{"id":6148,"date":"2026-08-23T22:49:04","date_gmt":"2026-08-23T22:49:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/tmbglobal.news\/index.php\/2026\/08\/23\/college-kids-need-to-date-more\/"},"modified":"2026-08-23T22:49:13","modified_gmt":"2026-08-23T22:49:13","slug":"college-kids-need-to-date-more","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/tmbglobal.news\/index.php\/2026\/08\/23\/college-kids-need-to-date-more\/","title":{"rendered":"College kids need to date more"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><\/p>\n<div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In recent years, studies have found that young adults are dating less than they used to. In 2025, <a href=\"https:\/\/ifstudies.org\/blog\/todays-young-adults-are-in-a-dating-recession\">31%<\/a> of young adults were in active relationships. Multiple factors are contributing to this phenomenon, including society\u2019s general <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2026\/03\/29\/style\/marriage-decline-delay.html\">deemphasis of marriage<\/a> and romance, increased <a href=\"https:\/\/www.huffpost.com\/entry\/college-students-are-not-dating_b_9557580\">fear of vulnerability<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/health\/mind\/social-anxiety-since-covid-survey\/\">hindered social skills<\/a> post-pandemic.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">These reasons suggest that dating is a sought-after but unattained goal among young adults; to be sure, the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pewresearch.org\/short-reads\/2024\/02\/15\/among-young-adults-without-children-men-are-more-likely-than-women-to-say-they-want-to-be-parents-someday\/\">majority<\/a> of them still seek marriage. However, these factors alone fail to encompass the whole story. The thread that might explain this decline is a new cultural affirmation of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.psychologytoday.com\/us\/blog\/a-funny-bone-to-pick\/202605\/solo-maxxing-and-the-embrace-of-singlehood\">singlehood<\/a>: the idea is that learning to be content with ourselves is necessary before embarking on a romantic relationship.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">On paper, this is an understandable line of reasoning, but this attitude does not <a href=\"https:\/\/www.charliehealth.com\/post\/seven-psychological-effects-of-being-single-for-a-long-time\">always lead<\/a> to long-term romantic success. Wanting to figure out one\u2019s life before dating is theoretically admirable, but it\u2019s only through the experience of putting yourself out there \u2014 and failing \u2014 that you\u2019ll learn how to actually thrive in a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cnbc.com\/2022\/10\/31\/failing-fast-is-the-key-to-dating-according-to-a-therapist.html\">successful relationship<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Romantic relationships are <a href=\"https:\/\/www.childtrends.org\/publications\/unique-aspects-of-adolescent-and-young-adult-romantic-relationship-attitudes-experiences-and-quality\">formative experiences<\/a> that are important for young people to develop interpersonal skills.\u00a0<\/p>\n<aside class=\"scaip scaip-1    \">\n\t\t<\/aside>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Failed relationships can be especially instructive, but some young people may have <a href=\"https:\/\/www.reachlink.com\/advice\/relationship\/how-unrealistic-expectations-breed-relationship-resentment\/\">unrealistic expectations<\/a> \u2014 many see breakups as a sign that their relationship was a <a href=\"https:\/\/mashable.com\/article\/mourning-lost-time-breakups-relationships\">waste of time<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This is a flawed way of approaching love. While it\u2019s understandable to be hurt over a failed relationship you expected to last, these failures ultimately serve as learning experiences, teaching us about ourselves and how we operate in relationships \u2014 our strengths, insecurities, needs and <a href=\"https:\/\/my.clevelandclinic.org\/health\/articles\/25170-attachment-styles\">attachment styles<\/a>. Through <a href=\"https:\/\/idrjournal.com\/articles\/e03025.pdf\">trial and error<\/a>, we learn our communication patterns; through different partners, we see what kinds of lifestyles, values and personalities we are <a href=\"https:\/\/pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/articles\/PMC7071359\/\">compatible<\/a> with \u2014 and the ones we\u2019re not. For example, in struggling to date an emotionally reserved person, you might learn that you prioritize pronounced affection.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Young adults, especially in <a href=\"https:\/\/onlinelibrary.wiley.com\/doi\/10.1111\/pere.12590\">college<\/a>, have broader romantic prospects than most people. Of course, dating is <a href=\"https:\/\/www.verywellmind.com\/why-is-dating-so-hard-5220113\">not easy<\/a> for anyone, but our youth and relative lack of responsibilities make it less difficult. At college <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nbcnews.com\/feature\/college-game-plan\/not-just-hookups-dating-culture-thriving-college-campuses-survey-says-n518061\">campuses<\/a>, we are surrounded by a large number of single people who are similar to us, in age and life experience. While many relationships in college do not last forever \u2014 due in part to <a href=\"https:\/\/research.upjohn.org\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1063&amp;context=up_policybriefs\">relocation<\/a> and post-college <a href=\"https:\/\/stellapsychiatry.com\/posts\/after-college-graduation-navigating-the-transition-into-adult-life\/\">transitions<\/a> \u2014 it\u2019s still in these earlier years that we can most freely learn about our romantic quirks. Plus, the earlier we have these experiences, the <a href=\"https:\/\/pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/articles\/PMC10345993\/\">better protected<\/a> we are from romantic failure later in life, where the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.verywellmind.com\/gray-divorce-8646068\">consequences<\/a> can be more devastating due to property, children and financial strain.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Sometimes, romantic relationships are discussed as though they are merely a \u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/www.researchgate.net\/publication\/390041692_Love_vs_Learning_Examining_the_Negative_Psychological_Effects_of_Romantic_Distraction_on_Academic_Performance\">distraction<\/a>\u201d from the busy lives of students. But wanting and valuing romance should not be treated as a moral failure. Toxic <a href=\"https:\/\/www.jmu.edu\/counselingctr\/self-help\/relationships\/codependency.shtml#:~:text=Codependency%20in%20relationships%20involves%20becoming,often%20having%20difficulties%20making%20decisions.