Graphic By: Roan Lovinger
Situationships are full of undefined moments. Between grazing fingertips and stolen glances lies a gray space of unanswered questions and hurt.
A situationship is a relationship that lies between the labels of a friendship and a romantic relationship. It is often characterized by the emotional intimacy, quality time, and physical or sexual qualities of a romantic relationship, minus the label.
Situationships are a popular phenomenon for Gen Z, a shift from the monogamous tendencies of previous generations; The National Library of Medicine reports that Gen X’s median age for getting married was 22.9 and 24.7, for men and women respectively, and Statista states that 40% of millennials are married by ages 23-38.
Gen Z’s disinterest in dating according to Kristina García in her 2023 article for Penn Today seems to be a by-product of “sexual FOMO”, when young people are more likely to explore casual relationships with multiple people, rather than being committed to one person. A YPulse report from 2023 showed that 76% of Gen Z respondents were currently single, with 29% of all Gen Z respondents never having been in a committed relationship.
This low-commitment style has its downsides: according to Choosing Therapy, a loosely defined relationship can result in anxiety and depression, which can be jarring for those who aren’t emotionally prepared for the complicated dynamic. This may be caused by insecurities about reciprocation of feelings, or the mental and emotional turmoil of a relationship with unclear boundaries or a lack of loyalty.
Those more “prone to feelings of self doubt” or struggle with self image may struggle in these relationships. According to a survey by BetterHelp.com, 70% of Gen Z participants reported “feeling
anxious about their love lives”, a result of both casual hookup culture and situationships.
Conversely, situationships have the potential to be a freeing outlet for romantic interests not tied to responsibility, as they provide the freedom of romantic pursuits without the commitment associated with established relationships. This can be beneficial for those exploring their sexualities or careers.
In a generation that struggles to find job opportunities in this economy, as well as the worsening of affordability in housing and the strain of student debt, Gen Z’s reality is a lot different compared to older generations.
Associative Sociology Professor Arielle Kuperberg says that “people are taking longer and longer to settle down because they’re taking longer and longer to reach financial stability,” and that Gen Z prioritizes “solid financial foundation as individuals, which is lengthening the path toward marriage.”
Although the reflection that situationships cast on the general public is one of commitment phobia and unavailability, perhaps it’s something else: a commitment to ourselves and self betterment instead.
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