Politics, Polarization, and the Changing Face of Dating in America

By Izzy Aparicio

Young people today are dating and marrying less than any other generation. This has sparked a national conversation about shifting views, values,and priorities in America’s youth. The landscape of love is changing, and while some may see this trend as worrying, many factors contribute to this phenomenon.

Political Divide

Political beliefs are quickly becoming one of the most important deal-breakers for young people. Young men and women are more polarized with political
ideology than any other generation. According to a recent Change Research Study, there is a significant amount of cohesion among young women, with 41% identifying as progressive, in comparison to 24% of men under 35. Many in this age group regard their political viewpoints as unchangeable.

This difference in views creates barriers to potential relationships and can make it more challenging to find a compatible partner.

Social Media

Whereas older generations have shared their formative years experiencing many of the same things, millennials and Gen Z’s use of social media has allowed for more separate and isolated spaces. Because young people have a vast amount of media to engage with and learn from, they can find content about issues that they care about, such as feminism. Then the social media algorithm shows them similar content over and over. Now, say that men have this same algorithm, but with content that is anti-feminist. Both sides are being bombarded with information from sources that they agree with, and both sides resent the other. All of this creates even more polarization between the genders.

Is it a Cause for Concern?

While some express concerns over the erosion of traditional marriage and families, it is important to note that not all young people follow this trend, and many remain committed to the traditional ideals of dating and marriage.

In the end, this issue shows that this generation of young people are used to breaking the mold and want to find happiness differently, reflecting a society that values individual agency and personal fulfillment.