Generation Z stands out as an age group that takes a more active stance on politics than previous generations. The younger cohort often participates in various protests, strikes and campaigns in hopes of inducing change. 

These actions are making headway, especially in garnering support from those in their age range. However, the activity within this increasingly polarizing conversation topic affects personal lives — including that of the dating scene. 

From politically oriented prompts on dating apps to blatant starter conversations, the once taboo topic for first impressions is now prominent in many relationships.

These worries intensify due to the delicate political climate after the recent presidential election, and there is data to back it up.

A study conducted by Innerbody found that 86.7% of Democrats are dating fellow Democrats, and 84.4% of Republicans are dating fellow Republicans. The study also found that 73.1% of respondents have argued about a political matter with their significant other. 

However, that doesn’t mean neither party is willing to date someone affiliated with the opposition — over 60% of men and women are willing to date someone with different political views.

Aarushi Raizada, senior in Business, is in a long-term relationship with her partner, Chris. Despite having different political opinions, with Raizada leaning more liberal and her boyfriend more conservative, she says that their discussions have always been beneficial to their relationship.

“When it comes down to it, we can just let things exist,” Raizada said. “Both of us are similar in a lot of ways, or at least in ways that matter to us. The beliefs we prioritize are not the ones we disagree about.”

Although the couple found this middle ground easily, studies suggest that attitudes toward masculinity and women’s equality show the start of a gender divide. Younger men are starting to lean away from feminism as women become more engaged and announce their political opinions.

In some cases, young men were no more supportive of gender equality than older men despite them being more socially liberal in comparison.

Some claim that Gen Z is composed of two generations due to how divergent political opinions have become. Millions of people may live in the same city and experience the same things while still having fundamentally different ideologies.

Richard Malcolm Coulter, University alum and left-leaning voter, has not dated anyone with political opinions that differ from his own. Rather than focusing on party affiliation, he highlights that paying attention to how they live is more important.

“Extreme affiliation with any party without further qualification is always strange to me,” Coulter said. “What’s more important is how somebody lives day-to-day … I think the way in which you’re just supposed to engage with politics is representative of the habits that you have as a person.”

Coulter emphasizes the crucial role of caring more about the person as a whole rather than their political leanings in a relationship. 

“What really makes a difference in the survivability of a relationship is how you manage the everyday interpersonal stuff,” Coulter said. 

Still, even with tolerance expressed by many within the Gen Z community, some believe disparities have proven too bold to brush away. These include matters on abortion, foreign policy, immigration rights, taxes and health care.

This does not necessarily mean all discussions are a point of contention. 

Rather, these topics may fuel healthy debates. They can create an environment where discussions are encouraged rather than shut down, especially for conversations deemed “difficult to have.”

Raizada’s parents have differing political views, but at the dinner table, they always emphasize that discussions can occur healthily, even if there are disagreements.

“There are always horror stories of the Thanksgiving table, and everyone’s talking politics, and it’s just a crazy mess,” Raizada said. “But if you are able to handle conversations like that in a mature way, and you’re able to show your kids what a mature discussion about something that is sensitive and volatile … (you’re) showcasing what debating and healthy discussion looks like.” 

Raizada believes fostering healthy discussion is a more effective route toward political tolerance than avoiding the “hard stuff.”

“If you don’t talk about it, then the kids grow up with an aversion to talking about it, or they are at risk because they don’t know how to have those healthy conversations because they’re not seeing that modeled for them,” Raizada said

The way Raizada’s family handled tough conversation topics at the dinner table influenced her in her later years, especially in formal debates.

“Both my brother and I did debate activities growing up because we were in a household where our parents were showcasing what … healthy discussion looks like,” Raizada said. “And I think it’s so important, at least for households, to have some level of discussion about it, even if it’s just a, ‘What do you believe, and why?’” 

Personal experiences and data prove that tolerance is important regarding how people view politics, but some subjects cannot breach a middle ground.

“I think that people who have extremely divergent political opinions from my own are often disposed towards seeing things like ethical human conduct in a way which is pretty different from me,” Coulter said. “That … would be more difficult (to digest) than the particular political association I think they’re drawn to.” 

Other than specific political topics, potential deal breakers also include voting history. According to a 2020 Pew Research Center poll, more than 70% of Democrats who were single and looking for a relationship would not consider dating someone who voted for Donald Trump. This contrasts the other side of the aisle, where 47% of Republicans would not consider dating someone who voted for Hillary Clinton. 

Generally, being open and honest about one’s standing is one of the most important components of a successful relationship, even outside of political ideologies. As long as both parties put forth effort and find a middle ground, compromises can always be made. 

“You are entitled to your own beliefs, (and) you are entitled to your own views,” Raizada said. “I think the biggest thing for us is modeling what healthy discussions look like.”

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