Gen Z, Millennials, Gen X & Boomers Have Very Different Expectations In Relationships
GalacticDreamer | Shutterstock The way Gen Zers and millennials approach dating and relationships varies greatly from Gen Xers and boomers.
Where older generations followed traditional paths and stuck to a timeline, younger people are changing that. Each age group has certain expectations in their relationships that depend on their unique values and needs.
Every generation has different expectations in their relationships
Boomers value commitment and a traditional timeline
Boomers lean more towards a traditional mold in their relationships, but there's nothing wrong with that. They strongly value commitment and clear labels, so a situationship isn't something they would ever have.
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While some Gen Z men are now more likely to want traditional gender roles in their relationships, this was the norm for boomers. This means the man goes to work while the woman stays home doing domestic duties.
To boomers, it was expected for them to get married young and start a family. They viewed love as something practical and stable. But as they've grown older, they're more focused on staying committed to their partner.
Gen X wants stability and independence in their relationships
Seeing how their parents were raised, Gen X didn't want to end up the same in their relationships. They watched their parents get divorced, but also had a lot of freedom growing up, which contributed to their own idea of a relationship.
Gen X got caught in between wanting to live in a world where they could be free, but also feeling the pressure of being expected to get married.
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According to therapist Kate Engler, Gen Xers were raised on a broken model. "Gen X men just needed to earn money and step up their parenting game, while Gen X women needed to 'do it all' so they could 'have it all,'" she explained.
Because of the trauma of this, Gen Xers now expect their relationships to have stability and independence. They don't want to feel burned out by trying to do everything.
Millennials want an equal partnership with shared values
Millennials don't view marriage as something they must do when they're young. Instead, it's something that happens if the time and person are right.
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Millennials expect them and their partner to have similar interests and values. They want a partner who is their equal, meaning duties and responsibilities are split, and that no one is in more control than the other.
They also see the importance of communication in their relationships and expect their partner to be open with them.
Gen Z expects emotional openness and the 'perfect' relationship
Gen Z's dating landscape is a bit different than other older generations. They tend to rely on dating apps and social media to find a potential partner.
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Because being online is such a big part of their lives, they expect their relationship to be perfect. That means taking couples photos to post online, portraying their relationships as amazing.
But what they really want is an emotional connection and openness. They've destigmatized mental health and want a partner who isn't afraid to be vulnerable.
Sophie Bagheri is a writer with a bachelor's degree in English and theatre who covers lifestyle topics.
