#United States #Provo #Young Adults #Dating Recession #Relationship Skills

Understanding the Dating Drought

A new report titled "The Dating Recession: How Bad is It and What Can We Do?" has emerged from the Wheatley Institute and the Institute for Family Studies, and it uncovers an alarming trend: only one in three young adults in the United States are currently dating. This phenomenon is being termed a 'dating recession.' Despite the overwhelming majority—approximately 86%—of unmarried individuals aged 22 to 35 expecting to marry someday, many face substantial barriers in dating scenarios.

Key Findings

The State of Our Unions 2026 report indicates significant difficulties young adults encounter in initiating romantic relationships. Lead author Alan Hawkins notes the essential role that self-confidence plays in dating. Only about one-third of young men and one-fifth of young women feel equipped to approach a romantic interest. Additionally, financial constraints are prevalent, with over half of the respondents citing insufficient funds as a primary hindrance to dating.

An analysis of past dating experiences reveals that negative encounters heavily influence young adults’ attitudes towards future dating. Approximately 55% of respondents admitted that their previous breakups made them hesitant to start new relationships. Notably, it is essential to highlight that many young adults still desire to establish serious relationships rather than casual flings; 83% of women and 74% of men advocate for a dating culture centered on emotional connections.

The Statistics Speak

Further examination of the data shows that:

• - Only 30% of the surveyed group reported dating, either casually or exclusively.
• - 51% remained single yet expressed a desire to initiate a romantic relationship, more frequently seen among men (60%) compared to women (47%).
• - Respondents reported an average of three exclusive romantic partners throughout their lifetime, with 52% having experienced significant dating in the past.

Barriers and Aspirations

The report further highlights the aspirational nature of young adults. There is a common desire for genuine connections and personal growth through serious dating. Yet the pursuit of physical intimacy shows marked gender differences—55% of males indicated this as a dating purpose, while only 35% of females did the same. Additionally, about two-thirds of participants underlined that marriage remains an important life goal, even if immediate prioritization of marriage is low, with just 47% stating it is a current priority.

Interestingly, there seems to be no consensus on the ideal age for marriage. While many consider 30 as an ideal age, the expected median age for marriage sits at 33 for women and nearly 35 for men.

Bridging the Gap

The findings elaborate on a critical gap that exists between marital expectations and dating skills among young adults. Brad Wilcox, another author of the report, emphasizes the need for programs teaching healthy dating skills to young people, a task that currently receives inadequate attention.

The study indicates that many young adults seek education on how to establish connections, navigate emotional ups and downs, and make informed dating choices without feeling overwhelmed or fearful about commitment. It's crucial for dating education to evolve and align more closely with the real-life experiences of today’s youth.”

To truly tackle the challenge of the dating recession, it is essential to integrate educational resources that offer practical guidance—covering topics such as initiating conversation, effective communication strategies, and dealing with challenging dating experiences could foster healthier relationship development. Jason Carroll, co-author of the report, highlights the often-overlooked need for creative and engaging relationship education targeting the dating phase of young adults, thus paving a clearer path toward healthy, lasting relationships and marriages in the future.

For those interested in delving deeper into this compelling report, a comprehensive version is available at Wheatley Institute.