Gen Zers Shift Away from Expensive Dates and Focus on Friendships

Marianne Simpson, a 26-year-old teacher in New York City, has grown tired of the dating scene. Over the past year, she has spent $100 to $200 a month on dating, but the cost of going out to bars and restaurants has added up. Simpson would rather spend that money on outings with friends instead of talking to someone for a couple of hours.

It turns out Simpson is not alone among Gen Zers in prioritizing financial constraints, romance, and socializing. Rising living expenses and the prevalence of social media have led many young people to turn away from traditional dating and focus on friendships. US Surgeon General Vivek Murthy has even described loneliness among young people as an ‘epidemic.’

Kellie Ammerman, CEO of the matchmaking company Tawkify, explains that social media has intensified feelings of exclusion, inadequacy, and loneliness among Gen Zers. Consequently, many are putting more effort into developing platonic relationships and engaging in nonromantic social activities to combat loneliness. Traditional dinner dates have been replaced by activities like walking in the park or grabbing a coffee, as young people become more intentional about who they spend their time with.

Financial constraints also play a role in Gen Z’s shift away from dating. Inflation and rising prices have made it more challenging for young people to afford traditional dates and pay for dating app memberships. Monthly fees for dating apps can be daunting, with some premium plans costing as much as $500 a month. In a time when the average cost of a dinner and movie date is $160, many Gen Zers are searching for budget-friendly alternatives like staying at home and doing activities that don’t require spending much money. Student loan payments also weigh heavily on young Americans, forcing them to delay major milestones like buying a house or getting married.

Despite these financial and social pressures, Gen Zers are finding creative ways to meet people and form connections. Many are embracing free or low-cost social events that provide opportunities to mingle with others and potentially find romantic partners. Platforms like Saturday and We Met IRL are focused on bringing people together for casual hangouts and speed-dating events, respectively. These unconventional alternatives offer a more organic and authentic way to meet people compared to traditional dating apps.

Source: Loneliness and inflation are pushing Gen Z away from dating