Derek Thompson

It turns out that young people just aren't dating at nearly the rates that previous generations were at this age. Just 56% of Gen Z adults have been in a romantic relationship during their teen and early 20-something years compared with over 70% of baby boomers and Gen Xers. That's according to the Survey Center on American Life, which you quoted in your Substack essay.

It turns out that young people just aren't dating at nearly the rates that previous generations were at this age. Just 56% of Gen Z adults have been in a romantic relationship during their teen and early 20-something years compared with over 70% of baby boomers and Gen Xers. That's according to the Survey Center on American Life, which you quoted in your Substack essay.

Kyla, why do you think Gen Z doesn't date?

Kyla, why do you think Gen Z doesn't date?

Kyla, why do you think Gen Z doesn't date?

Do we have evidence that young people, even into their 20s, are dating significantly less than previous generations? Or do we not yet know that to be a fact? Because there could be a story that teenagers are dating less But by the time the typical American is 25, 26, 27 years old, they're more or less as likely to date as any previous generation.

Do we have evidence that young people, even into their 20s, are dating significantly less than previous generations? Or do we not yet know that to be a fact? Because there could be a story that teenagers are dating less But by the time the typical American is 25, 26, 27 years old, they're more or less as likely to date as any previous generation.

Do we have evidence that young people, even into their 20s, are dating significantly less than previous generations? Or do we not yet know that to be a fact? Because there could be a story that teenagers are dating less But by the time the typical American is 25, 26, 27 years old, they're more or less as likely to date as any previous generation.

It's just that we've set back or delayed the average first age of first boyfriend, girlfriend, right? Do we have any evidence here suggesting that there's a clear story for the state of dating in people's mid-20s?

It's just that we've set back or delayed the average first age of first boyfriend, girlfriend, right? Do we have any evidence here suggesting that there's a clear story for the state of dating in people's mid-20s?

It's just that we've set back or delayed the average first age of first boyfriend, girlfriend, right? Do we have any evidence here suggesting that there's a clear story for the state of dating in people's mid-20s?

You mentioned that one reason why young people might be more loathe than previous cohorts to date is that there's higher rates of social anxiety. And as you've written about, there's higher rates of overall anxiety. Gen Z adults are consistently more likely than older generations, and Gen Z teens in particular, to say that they experience negative emotions almost or all of the time.

You mentioned that one reason why young people might be more loathe than previous cohorts to date is that there's higher rates of social anxiety. And as you've written about, there's higher rates of overall anxiety. Gen Z adults are consistently more likely than older generations, and Gen Z teens in particular, to say that they experience negative emotions almost or all of the time.

You mentioned that one reason why young people might be more loathe than previous cohorts to date is that there's higher rates of social anxiety. And as you've written about, there's higher rates of overall anxiety. Gen Z adults are consistently more likely than older generations, and Gen Z teens in particular, to say that they experience negative emotions almost or all of the time.

There's been a big, frothy debate about why this is happening. How much of this is smartphones? How much of it is young people just depressed about the state of the world? How much of it is... memes being shared online that are essentially spreading depression like a kind of silicon-based plague. What do you think is going on?

There's been a big, frothy debate about why this is happening. How much of this is smartphones? How much of it is young people just depressed about the state of the world? How much of it is... memes being shared online that are essentially spreading depression like a kind of silicon-based plague. What do you think is going on?

There's been a big, frothy debate about why this is happening. How much of this is smartphones? How much of it is young people just depressed about the state of the world? How much of it is... memes being shared online that are essentially spreading depression like a kind of silicon-based plague. What do you think is going on?

What would be your full explanation for why Gen Z has such higher rates of anxiety than previous generations?

What would be your full explanation for why Gen Z has such higher rates of anxiety than previous generations?

What would be your full explanation for why Gen Z has such higher rates of anxiety than previous generations?