Times are constantly changing. We tend to become comfortable with established norms, and relationships, including marriage, are no exception. When I was growing up, divorce was rare, so rare that I could count the number of divorced people I knew on one hand. Relationships were generally straightforward and often expected to evolve into marriage. However, today the landscape looks rather different.   

When I notice those in relationships, many almost seem to lack the name or label of “relationship.” Couples are together, yes, but not quite fully present, and perhaps not indefinitely so. These arrangements also appear to be by choice of both parties in such a relationship. This seems far more common (though certainly not exclusively) within younger generations. This practice of not labeling a relationship with any official title, or people choosing to be together though with no intent to get married, has been colloquially named a “situationship.” There is no real science to it, and these situations are what they are. Yet it may be an indicator that our times, or at least what we traditionally understand as relationships, are indeed changing. 

The Elements at Play

If relationships are indeed evolving, there are, of course, many reasons why. For both the young and even the not-so-young, this world can be challenging. We simply cannot ignore that factors such as the current or future state of the economy will play a role in how we interact with one another. Life is expensive, and due to economic uncertainty as well as rising costs, more people are focused on their daily living and managing expenses, and if they can, save money for themselves, and perhaps are not as interested in having an official dependent or financial partner.   

We cannot say that money and earning a living are the only factors at hand. Traditional marriage and relationships do indeed still exist. Yet some people have experienced pain in their past concerning relationships and may not be fully willing to commit to that level again. Wounds may heal, yet scars can remain. Many of us have been through it.   

Being in relationships, getting married, and having kids, all of these things require commitment, Yet the very word “commitment” now appears to be undergoing a redefinition. These days, commitment can also mean choosing to remain single or engaging in non-traditional (whatever we once considered traditional) relationships that emphasize individual freedom as well as emotional satisfaction.

Where We Are Headed

Of course, not everyone wants to go it alone. Many still seek partnership for support, love, and shared purpose. But serious relationships—especially marriage—require time, compromise, and sacrifice. These factors can feel at odds with a culture that increasingly values individual goals and self-actualization. 

Additionally, advancements in technology and the widespread use of social media have significantly transformed the way relationships are initiated and sustained. We have adapted to meeting people in different, and yes, again, non-traditional ways. With this ease of connecting to potential partners, we may have crafted a field of more instant gratification, all with more options that may feel overwhelming at times, or at least changing how we view traditional relationships overall. More people may shy away from commitments that may not last or live up to their expectations, often opting instead for relationships that provide greater freedom and lower emotional stakes. 

Everyone is different. We cannot be certain what the future holds for relationships. Although it appears the new style is calling one’s own shots, labeling our relationships as we want to, or not labeling them as we want. All walks of life are becoming more permissible, so too may be the path of how we exist with one another.