When it comes to dating, Gen Z is asking: "Why bother?"
Many factors are driving this. Young adults born after 1996 are more risk averse than other generations. They're drinking less and having less sex. Many Gen Z-ers also lack confidence in their "in-real-life" social skills, a toll of pandemic quarantines and life lived online. Some wonder if dating is even worth the effort. Why risk rejection and emotional rollercoasters?
In a terrific series of stories, USA TODAY Wellness reporters Rachel Hale, Nicole Fallert and Charles Trepany explored the many dimensions of Gen Z's dating angst. Is it here to stay? Maybe. But you might be interested hear what Ellie Williams, a 26-year-old TikToker, has to say about it. As Rachel Hale writes, Williams is on a quest to get Gen Z to embrace "in-real-life" relationships.
Today, I'm highlighting our newsroom's great reporting on Gen Z's relationship qualms, the mysteries of tsunamis, Ghislaine Maxwell's push for a pardon, a not-so-Kentucky bourbon and a travel tip.
Anxiety around dating is evident in data from companies like Hinge. More than half of Gen Z daters on Hinge's dating app say concerns about rejection have soured them on relationships.
