The state of dating report: How Gen Z is transforming sexuality and relationships

Groundbreaking insights from a Feeld and Kinsey Institute study

Kinsey Institute

Feeld, the dating app for the curious, in collaboration with Dr. Justin Lehmiller of The Kinsey Institute, has released a groundbreaking report, "The State of Dating: How Gen Z is Redefining Sexuality and Relationships." Released on World Sexual Health Day under the theme #PositiveRelationships, this report takes a deep dive into how Gen Z—shaped by global instability, digital immersion, and evolving cultural scripts—are shaping their approach to dating and sexuality. 

After analyzing the latest data from Feeld’s diverse community and drawing insights from broader Kinsey Institute research, this new report reveals how Gen Z is carving out its own paths in sexuality, embracing fluid identities, and reimagining traditional relationship structures to reflect their complex realities. Dr. Lehmiller examines broader generational trends, attitudes and behaviors towards sexuality and relationships that vary for Gen Z, Millennial, Gen X, and Boomer adults.

The contrast is most visible between the youngest and the oldest of the studied generations – for instance, Gen Z’s romanticized views on monogamy vs. Boomers’ preference for a casual friends-with-benefits structure. 

Key Findings

Monogamy

• Despite the common perception that Gen Z is moving away from traditional relationship structures, monogamy actually emerges as the most preferred relationship style at 23% for Feeld’s Gen Z Members where only 15% prefer a non-monogamous relationship.

  • This stands in contrast to Millennials and Gen X, where ethical non-monogamy is favored by 24% and 27% respectively.
  • Meanwhile, monogamy is preferred by 16% of Millennials and only 9% of Gen X.
  • 27% of Boomers prefer friends with benefits, versus just 12% who prefer monogamy.

• 81% of Gen Zers fantasize about monogamy, with 44% fantasizing about it often—nearly twice as much as older generations.

Sexual and Gender Fluidity

• 59% of Gen Z Feeld Members report a sexual identity other than heterosexual, while 18% identify as gender diverse.

  • These figures are significantly higher than national averages reported by Gallup and Pew, where nearly 1 in 5 Gen Z adults identify as LGBTQ.

• Feeld Members demonstrate significant fluidity in sexual and gender identities, with 10% of Gen Zers reporting a change in gender identity since joining the app, and 18% reporting a change in sexual identity.

  • This trend aligns with Kinsey Institute findings, which indicate that younger generations are increasingly open to exploring and redefining their identities over time.

Kink Exploration

• 55% of Gen Zers on Feeld have discovered a new kink since joining the app, making them the most explorative generation in this regard.

  • In comparison, 49% of Millennials, 39% of Gen X, and 33% of Boomers reported similar discoveries.

• This trend mirrors broader research showing that Gen Z is leading the rise in kink and BDSM interests, with 56% of Gen Z reporting BDSM fantasies according to Dr. Justin Lehmiller’s research, compared to just 12% of Boomers.

Contextual Analysis

Gen Z’s approach to monogamy and fluid identities reflects a reimagining of traditional values through a contemporary lens. With the Feeld community serving as the more progressive and accepting of emerging cultural shifts, Gen Zers as a whole are leading the charge in demonstrating how sexual and gender identities are becoming part of people’s evolving journeys rather than fixed points.

"The data from Feeld Members offers a fascinating glimpse into how Gen Z is redefining relationships. Their openness to exploring more fluid ways of being, coupled with an unexpected affinity for monogamy, suggests a generation that is simultaneously challenging and embracing tradition,” said Dr. Justin Lehmiller, Kinsey Institute. “What is also striking is how, compared to the national average, the Feeld community seems to be a lot more open to exploring, defining, and redefining who they really are, which helps advance our work on understanding where sexuality and relationships are headed within a broader cultural context."

Implications for the Future

“Feeld is non-prescriptive by design, intentionally maintaining a space for exploration without judgment. We build the app with and for our Members - they are the ones who truly shape the future of dating, self-exploration, and relationships,” said Ana Kirova, CEO of Feeld. “For me, the essence of the insights here is that each person’s and every generation’s evolution is constant and often unpredictable. I hope that in seeing these discoveries, we all feel inspired to hold space for our shared human experience in all its fluidity.”

As Gen Z continues to redefine the landscape of sexuality and relationships, this report captures a pivotal moment in their journey of self-discovery. The findings highlight a generation that is navigating the fluidity of identity and relationship styles with a blend of tradition and modernity, and in doing so, they are reshaping societal norms.

Read the full report here to explore the findings in more detail.

 

About the Kinsey Institute at Indiana University

For over 75 years, the Kinsey Institute has been the premier research institute on human sexuality and relationships and a trusted source for evidence-based information on critical issues in sexuality, gender, reproduction, and well-being. The Kinsey Institute's research program integrates scholarly fields including neuroscience, psychology, public health, anthropology, history, and gender studies. Kinsey Institute outreach includes traveling art exhibitions, public scholarships, research lectures, and a human sexuality education program. Visit our website kinseyinstitute.org and follow us on LinkedIn.

About Feeld

Feeld is the dating app for the curious; those open to experiencing people and relationships in new ways. Founded in 2014 by Ana Kirova and Dimo Trifonov after questioning the status quo of their own relationship, they were inspired to challenge cultural scripts around gender, sexuality, and dating on a global scale. Feeld’s ever-evolving platform creates a safer space online and IRL for people to explore their curiosities outside of existing blueprints and find meaningful human connections of all kinds. Feeld has led with a progressive mindset since its inception, pioneering a remote-first work model with a globally distributed team. With over 20 sexuality and gender options in-app and growing, Feeld is a space for the experiences that make us feel alive and most intimately connected to ourselves and others. Learn more at www.feeld.co.

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Method of Research

Survey

Subject of Research

People

Article Title

The State of Dating: How Gen Z is Redefining Sexuality and Relationships

Article Publication Date

4-Sep-2024