Millennials Were Taught 3 Things About Marriage That Already Sound Completely Outdated To Younger Generations
Miljan Zivkovic | Shutterstock Gen Z has their own interpretation of what makes a loving and happy marriage, and it's not what millennials have held as truth. They're pushing back on the traditional, for better or worse, notions because, according to these younger folks, it all feels a bit outdated.
Younger generations are far more willing to question unspoken relationship rules and walk away from situations that don't make them happy. As ideas about love and commitment continue to evolve, some of the things millennials learned about marriage already seem like they're from a different era entirely.
Younger generations are pushing back on these outdated traditions millennials were taught about marriage:
1. You stick it out no matter what
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Marriage is a sacred vow. At least, that's what millennials were always told. Once you say "I do," you're in it for the long haul, no matter what happens. And by long haul, that sometimes means dealing with whatever relationship chaos gets thrown their way. Marriage wasn't supposed to be easy, so if they were unhappy, the advice they heard most was usually to work harder and maybe book a little weekend getaway to let off some steam.
Younger generations, on the other hand, are likely to wonder if staying is actually the best option for them. There's a growing recognition that commitment and suffering don't have to be the same thing. Staying in a relationship just because you've already invested years into it doesn't necessarily make it a good marriage. Sometimes, working through problems is the right choice, but other times, the healthiest thing two people can do is go their separate ways.
2. Your spouse should be your top priority
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Once they got married, millennials were taught that their spouse became their person. Their best friend, their emergency contact, their plus-one to every event, and the person responsible for fulfilling all of their emotional needs. The idea was that a strong marriage meant always putting their relationship first and making sacrifices for the good of the partnership.
There's no longer as much interest in making one person the center of their universe, at least to younger generations. They still want love and commitment, but they also want to have their own friends and interests outside of the relationship. Being married doesn't have to mean giving up on who you were and what you liked before.
3. Compromise means meeting in the middle
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Millennials were taught that compromise was the key to having a successful marriage. Everyone gives a little, nobody gets exactly what they want, and somehow that's supposed to mean the relationship is working. If they weren't occasionally giving something up, were they really compromising?
Younger generations are more likely to ask whether constantly meeting in the middle is actually making either person happy. One person's needs can't always be split right down the center, and repeatedly giving in to avoid an argument can turn into resentment quickly. Instead of focusing on who has to sacrifice what, there's more emphasis on talking about the situation and figuring out what each person genuinely needs.
Kayla Asbach is a writer with a bachelor's degree from the University of Central Florida. She covers relationships, psychology, self-help, pop culture, and human interest topics.
