A video clip fromMamamia Out Loud Podcastpublished on 20 Nov 2025 GMT+7 discusses why Gen Y tends not to cheat. It quickly went viral, garnering over 600,000 views on TikTok and spreading across other online platforms. Many Gen Y viewers shared similar opinions, expressing that infidelity isn’t their style because life itself is already exhausting enough. They questioned why anyone would want to spend their free time engaging in other relationships. The video also reflected on economic aspects, noting that current times are no longer affluent enough to support two households.
Baby Boomers are experienced, Gen X is resourceful, and Gen Y is good at earning money.
According to the 2024 Aflac WorkForces Report,
Looking at the timeline of Gen Y’s birth, it’s understandable why this generation feels more exhausted than others. They grew up amid many changes—technological and economic—and have had to adapt repeatedly to survive in a transitional era. This contrasts with their parents’ generation, Baby Boomers, who accumulated more wealth growing up during the post-World War II economic boom. Baby Boomers also benefited from higher interest rates on savings, cheaper real estate, and more affordable access to quality education.
Gen X inherited from their parents and had opportunities in a growing economy (1960–1969) with a golden era for real estate and investments. Meanwhile, Gen Z is expected to build wealth differently by leveraging technology and digital expertise, often starting investments earlier.
These factors also affect infidelity rates across generations. Sociologist Nicholas Wolfinger’s study found that 20% of Americans over 55 (Gen X and older) admitted to cheating while married. Conversely, Gen Z has a higher infidelity rate than Gen Y, possibly because Gen Z’s financial status allows more discretionary spending on "certain things."
Because cheating is exhausting.
Relationship expert Lisa Chen stated, “Infidelity requires significant physical and emotional effort.” For Gen Y, just handling work, earning daily living expenses, and political uncertainty is already tiring. Simply maintaining a normal relationship takes most of their energy, let alone managing a secret second household.
Moreover, modern relationships demand more attention than in the past due to higher expectations for closeness and constant presence. Infidelity is also harder now with technology—location sharing reveals whereabouts, and online receipts leave evidence—making it risky and easier to get caught.
It’s not just exhaustion; Gen Y is done with infidelity.
Beyond daily life fatigue, psychologist and relationship expert Sabrina Romanof from Hily Dating App explains that Gen Y witnessed the effects of divorce and cheating closely, as surveys show high infidelity rates from Gen X onward. This leads most Gen Y to choose partners intentionally and seek stable, lasting relationships.
Ultimately, although the topic discusses generational differences, matters of love, relationships, and life management remain personal. External factors faced by each generation influence lifestyles and perspectives but do not solely define individual traits, as everyone has their own views and approaches.
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