I read an article recently, featured on Google News, about Gen Z and relationships. Included in the article was info on a 2023 poll from the Survey Center on American Life indicating that that 56 percent of Gen Z adults said they’d been in a romantic relationship at any point in their teen years, compared with 76 percent of Gen Xers and 78 percent of Baby Boomers. I thought this to be WONDERFUL news!
Gen Z and the Power of Self-Worth
One of the things I admire most about Gen Z is their unwavering sense of self-worth—one that isn’t contingent on being in a romantic relationship. Unlike past generations that often placed heavy societal pressure on finding a partner as a measure of success or fulfillment, this generation knows that their value comes from within. They have redefined what it means to live a meaningful and complete life, and I couldn’t be prouder of them for it.
Many Gen Zers were raised in environments that emphasized self-respect, emotional intelligence, and individuality. The shift toward gentle parenting—where understanding, communication, and emotional support replaced corporal punishment—has allowed them to develop a strong foundation of self-worth. They haven’t been conditioned to believe that love must be earned through suffering or self-sacrifice. Instead, they know they are inherently valuable as they are.
For young women, in particular, this shift is revolutionary. They are no longer taught that their greatest achievement is finding a man. They aren’t told that they must shrink themselves to be desirable, nor do they measure their success by their relationship status. They pursue their goals, passions, and dreams on their own terms, knowing that a relationship—if and when it happens—is an addition to their life, not the definition of it.
Gen Z stands as a generation that values independence, self-love, and personal growth above outdated societal expectations. They are proof that confidence and fulfillment don’t come from being chosen by someone else but from choosing themselves. And for that, I am incredibly proud.
