Redefining "I Do": Marital Attitudes Among Generation Z

This thesis attempts to explain the attitudes of Generation Z toward marriage. In a larger sense, to also understand previous generational cohorts’ marital values to discover that these values are shaped by changes in technology, individualism, and societal norms. This thesis also will lean into Twenge’s framework that poses that marital values are not influenced by individual choices, but rather an overarching generational influence. There is heavy influence of technology discussed as this generation are the first to grow up as digital natives, and the introduction of online dating has expanded their relationship landscape for better or for worse. A questionnaire completed by the University of South Carolina students is conducted to grasp a better sense of Generation Z’s marital attitudes and extensive research is used to complement the findings. Overall, it seems that Gen Z is acceptive of cohabiting, establishing financial stability, and pursuing career goals due to delaying marriage. A subculture of values is discovered after analysis of the survey questions, revealing that certain micro-level influences, such as religion, socioeconomic status, and education, will create diverse opinions, but the overall generation’s marital values are still attributed to the larger context of the changing environment.