Data shows Gen Z are the most willing to cheat on their partners

They're exploring different kinds of relationships

New data shows Gen Z are more interested in ethical non-monogamy than either – and they're turning to unexpected dating sites to find it. 

As we head into 2024, there have never been more definitions or formats of romantic relationships. 

Open relationships, ethical non-monogamy and polyamory have found themselves squarely in the mainstream, and monogamy has never been under a closer microscope. 

But it’s not just regular dating apps that young people are using to find their new loves or lovers. New data shows Gen Z are flocking to affairs website Ashley Madison more than any other generation, signalling a new era of relationships that’s set to stick around. 

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According to Ashley Madison, an online dating service designed to facilitate connections between people looking outside of their marriages, more than 1.8 million people in the Gen Z age group signed up for the site last year – of which more than 38,000 were from Australia.

This makes Gen Z the cohort with the most sign-ups out of any age bracket, representing 40 per cent of all new registrations. 

According to those surveyed by Ashley Madison, 59 per cent of Gen Z members were looking for either an open or poly relationship, actively seeking a “fuller sexual and/or romantic life experiences,” and more open-mindedness. 

“Gen Z’s ever-changing views of traditional monogamy combined with a desire for discretion is perhaps why we’re seeing so many flock to Ashley Madison,” Paul Keable, Ashley Madison's chief strategy officer tells Body+Soul. “They want the power to control the narrative around how they relate to people.” 

Keable adds that the number one reason young people are seeking a partner outside of their relationship “Is because one person alone can’t fulfil their sexual needs” – a view shared by both men and women using the site.

Gen Z are turning to Ashley Madison to fulfil their sexual needs. Image: Pexels

On one hand, it seems strange that young people would flock to Ashley Madison to fulfil ENM arrangements, given it’s typically been seen as a website used by Gen X and Boomers. 

But it also shows that young people are taking open relationships and polyamory seriously – not looking for a one-off fling off the back of a night out, but a premeditated, mutually-understood arrangement. 

38% of Australian Gen Zers are willing to consider non-monogamy, and based on Ashley Madison’s sign-ups, not only are they feeling more sexually liberated than ever – they’re willing to act on it. 

“Fifty-nine per cent of Gen Z members on Ashley Madison said they wanted either an open relationship or polyamorous dating, attributing to them many benefits,” says Keable. And the report shows that when they do go ahead with these relationship arrangements, they’re enjoying them, and going about it in a healthy way.

Gen Z are more sexually free than any other generation. Image: iStock

Kebable continues, “Our research further reiterates Gen Z’s pragmatism towards open relationships, with many establishing agreements with their partners where they lay out their specific terms for how they will carry out their non-monogamous relationship,” 

“It seems that for Gen Z, non-monogamy is just a part of who they are, and not necessarily a reflection of their partner or relationship.” 

Regardless of their intentions, Gen Z are adamant that they won’t be bound by monogamy. As for how these relationships will develop? Only time will tell.

Originally published as Data shows Gen Z are the most willing to cheat on their partners