevance. They also value self-care. They may be more likely than older people were when they were the age of the Gen Zers to question rules and authority because they are so used to finding what they need on their own.