As Gen Z women enter adulthood and start their careers, many are considering what their future lives could look like.
Nearly half (47%) of Gen Z women say they want to be happily married with kids and a stable job, according to a recent survey by EduBirdie, an online writing platform, of 2,000 respondents. Another 23% say they’d rather be highly successful, independent and famous, even if it means staying single.
In fact, when it comes to the age-old challenge of work-life balance, many question what’s really possible. Twenty-five percent of Gen Z women believe you must choose between a career and love — you can’t have both.
It’s not a new conundrum.
Trying to have a robust personal life and a career “has been the greatest challenge for women throughout history,” says Wendy Walsh, a psychologist and leading voice on relationships.
That’s especially true as inequality persists and women still make about 81 cents to the man’s dollar, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Many women might feel like the only way to get ahead is to focus solely on their careers, EduBirdie found.
Look for a mate who supports your ambition, as you do his.
Wendy Walsh
Psychologist, relationship expert
“I suspect that Gen Z women more often subscribe to the adage that a woman can have it all, just not all at the same time,” says Walsh, adding that it’s possible some simply feel like they must develop their work skills and save up some money before they consider other aspects of their lives.
For those who do want to try to balance romantic relationships and their careers, it’s possible, says Walsh, especially with the right partner.
“Healthy relationships are about interdependence,” she says. “Look for a mate who supports your ambition, as you do his.”
Psychologist Sabrina Romanoff suggests looking out for specific green flags like consistent behavior, taking accountability for their shortcomings and making you feel calm and safe as well.
“I think the healthiest attitude is to think about a male partner as not simply a provider, but as a partner,” says Walsh, “a best friend, someone who can help out. I think Gen Z women are starting to erase old-fashioned, gender roles and may be learning to welcome a man inside the household to help more.”
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