Generation Z increasingly “long for some tradition” when it comes to romance, a new report has suggested. 

In the Kinsey Institute’s State of Dating Report, the authors revealed that young people increasingly value more long-term relationships over free love and one-night stands. 

Speaking to The Hard Shoulder, dating expert Fergal Harrington said it is an attitude he often encounters among his clients. 

“There is sharing of partners that goes on, there’s a lot of promiscuity and it is very disposable, very transient,” he said. 

“People are very fed up of the 90 second sort of TikTok, Instagram story kind of lifestyle. 

“They long for some tradition, they long for something a bit more meaningful and long-term.” 

A number of dating apps on a phone. Image: Koshiro K / Alamy Stock Photo

Despite this, Mr Harrington said young people still have plenty of options when it comes to romance and fewer and fewer consider themselves heterosexual. 

“They’re trying to identify as lots of different things but also nothing,” he said.  

“They don’t want to be labelled - they like the shock value, it has to be said. 

“They do love the shock value and I think they’re trying to break away from the old rules and boundaries that were there in the past. 

“They want to say, ‘Been there, done that, I’ve tried this, I’ve tried that. I’m bi one day, then I’m gay this day, then I’m straight the next.’ It’s all so fluid.” 

'A bit too much pressure'

Speaking to Newstalk’s Henry McKean, one member of Generation Z said her friends are definitely more focused on settling down than having fun. 

“I think people are more looking for relationships and settling down a bit earlier than past generations,” she said. 

“I think for a lot of reasons, these days I think we have a lot more access. I think our relationships are a bit more intense. 

“We talk to each other nonstop - whether we’re together or talking over the phone or on Facetime. 

“With social media, we can see a lot more relationships failing… and we’re like, ‘I want better.’” 

Overall, she said she is a little concerned that “maybe there’s a bit too much pressure”.

“They see these great relationships on social media and they think, I want that for myself,” he said. 

“Younger people in our 20s, maybe we should be doing a bit less of that and dating other people but I think we do rush into it maybe a bit too quickly.” 

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Main image: A couple drinking coffee. Picture by: Alamy.com