The Bottom-line at the Top: A recent study investigated the experiences of emerging adults who had never been in a romantic relationship, exploring factors that may help explain their lack of relationship experience. In a sample of 369 U.S. college students, the researchers found that students who had never been in a relationship reported lower relationship readiness and less dating, romantic, and sexual experience than their peers. Yet they were also more optimistic about their future dating prospects. Their findings highlight the complex experiences of young adults who remain single—not simply a lack of opportunity or desire, but a combination of apprehension, social context, and perceived ability to navigate relationships.
Citation: LeFebvre, L. E., & Love, H. A. (2026). Never been in a romantic relationship: Singleness and romantic relationship participation in emerging adults. Family Relations, 75(2), 1273–1293. https://doi.org/10.1111/fare.70090
Study Set-up
A changing dating landscape: As conversations about declining dating and relationship participation among young adults continue, understanding the experiences of those who have never been in a romantic relationship is increasingly important. What factors characterize their experiences, and how do they understand their own romantic futures?
Beyond relationship status: Not having been in a romantic relationship does not necessarily mean someone is uninterested in dating. Young adults may have different levels of experience, confidence, readiness, and optimism about future relationships.
Understanding the experience of singleness: LeFebvre and Love explored the experiences of emerging adults who had never been in a romantic relationship, seeking to better understand the factors associated with their relationship/dating participation and how these young adults perceive their romantic prospects.
Brief Note on Study Methods
The researchers surveyed 369 U.S. college students using an online questionnaire.
The study compared students who had never been in a romantic relationship with those who had relationship experience, examining differences in relationship readiness and dating, romantic, and sexual experience.
The researchers also examined qualitative responses from interviews with a subset of 37 participants who had never been in a romantic relationship. Their responses provided insight into how these young adults understood their experiences and the factors that shaped their participation in dating.
Key Findings
Less experience and lower relationship readiness: Participants who had never been in a romantic relationship reported less dating, romantic, and sexual experience and lower relationship readiness than their peers who had relationship/dating experience.
Optimism about the future: Despite their comparatively limited experience, participants who had never been in a relationship were more optimistic about their future dating prospects. Limited relationship experience did not necessarily translate into pessimism about the possibility of future relationships.
Three themes help explain their experiences: Qualitative responses from interviews revealed three central themes:
Apprehension: Concerns or uncertainties surrounding dating and romantic relationships.
Social contexts: The social environments and circumstances that shape opportunities for romantic involvement.
Self-efficacy: Young adults' perceptions of their ability (skills) to navigate dating and relationships.
Note: The study's college-based sample offers insight into emerging adults in an educational setting, but its findings should not be generalized straightforwardly to all young adults.
Together, these findings suggest that young adults' relationship participation is shaped by more than whether they want a relationship. Their confidence, experiences, and social environments may also play important roles.
Implications for the Dating Education Field
How can dating educators support young adults with limited relationship experience? These findings suggest that dating education can address more than relationship knowledge alone. Opportunities to build confidence, develop practical dating skills, and navigate uncertainty may help young adults who feel inexperienced or unsure about pursuing relationships.
How can we distinguish a lack of experience from a lack of desire? Not having been in a relationship does not necessarily indicate dissatisfaction or a problem that needs to be solved. Dating educators should make room for different experiences and timelines while supporting young adults who want to pursue romantic relationships but feel uncertain about how to begin.
How do social environments shape dating opportunities? Because participants identified social contexts as a challenge in their experiences, educators and community leaders might consider how the environments they create either facilitate or hinder opportunities for young adults to meet and connect. Colleges, churches, and other communities can consider ways to foster meaningful interaction without placing undue pressure on young adults to find a partner.
How can we help young adults move from optimism to confidence? Participants' optimism about future relationships, despite limited experience, offers an encouraging starting point. Dating education can build on that optimism by equipping young adults with practical tools for initiating relationships, navigating uncertainty, and developing healthy connections over time.
An Important Caveat: This study helps illuminate the experiences of young adults who have never been in a romantic relationship, but it does not establish why young adults are dating less broadly or demonstrate that any single factor causes dating participation to decline. Its findings are best understood as insight into one group of emerging adults rather than a comprehensive explanation of the contemporary dating landscape.
The Last Word
Limited relationship experience does not necessarily mean limited relationship hope for the future. For dating educators, the challenge is to understand young adults' varied experiences and equip those who desire relationships with the confidence, skills, and opportunities to pursue meaningful connections.
