Why Young Adults Are Giving Up on Love and How EdTech Is Harming Student Learning-The Dating Recession: Why Young Adults Are Giving Up on Love

Only one-third of young adults are actively dating today, even though most desire serious, long-term committed relationships. Brian Willoughby, PhD, Associate Professor in the School of Family Life at Brigham Young University, blames low confidence in dating skills, reduced face-to-face interaction during adolescence thanks to social media, and the complete erosion of clear dating norms. He said the stakes extend beyond personal happiness; declining dating threatens marriage rates, fertility, and overall family formation in society.