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Welcome to the dating recession: Why young Americans are giving up on love

February 14, 2026
Welcome to the dating recession: Why young Americans are giving up on love

Remember "Netflix and chill?" About 10 years ago, the slang emerged like a Gen Z mating call: "Wanna come over and … hang out?"

Maybe it wasn’t the most elegant dating scene, but at least it was a dating scene. According to new study from the Wheatley Institute and the Institute for Family Studies, today’s young adults are in a "dating recession" — 2026 is all Netflix and no chill.

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