Gen Z's Shift in Priorities
3rd March 2025
Image: Juliette Byrne writes about Gen Z's shift in attitude towards marriage
Gen Z's Shift in Priorities: Choosing Family Over Property Investments and Dream Jobs
A quick reminder: Gen Zs were born between 1997 and 2012 and are currently aged between 13 and 28 (in 2025). Millennials were born between 1981 and 1996. Which generation are you? Millennials, baby boomers or Gen Z - BBC Bitesize
Over the past 20 years, attitudes toward marriage and family have shifted. While Millennials were often seen as less interested in traditional life milestones, Generation Z (Gen Z) is breaking that trend. Recent research conducted by Charles Russell Speechlys law firm shows that the adults of Gen Z are increasingly interested in traditional life milestones, such as marriage and parenthood. Their survey found that 75% of Gen Z adults want to get married and 69% want children, compared to only 43% of Millennials being interested in marriage, and 39% who want to start a family.
The preference for traditional milestones among Gen Z can be seen as part of a larger generational shift, where young adults increasingly pursue financial and social stability through committed relationships. The rates of marriage returning to pre-pandemic levels further supports the idea that younger generations are opting for traditional life pathways.
In the report, Gen Z are seen to place more importance on family goals over career or property goals. When asked about life milestones, 40% said having children and starting a family was the most significant, followed by marriage at 19%, buying a home at 14% and starting a dream job at 10%. This shows that for many Gen Z adults, marriage and family remain central goals.
Financial considerations also play a significant role in this shift. Gen Z is more likely than older generations to want financial safeguards in relationships. Almost half (47%) are open to signing cohabitation agreements before moving in together or buying a property, while only 23% of older generations share this view. Additionally, 48% of Gen Z adults are open to prenuptial agreements, compared to just 22% who are against them. This demonstrates the common view among Gen Z of seeking equal roles within relationships, and so many are comfortable to separate their financials.
Interestingly, the parents of Gen Z display mixed feelings regarding the idea of their children signing prenuptial agreements. While only a quarter (25%) would encourage their children to sign a pre-nup, a larger portion (27%) would oppose the idea, and 31% would remain indifferent. These mixed views suggest that while prenuptial agreements are gaining traction among Gen Z, traditional attitudes toward marriage and financial agreements remain prevalent among older generations.
Gen Z's re-embrace of marriage and family milestones appears to be closely linked to the economic challenges they face. This generation has grown up during a period marked by economic uncertainty, including the aftermath of the global financial crisis and the recent pandemic. These experiences have shaped their financial outlook, making them more risk-averse and focused on achieving stability.
One of the key barriers to marriage for Gen Z is the high cost of weddings, which has risen significantly in recent years. The average cost of a wedding in the UK reached £20,700 in 2023, up nearly 20% from £17,300 in 2021. For many Gen Z individuals, this expense is a significant deterrent, and from a Jersey perspective, where the cost of living is 29% higher than in the UK (Cost Of Living Comparison Between United Kingdom And Jersey (numbeo.com)), this would be a much greater factor, creating a larger barrier. However, over two-thirds (68%) of Gen Z adults expect to receive financial support from their parents to help cover wedding costs, highlighting the continued role of family support in enabling life decisions, and this is common in Jersey. However, this could change if perspectives on financial priorities shift.
In conclusion, Gen Z can be seen as embracing traditional milestones like marriage and family, but in a more practical way, influenced by financial realities. Their interest in cohabitation and prenuptial agreements shows a shift towards safeguarding financial independence. As marriage rates rise, and more young people seek legally formalised relationships, it will be interesting to see if the adults of Gen Z can balance their traditional goals with the economic challenges they face.
Article written by Juliette Byrne, Paralegal at Corbett Le Quesne
References
Cost Of Living Comparison Between United Kingdom And Jersey (numbeo.com)
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