\">codependency<\/a> \u2014 the emotional overreliance on another person, to the point it hinders one\u2019s ability to independently function \u2014 is a real problem, especially in college, where it might lead to <a href=\"https:\/\/pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/articles\/PMC9819681\/\">disrupted academic<\/a> performance. But it\u2019s entirely possible to strive for healthy relationships without falling into such behaviors \u2014 especially if you <a href=\"https:\/\/www.centerforgrowthandconnection.com\/blog\/how-to-avoid-codependency-in-a-new-relationship\">prioritize<\/a> alone time, self care practices like exercise and establish communication boundaries. In the same vein, it\u2019s not emotionally immature to feel <a href=\"https:\/\/www.psychologytoday.com\/us\/blog\/the-angry-therapist\/202408\/how-to-deal-with-loneliness-when-youre-single\">lonely<\/a> in the absence of a relationship, or to feel <a href=\"https:\/\/pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/articles\/PMC12340182\/\">pained<\/a> in one\u2019s dissolution. To feel deeply for someone else is evidence of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2026\/01\/02\/opinion\/americans-marriage-loneliness-love.html\">personhood<\/a>, and it should not be discouraged in its entirety.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Of course, there is some truth to the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.psychologytoday.com\/us\/blog\/meet-catch-and-keep\/202306\/10-reasons-being-single-is-an-excellent-option\">benefits<\/a> of being single, and, indeed, it would be unhealthy for one\u2019s happiness to be wholly reliant on being in a relationship. There is <a href=\"https:\/\/www.inspirethemind.org\/post\/the-growth-of-hyper-individualism-in-western-society\">rising stress<\/a> on the importance of independence. To some, this is only achieved by detaching from romantic partners. <a href=\"https:\/\/time.com\/5401028\/benefits-being-single-experts\/\">Doing so<\/a> can save money, limit drama and allow one to learn self-sufficiency.<\/p>\n<aside class=\"scaip scaip-2    \">\n\t\t<\/aside>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">With respect to self-sufficiency, it\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.psychologytoday.com\/us\/blog\/my-side-the-couch\/202203\/why-you-need-be-happy-alone-be-close-another-person\">often said<\/a> that if you\u2019re not happy alone, you won\u2019t be happy in a relationship. As a result, many feel obligated to work on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theleague.com\/career-compatibility-report\/#are-you-in\">developing<\/a> their careers, friendships and other areas of their lives before putting themselves out there romantically.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">However, in excess, this attitude can be detrimental \u2014 the desire to have achieved one\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.huffpost.com\/entry\/dont-wait-till-youre-perfect-to-date_b_3314371\">idealized life<\/a> before dating, often to mitigate the risk of failure, ultimately suppresses romantic opportunities. Sometimes, in pursuing <a href=\"https:\/\/mindfulcenter.org\/the-pressure-to-be-self-sufficient-when-hyper-independence-masks-codependency\/\">complete self-reliance<\/a>, we can close ourselves off from relationships that might have been healthy or fruitful. We might even become <a href=\"https:\/\/www.psychologytoday.com\/us\/blog\/social-instincts\/202501\/3-signs-youre-too-independent-to-be-in-a-relationship\"><em>too<\/em> independent<\/a>, isolating ourselves to an <a href=\"https:\/\/publichealth.tulane.edu\/blog\/effects-of-social-isolation-on-mental-health\/\">unhealthy<\/a> degree.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The fact of the matter is that personal growth is a never-ending journey. All the self-growth in the world will not result in a completely fixed, stable version of yourself. Perhaps it is true that we must take on a certain amount of personal maturation before being ready for a long-term relationship, but it is unhelpful to promote the idea that we must be entirely self-actualized before experimenting romantically, point-blank.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Long-term success should not be the only marker of whether a romantic relationship is fulfilling. As young people place higher expectations not only on their potential partners but on themselves, they prevent themselves from enjoying a relationship for what it can be. While being single is as respectable an option as any other, we should not let fear, perfectionism or unrealistic standards be the reasons we opt out of love. We should allow ourselves to explore romance, especially in our youth, even if it results in an eventual breakup. Love itself, even when impermanent, can be worth it. We learn about ourselves along the way.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>Maximus Craig is an Opinion Analyst who writes about student life, politics and campus culture. He can be reached at<\/em> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.michigandaily.com\/opinion\/columns\/college-kids-need-to-date-more\/mailto:maxcraig@umich.edu\"><em>maxcraig@umich.edu<\/em><\/a><em>.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n<aside class=\"scaip scaip-3    \">\n\t\t<\/aside>\n<aside>\n\t\t<\/aside>\n<p><h3 class=\"jp-relatedposts-headline\"><em>Related articles<\/em><\/h3>\n<\/p><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>In recent years, studies have found that young adults are dating less than they used to. In 2025, 31% of young adults were in active relationships. Multiple factors are contributing to this phenomenon, including society\u2019s general deemphasis of marriage and romance, increased fear of vulnerability and hindered social skills post-pandemic. These reasons suggest that dating [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":6149,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[18],"tags":[504,1166,666],"class_list":["post-6148","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-news","tag-college","tag-date","tag-kids"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/tmbglobal.news\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6148","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/tmbglobal.news\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/tmbglobal.news\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tmbglobal.news\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tmbglobal.news\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=6148"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/tmbglobal.news\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6148\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":6150,"href":"https:\/\/tmbglobal.news\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6148\/revisions\/6150"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tmbglobal.news\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/6149"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/tmbglobal.news\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=6148"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tmbglobal.news\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=6148"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tmbglobal.news\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=6148"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}