‘Generation Z’ is the name given to the current UK age group from teenagers to 29, coming after ‘Millennials’, and raised in an atmosphere were mental health and relationships are studied in the classroom.
Yet far from being open, a new study into Gen Z openness has revealed that they are increasingly closed when it comes to discussing personal matters like sex, romantic partners, work salary and family life.
But despite not wanting to discuss these topics, dating website Ashley Madison found that Gen Z’ers are more comfortable with the concept of non-monogamy than previous generations.
Their ‘Decoding Gen Z Report’ revealed that 18-29 year-olds are the top age group signing up to their site and accounted for 40% of new members in 2022.
Ashley Madison Europe managing director Christoph Kraemer said: “Gen Z is a generation of contradictions according to our report.
“While 41% of them feel people only publicise their romantic relationships to gain outside validation, 27% do so gladly because it feels like an achievement to them. Similar differences also exist between the genders.
“Twenty-one percent of our female members do not believe they can be happy and monogamous at the same time, compared to 15% of the men.
“And almost two out five female members consider themselves to always having been non-monogamous compared to only five % of the men.
“When women choose and embrace a non-monogamous lifestyle, they do so proudly, wholeheartedly, and visibly.” According to the company’s report – carried out by YouGov among 663 Ashley Madison members – 60 per cent of Gen Z refuse to discuss their sex life at home.
Forty-five% will not discuss their salary and 41% are not comfortable talking about their romantic relationships. One in three (35%) refuse to talk about their family life, while 35% don’t like the topic of their living expenses coming up.
Another third are not willing to broach the subject of previous life traumas and a similar number keep a lid of their mental health issues, if they have any.
Psychotherapist Lucy Beresford, who worked with Ashley Madison on the ‘Decoding Gen Z’ report, said: “A primary reason why people are looking for secondary partners is not just to have great sex but to show up in a relationship as a different version of themselves.
“This version could be one where they are adored more, or validated more, or more fun. “Because of this, many people who embrace a non-monogamous lifestyle are keen not to bring their ‘other life’ or even previous relationships into this secondary relationship.
“And by avoiding topics which they imagine might otherwise cause friction or disputes or even actual rejection, they keep things light and fun.”
