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The 2022 overturning of Roe vs Wade in the United States may feel like ‘old news’ for some in 2025, but it’s clear the global impacts of the decision remain prominent, particularly with the recent re-election of the Republican party into US office. Following the decision to eliminate the constitutional right to abortion, concerns
surrounding access and effectiveness of contraception have spiked globally, due to an increased anxiety of unwanted pregnancy. These worries about the healthcare rights of women in the US has, unsurprisingly, had a large fallout which may have
impacted young dating culture, since abortion restriction disproportionality impacts people who are young and economically vulnerable.
The fear of unwanted pregnancy and the toll it takes on dating has reached new heights due to the barriers put in place by the American government. Despite the fact
that women in the UK, and many other countries, remain able to receive abortions, the shock of this news has undoubtably had an impact on global dating trends, due to the shift in people’s mindsets as they come to terms with the fact that healthcare
laws can change so drastically even in the 21st century.
Navigating the relationship scene as someone who is young and inexperienced is
extremely daunting. For most people, it feels like there’s no direction, no guidebook,
and no one to confide in about how daunting it is to be so out of your depth when
making those first moves that kickstart your dating debuts. It especially doesn’t help
when it seems like everyone around you is hooking up like it’s no big deal. Hookup
culture has become the ‘norm’ for young, single people and casual sex and
relationships have peaked since the emergence and increasing popularity of dating
apps and social media. These casual experiences can be a beneficial aspect of
maturing as they teach you a lot about other people, as well as yourself. They also
assist the promotion of healthy views around sex.
Despite this, the 2025 dating trend predictions suggest that people in their early
twenties are prematurely abandoning this dating style in the pursuit of something
more. Hookup culture tends to carry some negative baggage such as creating low
self-esteem, trust issues and poor self-worth, so not wanting to maintain it for a long
period of time is understandable. I acknowledge that this is partly a result of the
increase of self-care and wellness trends over the last five years which have
encouraged people, particularly women, to create a lifestyle which prioritises
themselves and what benefits them. However, I feel it is also closely linked to the
fears that have been installed in young people as a consequence of abortion
restriction in contemporary society.
Young people are becoming more conscious of the reality of the damaging
consequences casual sex can have on their lives. Which is one most people would
aim to avoid. For example, if a young woman in Tennessee in 2025 were to pursue a
casual relationship with someone and fall pregnant, she would not have the choice to
receive an abortion should she want one. She would have to leave the state and get
an abortion elsewhere, which for many young people is a costly and unattainable
option. Additionally, Tennessee has recently passed a bill making it a crime to aid a
minor seeking an abortion, meaning she could not seek help from anyone but her
parents, which can be a frightening thing to confess. This terrifying actuality has
unquestionably left people more lost than ever when it comes to dating, as the
possibility of unwanted pregnancy is scarier than ever.
No wonder dating trend predictions point to a desire for stability, security and trust.
59% of women report that they have been ‘future-proofing’ all possible relationships
by looking for signs of emotional consistency, reliability and goal-oriented in their
partners, suggesting women are seeking a partner who would be able to support
them emotionally in the event they became unexpectedly pregnant.
These are the sad consequences of restricting basic healthcare rights. People are
forced to think more practically about their partners, arguably limiting the chance to
enjoy casual relationships and experimentation in the dating world as young adults.
Who knows what the future of relationships holds, but for now it seems that gone are
the days of sexual exploration and casual fun for many people.
Words by Isabella Warner (she/her) and Artwork by Emily Mallon (she/her)
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