Gen Z risk aversion hampers dating in the United States

A new study finds that many members of Generation Z are unusually risk‑averse, which experts say is undermining their romantic relationships. In the United States only about one‑third of men and one‑fifth of women aged 22‑35 feel confident approaching a potential partner, according to research by Brigham Young University's Wheatley Institute and the Institute for Family Studies.

Psychology professor Paul Eastwick notes that fear of rejection is a long‑standing human trait, while Harvard educator Richard Weissbourd stresses that forming close relationships is essential for personal development. Researchers link the heightened caution to professional and financial stress, high rates of loneliness and depression, and the pervasive scrutiny of social‑media platforms that turn personal rejection into a public spectacle.

Justice‑studies professor Gabriel Rubin, who interviewed 108 Gen Z respondents, observes that constant judgment and comparison on platforms like TikTok amplify privacy concerns and overthinking. The findings were presented at the Society for Risk Analysis’ 2025 annual meeting in Washington, DC, highlighting a broader cultural shift that may exacerbate the loneliness epidemic.