Gen Z is staying in for the foreseeable future, thankyouverymuch.
A recent study by Princeton professor Patrick Sharkey reveals that Americans are spending 10% more time at home compared to 2003, with younger adults driving much of that shift. Gen Z, who mostly came of age during the COVID-19 pandemic, has embraced a homebody lifestyle in a way no other generation has.
Many speculate this is due to the increase of remote work, but according to Sharkey’s research it’s much more than that: it’s mostly about both cost and comfort.
Rising costs of food, drinks, gas, etc. have made casual social hangouts into events people need to budget for. That means friends — especially Gen Z — are cutting back on the expenses associated with going out by hosting more dinners and social events at home. And that’s just the financial aspect. Lingering social anxiety following the pandemic has also been a source of discomfort for Gen Z. Many would rather stay in the familiarity of their home than venture out into the unknown. In fact, Gen Z participants in the study shared that social interactions in public spaces like bars can feel daunting, particularly for those who became accustomed to isolation during the lockdowns.
This doesn’t mean they’re totally alone; rather, young adults in their 20s are increasingly turning to smaller, intimate gatherings in place of the traditional nightlife scene. However, this trend does go hand-in-hand with the loneliness epidemic America is currently facing. By limiting the opportunity to meet people, Gen Z is isolating themselves from potential relationships and connection.
As pastor Levi Lusko explained to RELEVANT, making a more convenient lifestyle limits relationships, which can lead to feelings of loneliness.
“Technology and the modern age has allowed us to build lives where we don’t talk to strangers anymore,” he said. “It makes sense how we got here when you think about it like this: maybe you used to go to SoulCycle, but then you got a Peloton. So now, you’re seeing people on the screen, but you can’t go get a latte after that class. It’s become transactional.”
