Young Americans are avoiding dating because of high living costs and unstable job prospects. In New York in particular, some say even starting to date feels burdensome because a single date can cost hundreds of thousands of won.
On the 3rd (local time), the New York Times (NYT), citing a BMO Financial Group survey, reported that Generation Z in the United States (born 1997–2011) spends an average of more than $200 (280,000 won) on a single date. The survey items included transportation and appearance-related expense such as clothing.
Experts said young people do not shun relationships, but are cutting back on dates because of the burden of living and housing costs. A survey by Brigham Young University's Wheatley Institute and the Family Studies Institute of unmarried Americans ages 22–35 nationwide also found that more than half cited lack of money as the biggest obstacle to dating.
In New York, where prices are especially high, a single dinner costs $130, a cocktail $20, and a movie ticket $28. The subscription fee for the online dating app "Hinge" is about $30 a month.
Zohran Mamdani, the New York city council member, also said in a media interview, "New York is expensive to live in, but it costs even more to love."
Some even feel that marriage and childbirth are far off because of living costs. Hein Thet Oo, 27, who lives in New York, attends graduate school and works during breaks to cover food and rent. After coming to the United States from Myanmar, Oo also made an expenditure of $7,000 for legal expense required to apply for asylum.
Oo said, "I need to secure a stable job and financial foundation first," adding, "Dating or starting a family cannot even make the list of things to consider because of other problems that need to be solved."
Grace Sakellariou, 27, who lives in Queens with her twin sister, also wants marriage and childbirth but said she feels it is realistically difficult to achieve. Sakellariou said, "I can't even think about how to cover the wedding expense," adding that high prices are keeping young people from moving to the next stage.
People already in relationships are also cutting date expense. Daniel Rosen, 27, a software engineer, said that when dining out with a partner, food, drinks, and tips add up to more than $150, so they cook at home more often. Rosen said, "Now we can't even do a fancy date once a month."
Brigham Young University professor Brian Willoughby explained that it may be hard for older generations—who met partners naturally through family, religious institutions, or bars—to understand the burdens young people feel today.
Willoughby said, "Young people today consider not only dinner expense but also the time and money spent using apps to find someone, as well as the cost of clothes."