Why Gen Z disregard marriage, parenthood

Marriage is no longer seen an important aspect of life. What has contributed to the whole of this nightmare?

Many young people have made mental health their priority. Marriage comes along disagreements and fights, both physical and mental. The effects are always worse than expected. The victims end up in a bad state like being physically injured or even commiting suicide. Their mental health is not spared.

Many young people grew up witnessing all these. They therefore choose to live a more peaceful life as an individual without having to undergo any of these.

Cultural shifts have significantly contributed to the decline in marriage and parenthood rates among today's generation. Traditional gender roles have changed, leading to different expectations in relationships. Women have more educational and career opportunities and are less dependent on marriage for financial security. On the other hand, some men feel uncertain about their roles in family life, leading to delays in commitment.

Social norms and attitudes have changed. Marriage and parenthood are no longer seen as the only makers of a successful life. Casual relationships and even choosing to remain single or childless are increasingly accepted. The stigma around being unmarried or childless has diminished significantly.

Financial stability is considered to be one of the core factors that make a marriage unshakeable. Today, financial independence is really on the rise yet our economy is trashed. Most of young people lack stable sources of income. Even if they have, it can never be enough to sustain a whole family. Today's generation is now forced to live an independent life which they can be able to cater for themselves and their basic needs without being bothered by anybody.

Cohabitation trends are on the rise in today's generation. The young people choose to live together for intimacy without being married. They spend time together and share expenses and evaluate compatibility.

Cohabitation is seen easy compared to getting married with the aim of starting a family. It gives us the kind of freedom that is limited by parenthood.

Focus on education and career have also contributed to many young people not getting engaged and getting married. Schooling all the way from kindergarten to high school and later in higher institutions have taken most of the years of the young people. When it is already the required time to get married, most of them are still focused on their careers to see their dreams come true. The pride and prestige that comes with academic success has never given them a time to contemplate on getting married and starting a family. Many will opt to live like that due to the achievements they have earned themselves.

Today's generation wants time for themselves. They fear being trapped in marriage and parenthood without experiencing life of their own. A lot of them manifest about their careers and travel around the world. They need to access luxuries before getting into marriage. The probability is so high and it is crystal clear that many will not choose to eventually leave their comfortable and luxurious life just for the sake of marriage.

While marriage and parenthood remain important for many, they are no longer seen as essential or inevitable in most people of today's generation. Instead, personal happiness, financial stability and life experiences often take precedence.