Gen Z has largely abandoned the idea that there’s a “right” path to sex and commitment. But Zoomers have so many options that they can struggle to know where to begin, Molly Langmuir reports. theatln.tc/mPln9Iv7
For years, the prevailing metaphor used to talk about early sexual experiences was that “first base” was a kiss; a “home run” represented intercourse. “Although my peers and I hardly required a lifetime commitment from a partner to have sex,” Langmuir writes, “I did take for granted that sexual encounters and relationships typically unfolded in a certain order, with clear steps.” Today, though, many young people consider the bases and the tidy progression they offer a relic.
Instead, the way Gen Z talks about sex and dating involves an “explosion of language” that has evolved into a novel form of communication, Langmuir argues. For some young people, wading through so many possibilities and timelines—the “talking stage,” situationships, flirtationships, and explorationships—can be stressful.
Experts told Langmuir that older generations tended to believe that security could be found in sticking to certain sexual norms and reaching milestones at certain times, which motivated people to push new relationships toward commitment or some sort of label. “Many Gen Zers think it’s safer to stay autonomous and unattached,” Langmuir writes.
The Atlantic
Gen Z has largely abandoned the idea that there’s a “right” path to sex and commitment. But Zoomers have so many options that they can struggle to know where to begin, Molly Langmuir reports. theatln.tc/mPln9Iv7
For years, the prevailing metaphor used to talk about early sexual experiences was that “first base” was a kiss; a “home run” represented intercourse. “Although my peers and I hardly required a lifetime commitment from a partner to have sex,” Langmuir writes, “I did take for granted that sexual encounters and relationships typically unfolded in a certain order, with clear steps.” Today, though, many young people consider the bases and the tidy progression they offer a relic.
Instead, the way Gen Z talks about sex and dating involves an “explosion of language” that has evolved into a novel form of communication, Langmuir argues. For some young people, wading through so many possibilities and timelines—the “talking stage,” situationships, flirtationships, and explorationships—can be stressful.
Experts told Langmuir that older generations tended to believe that security could be found in sticking to certain sexual norms and reaching milestones at certain times, which motivated people to push new relationships toward commitment or some sort of label. “Many Gen Zers think it’s safer to stay autonomous and unattached,” Langmuir writes.
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