Gen Z Looks at Marriage and Divorce Differently

As Gen Z-ers hit their late 20’s, some have dipped their toes into marriage and discovered they didn’t like it as much as they thought they might. And while this group has some similarities to others seeking a divorce, as a group, there are some big differences from previous generations, as well.

Gen Z and Marriage 

The first thing to note about Gen Z is that they are apt to delay marriage longer than previous generations. The reasons for this are varied, and include:

• They prioritize education and employment goals;
• Women are less likely to depend on men financially;
• There is less romance in modern dating.

For some, deferring major moves and decisions has become a way of life. An underlying sense of dissatisfaction permeates as individuals neglect many areas of life, from health and relationships to creative expression and career. After surviving the pandemic, economic woes, and more, having a wait-and-see attitude about life seems reasonable. Their jobs, to a large degree, create anxiety and burnout instead of satisfaction. Only roughly half say their mental wellbeing is healthy, with many blaming their jobs for their unhappiness. Why commit to something else when previous commitments in other areas of life haven’t worked out as planned?

Over half of Gen Z-ers find no meaning in their jobs or learning activities, and are thus unmotivated. That leads to reduced drive and feelings of disassociation from the job. They describe themselves as hopeless and stuck, with no faith that hard work and sacrifice will lead to success. They look at older people who are stuck with unholy amounts of debt, companies who no longer commit to providing decent health care and pensions, and ask why they should bother.

The Gen Z “Story”

It all carries over to relationships. It seems that many Gen Z-ers are not putting much effort into developing romantic connections, with over half saying they budget nothing toward dating. Those that do marry feel uninhibited about announcing that their mental health and emotional needs aren’t being met, and they look for a quick out (This, they are decisive about). And since the marriages have been short and the accumulations of property minimal, it can be pretty easy to get out and move on. (Not surprisingly, many of these couples have put off having kids, so that divorce complications are eliminated.) Rather than viewing divorce as a failure of some kind, Gen Z-ers see it as simply another chapter in their life story. It is what it is.

Let’s Get it Done 

The experienced Springfield divorce attorneys at Courtney & Mills understand that every divorcing couple has unique circumstances and goals.  Whatever yours are, we can help. Schedule a confidential consultation in our Springfield office and let’s get it done!

Source:

forbes.com/sites/vibhasratanjee/2025/08/24/why-gen-z-is-delaying-major-life-events—and-what-it-means-for-work/