Gen Z’s fear of rejection and risk aversion is affecting their dating lives, experts say. Many young people are facing professional and financial pressures, high rates of loneliness and depression, and now fears of a relationship derailing their lives.

Expert Insights

According to Paul Eastwick, professor of psychology at the University of California, Davis, people have always faced the fear of rejection, but today’s young people are facing unique challenges. “What if I’m rejected? What if I disclose something intense and personal and it’s thrown back in my face?”

Richard Weissbourd, an American child and family psychologist and senior lecturer at the Harvard Graduate School of Education, notes that learning to have a good relationship is a really important task. “Whether it’s romantic or not, just learning how to have very close relationships is one of the best things about being human,” he said.

Gabriel Rubin, a professor of justice studies at Montclair State University in New Jersey, found that Gen Z perceives more dangers in life than previous generations. His research, yet to be published, was presented in December at the Society for Risk Analysis’ 2025 SRA Annual Meeting in Washington, DC.

The Impact of Social Media

The popularity of social media has turned rejection into a public spectacle, beyond one’s friend group, school, community, or neighborhood. This has led to a lack of interaction, which is an essential part of forming relationships, according to Eastwick.

Dating apps have also changed the way people approach relationships. Jayden, a 25-year-old living in St. Petersburg, Florida, said she felt like guys were bolder when hitting on her over the apps but didn’t show that same confidence in public.

Original reporting: KTVZ (Central Oregon) — read the source article.