The article explores how young people approaching online dating often prioritize humor and irony over sincerity due to fears of appearing 'cringey.' Giovanni Wolfram, a 25-year-old from New Mexico, illustrates this mindset, valuing sarcasm in his dating profile. The reluctance toward earnestness reflects broader generational anxieties around vulnerability in relationships. Psychologist Jordan Meisel notes that many in Gen Z prefer creating a persona that veers away from authenticity, resorting to humor instead. This behavior highlights a tension between genuine connection and self-preservation in the complex landscape of digital romance.
âIntellectually, Iâm really all about sincerity and earnestness,â says Wolfram, âbut I worry about being perceived as one of those guys who is too earnest.â
Much of what Gen Z considers âcringeâ might strike others simply as directness and honesty, but one generation's authenticity is another's red flag.
Collection
[
|
...
]