10 Reasons Why This Generation Is Losing The Ability To Be In Love

Have you ever contemplated what our generation will be remembered for in the decades to come? This question often crosses my mind.

While there are numerous positive aspects we could be celebrated for, history has shown that the negative tends to endure the test of time more than the positive.

My primary concern is that our generation might be remembered as the one that abandoned love. We engage in dating for the sake of dating, seemingly forgetting how to truly love—a notion that’s absurd. Most individuals have not grasped a genuine understanding of love; instead, they’ve embraced a flawed interpretation.

Generation-Y appears to be the first generation distancing itself from conventional views on romantic relationships. The pivotal question remains: Will we be recognized as the first generation to embrace a more logical and rational approach to love, or will we be remembered as the generation that gave up on it entirely?

The decision, I suppose, lies with each one of us.

We prioritize instant gratification over everything else:

The prevalent trend among Generation-Yers is the pursuit of instant gratification. We’ve grown up and continue to thrive in a culture that grants us instant access to almost anything.
From ordering food with a few clicks to finding distractions in the form of phone apps when bored, our culture prizes convenience—a modern-day luxury unknown to previous generations. However, the challenge arises when instant gratification becomes a habit, seeping into our love lives. Love isn’t meant to be experienced in an instant but over a lifetime.

We’ve cultivated a culture centered around drugs and alcohol:

This aligns with our culture’s inclination toward instant gratification. Drugs and alcohol often serve as the most common form of self-medication.
In times of sadness or discontent, we turn to drinks. When stressed or overwhelmed, some may resort to more intense substances. While not everyone engages in these behaviors, it’s a prevalent trend among our generation. Unfortunately, these substances can become love’s adversaries, creating an illusion of heightened emotions and intense love. In reality, this only confuses us, leading us to believe love is solely about the intense feelings, which couldn’t be further from the truth.

We engage in promiscuity to a significant extent:

To varying degrees, most individuals have multiple partners each year. While there’s nothing wrong with enjoying sex, promiscuity often leaves us feeling empty.
What starts as an exciting and gratifying experience ends up amplifying our sense of loneliness. Moreover, it complicates the search for genuine love, turning sex into a sport. When sex loses its uniqueness and becomes just another trivial encounter, making love and finding emotional fulfillment become challenging.

We’re becoming increasingly egocentric:

Egocentricity is inherent in every individual; prioritizing our needs is part of human nature. However, problems arise when egocentricity overshadows our ability to empathize.
Living in society requires us to consider the needs of others, especially in relationships that essentially function as communities. When our focus narrows solely to ourselves—our needs, wants, and desires—other people’s needs within our community get overlooked. In relationships, this oversight can lead to their deterioration.

We date for the sake of dating:

Dating has become a sport, a favored pastime among Millennials. The belief that we’re supposed to date and find someone to spend our lives with often results in numerous unfulfilling relationships.
This backward logic leads to countless unsuitable relationships, wasting opportunities to meet genuinely compatible partners. The world faces a similar consequence each time someone settles for a relationship that isn’t right for them.

We resist making compromises:

Our inclination to have things our way clashes when we find ourselves in a relationship. Relationships are not solely about our wants and needs; they are part of a greater whole.
Compromising becomes essential for the relationship to thrive. When we resist compromises, the ability to create a loving relationship diminishes. Accepting compromises as a necessity is vital for the success of any relationship.

We believe in fairy-tale endings:

Many of us grew up watching Disney movies, learning about love through their stories. However, these movies often create unrealistic expectations, setting us up for disappointment and confusion.
When our real-life stories don’t align with the fairy-tale narrative, it becomes challenging not to question our love for someone. The quest for a fairy-tale ending can lead to unrealistic ideals and subsequent disappointment.

We’ve been misled into thinking perfection is achievable:

The pursuit of perfection, whether in ourselves or our partners, is an unrealistic goal. Despite its impossibility, our generation continues to seek perfection.
Setting such unrealistic expectations only results in genuine disappointment when they are not met. Learning to accept imperfections and focusing on genuine connections can lead to more fulfilling relationships.

We’re goal-driven but often neglect to include our partners:

Our generation places a commendable focus on personal growth and development. Dreams and goals are essential, but discerning the value of individuals and things in our lives is crucial.
Unfortunately, many in our generation delay finding someone to love until after getting their lives in order. Recognizing the importance of a life partner and including them in our goals is crucial.

Most of us struggle with understanding and practicing love:

Love is intricate, with layers that evolve and change with time and different partners. Understanding love is challenging, and many individuals feel lost in its complexity.

While it’s not something to be ashamed of, it is a cause for concern. Whether our generation is improving or regressing in its understanding of love remains uncertain. Without a better understanding of love—its purpose, boundaries, and limitations—we risk prolonged unhappiness.

This is more than just speculation; it’s a factual concern.