CANTIKA.COM, Jakarta - When it comes to romantic relationships, Gen Z approaches love differently than previous generations. The classic meet-cutes at grocery stores or chance encounters in the park have largely been replaced by digital interactions through dating apps and social media.
A noticeable disconnect exists between Gen Z adults and traditional romantic love. Many young people now prioritize platonic connections, and today’s dating landscape makes that choice more accessible.
Beyond just the influence of dating apps, factors like emotional immaturity and lack of interpersonal understanding between young men and women also play a role.
Yet, according to a recent survey by the explorationship app Flure, Gen Z is actively reshaping what relationships look like in today’s world.
Gen Z Seeks Exploration, Not Relationships
Flure's survey revealed that 51 percent of Gen Z respondents acknowledge that traditional dating is an outdated concept, while 61 percent said that Gen Z would redefine relationships to be less restrictive. Meanwhile, 42 percent of Gen Z respondents stated that they prefer label-free relationships.
Instead, adult Gen Z prefer to prioritize meeting new people, exploring relationships, and seeing where it goes from there.
Flure refers to this growing trend as 'explorationship', a phase of exploring connections without the pressure of strict labels or traditional relationship milestones. This reluctance to define relationships is part of the challenge Gen Z faces in today’s dating scene.
Many young adults have voiced their frustration over how hard it is to build authentic connections, often pointing to the general reluctance to commit or clearly define relationship status as a major barrier.
Gen Z, in particular, has been candid online about their challenges with vulnerability. Instead of expressing their emotions openly, they often choose to hold back or avoid confronting their feelings altogether.
Gen Z is Leaving Dating Apps
Flure's survey found that 70 percent of Gen Z consider dating apps "lame," and only 6 percent of them want the apps to stay as they are.
Four out of 10 people admitted to being tired of endless swiping, while 1 in 6 said that the pressure to determine what they want from the start is the most annoying thing.
Likewise, in the D.A.T.E. (Data, Advice, Trends, and Expertise) report by Hinge in 2024, many Gen Z users cited the fear of rejection and feeling embarrassed as their main concerns.
It seems that dating apps are starting to lose their appeal among the younger generation, especially for women.
Many Gen Z women feel exhausted from sorting through men's profiles and ultimately disappointed because they seem emotionally immature.
The same applies to Gen Z men. Overall, it seems that we might be living in a world where men and women of this generation choose not to align with their emotions and vulnerability.
Dating Apps Might Disappear in Five Years
In an interview with Flure, psychologist Leah Levi predicted that dating apps might not exist in a few years.
"Just 20 years ago, dating apps didn't even exist, and using a 'dating website' was seen as lame, something for people who couldn't get lucky IRL," Levi said.
She continued, "We've come full circle: what was once the go-to for making a connection is now something many actively avoid. I believe that dating apps, as we know them, will disappear within five years — replaced by more human, real-life ways to meet, like parties, bars, or digital spaces that mimic them."
Levi emphasized that once dating apps are gone, young people won't need to spend time swiping and worrying about finding a partner. Dating apps do not fully represent a person's entire identity and personality. It's all trial and error.
Often, it takes a few months of chatting and dating through these apps before red flags or personality traits emerge that make you question the connection. When that happens, you're back to square one: reopening the app and repeating the cycle.
This constant loop is part of the reason why love and relationships have become such disillusioning experiences for many in Gen Z.
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