The Great Romance Slump
The Atlantic explores the decline in romantic relationships and traditional courtship among young adults in the United States. The piece examines how modern dating experiences and social shifts have contributed to a 'romance slump.'
Why it matters
Understanding the decline in long-term partnerships provides insight into shifting social structures and the mental health landscape of the younger generation.
Why are so few young people finding love?
August 3, 2026, 6 AM ET Share Save About 90 seconds into a three-minute hug with a stranger, I began to think that dying alone might not be so bad after all. I’d come to a candlelit loft in Manhattan for a “mindful singles event” called The Feels, which was designed to be the opposite of the disembodied experience of dating apps. Participants, phones tucked away, paired up and attempted a series of “somatic awareness” exercises, including staring into each other’s eyes, hugging, and holding a hand over each other’s heart.
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