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Gen Z is Prioritizing Friendship Over Romance

Young people see friendships as just as meaningful—if not more—than romantic relationships, and they’re treating them with the same level of care…

Written and Edited by the YPulse Editorial Team

Aug 11 2025
North America

KEY TAKEAWAYS

The majority of young people see their friends as soulmates, not just support systems
For many, friendships feel more meaningful than romantic relationships—and some major dating platforms are catching on
They believe friendships should be nurtured and worked on just like romantic ones, including by going to therapy

Young people aren’t rushing into relationships the way older gens might have. For many Gen Z and Millennial singles, being partnered up isn’t the goal—it’s just one option. YPulse’s Dating & Relationships report shows 58% of single 13-39-year-olds agree, “Romantic relationships aren’t my priority right now.” Whether it’s because dating feels more complicated these days or because they simply haven’t met the right person, most aren’t stressing about finding “the one” any time soon. This doesn’t mean they’ve given up on love altogether, though. It just means they’re being more intentional with their time and energy—and in a lot of...