Dating has suffered a drastic change since the era of Generation X. Marriage rates have dropped significantly, divorce rates have risen considerably and cohabitation has taken a hike towards the ceiling. Millennials have adopted a unique approach and think what you may, but this generation seem to have a justification for all the inclusions and deductions that have been made to the act of dating.
Millennial existence is highly characterized by apps, of which dating apps are no exception. Seriously, why struggle to make it work when you can simply leave and swipe right for a new adventure?
The over prevalence of dating apps like Tinder, Hinge, Bumble, etc. have turned dating into a sport for millennials. It’s just a matter of meeting someone over the phone, meet up and if they tickle your fancy, take it a step further if you like them or perhaps ghost them and begin the hunt all over again.
When you mention dating to the average millennial, the first thing that comes to their mind is sex. Evidently, a generation like baby boomers used sex to do what their name suggests – produce babies.
Millennials, however, have discovered ways to maximally explore the act for other purposes other than popping out babies. Thanks to birth control, a casual hookup with a stranger in the bathroom at a party isn’t such a bad idea. Having several sexual partners over a period of time is as easy as swiping right on several dating platforms.
The term ghosting didn’t exactly have a profound meaning until millennials came around the block. Tired of seeing someone? Just stop returning their text or calls and voila! That’s the end of their chapter in your life. That’s how millennials break up.
The inability of millennials to take responsibility for their actions pan across their dating lives. Their lack of commitment is profoundly present in how they handle their relationships.
Millennials seem to constantly be on the hunt for something new, bigger, quicker, and easier. Good is not good enough and the best is always out there. This generation is known to always be on the hunt for perfection so it’s hard to settle or commit to someone. Talk of their taste in looks, character, whatever… millennials can never have enough and always in pursuit of better.
The biggest and closest thing you get to conventional dating among this generation is being stuck in the grey area- not knowing where you stand, whether or not there is a future for your relationship and if you’re simply up for auditioning. Trust is a rare commodity and almost everyone is scared of putting theirs out there.
Careful though! Broken hearts are to millennials as the sun is to the Sahara – can’t find one without the other.
Dating as a millennial can be hectic. It leaves you thinking if there is such a thing called love and constantly has you in flight or fight mode, but the big question is whether or not the trend will change among Gen Z or is this toxic trend here to stay? How will you describe your dating trend over the years? Don’t hesitate to share with us.
