Romance might be dead.
Prices on everything are so high these days that not only can Gen Z and millennials not afford to have friends — but now young singles are giving up on romance because dating is too expensive.
43% of young US singles are going on fewer dates, 37% are cutting back on dating in general and 33% blame the economy for their hesitation around romance, according to a new study from DatingNews.com and the Kinsey Institute — and you can’t blame them.
Gen Z is still learning how to best manage their money — it’s no secret many of them are drowning in debt — so it’s understandable that they don’t want to be dating during a time when a round of drinks and a few appetizers can easily cost well over $100, especially in New York City.
Aside from just youngsters skipping on romance to spare their wallets — those who are coupled up are feeling the pressure to move in together — but not for the reason you’d think.
The study revealed that nearly 1 in 4 people said they would rush their relationship timeline and play house sooner than they’d care to admit — just to save money.
Splitting rent, groceries and utilities can save a ton of money, especially for those who live in a major city.
“While sharing housing costs may offer short-term relief, moving in together primarily for economic reasons often puts financial convenience ahead of relationship readiness. This can lead to ‘financial coupling,’ where leases and bills, not genuine compatibility, bind partners together, making it harder to leave unfulfilling or unhealthy relationships,” said Natassia Miller, AASECT-certified sexologist.
“In trying to solve immediate money pressures, couples may overlook the essential time needed to assess emotional and sexual compatibility, ultimately risking far greater costs—both emotional and financial—down the line.”
And none of this should really come as a surprise, considering nearly half of the generation born between 1997 and 2012 would pick money over love.
If they had to choose between romance or finances — nearly half of Gen Zers admitted that they would rather be financially well off than be in a relationship, according to a dating survey by matchmaking service Tawkify.
“Money equals safety, security and freedom,” Brie Temple, Tawkify’s CCO and chief matchmaker, told The Post.
“Taking an ex back because they got rich isn’t just about the bank account. It’s about what that wealth symbolizes: security, ambition and maybe a sense that they’ve ‘leveled up’ since the breakup.”
Read the full article here
