Generation Z, born between the late 1990s and the early 2010s, now in their young teens to late twenties, was the first to grow up online. Theirs is a world of hyperconnectivity, smartphones, and social media. Most wouldn’t remember a time before people posted and shared every little thing, from their OOTD (outfit of the day) to their daily workouts and meals. And every big thing, moments of celebration and of devastation.
To paraphrase Nora Ephron, everything is content.
Today, in many senses, we define our identities through our online lives, publicly and personally — we state our pronouns, relationship status, and career, we spotlight our achievements; reciprocally, we find validation in likes, comments, follows, and like-minded “friends.”
On the other side of the equation, we’ve got the whole world in our hands — at least through our devices — and it seems to offer infinite possibilities for where we could go, what we could do, who we could be.
Shaping their own story: no secrets, endless options
A recent New York Times article explored how Gen Z divorces differ from those of previous generations — and the role that online life has played in these changes.
According to the Times, Gen Z — currently the youngest adult generation, who are, on the upper end, already old enough to have married and divorced — is more apt than previous generations to walk away decisively and openly.
Michel Janse, a 28-year-old social media content creator from Oceanside, CA, vlogged extensively about her divorce. Even after recently remarrying, she feels that “divorcee” is an essential part of her identity.
She told the Times she thinks social media has had an impact on people feeling freer to leave an unfulfilling marriage, partly because they have a sense of “endless options,” and can imagine so many different scenarios and versions of themselves.
“I feel like with social media at our fingertips, we are just so much more aware of all the lives we could be living,” Ms. Janse said.
Today, many celebrities and influencers share openly about the ending of their marriages, often issuing carefully crafted joint statements over social media. They’re taking charge of the narrative surrounding their own divorces, and in turn, paving the way for others to do the same.
Young people going through a divorce, or contemplating one, often find a sense of community and support in online interactions.
The positive spin they often put on the process — framing it as a matter of personal growth, evolving in different directions but moving forward with love and respect, “conscious uncoupling,” a fresh start, and so on — has contributed to a shift away from the fear, stigma, shame, and secrecy that once surrounded divorce.
“Whether it’s young divorce generally, or Gen Z divorce specifically, in 2025, splits often feel less like scandals and more like rebrands,” the Times said.
The Bigger Picture
Of course, there are other era-specific factors, not just social media, influencing Gen Z’s approach to marriage and divorce.
Mx. Megan Wallace, 29, writes about sex and the “mating rituals of Gen Z” in London. She believes that big societal upheavals, like the pandemic and economic turbulence, which her peers faced during formative years, also play a part in the shift in attitudes about marriage. She says that “having seen so much rapid social change,” they’re more apt to believe that “it’s not realistic to be with one person for the whole thing,” she told the Times.
Same processes, different priorities
As the Times article points out, family law attorneys are aware of numerous generational shifts. Younger couples are more likely than in previous generations to prioritize mental and emotional well-being when deciding whether to end a marriage; they put less emphasis on “grounds” like infidelity. The rise of nontraditional or nonmonogamous marital arrangements has also changed how they view the institution itself, and therefore the dynamics of separating.
From a logistical standpoint, although all divorces must deal with the same big issues — property division, support, and child custody — for many Gen Z couples calling it quits, those issues might be a little more straightforward. Younger couples may not have children yet, taking custody issues out of the mix. And because they’re still just starting out, there may not yet be significant assets to divide; however, there may be debt, such as student loans, and the trend toward gig work, as well as ownership of modern digital assets like crypto, can add some complexity.
Family law attorneys are also noticing that Gen Z couples typically want the divorce process to be as frictionless as possible. Seeking quick, efficient, low-conflict splits with a focus on collaboration in resolving issues and transparency throughout, they increasingly opt for alternative divorce processes like mediation. Having come of age in a digital landscape, they’re comfortable with technology and show a preference for virtual meetings, online communication, and paperless processes.
The more things change…
Despite changing attitudes and approaches toward divorce, Gen Z-ers who have actually gone through it told the New York Times that just because it’s no longer shrouded in guilt and secrecy doesn’t mean divorce is easy or something to be taken lightly.
“It is a huge, huge deal to go through,” Ms. Janse told the Times. “It is irreversible, so expensive. It’s messy. Everything about your life will change. Give or take.”
At Schoenberg Family Law Group, P.C., we recognize that Gen Z couples are reshaping the divorce process — favoring collaboration, transparency, and efficient, low-conflict resolutions through mediation and other modern approaches. With 40 years of experience, our board-certified family law specialist and team provide compassionate, strategic guidance tailored to today’s evolving needs, offering both virtual and traditional representation to help clients navigate family transitions with clarity and dignity.
By Debra Schoenberg
