Over time, one generation will give way to the next, forming families and ensuring the continuity of human civilization. This progress can happen either through marriages within the same generation or between different generations. Today, we’re talking about marriages between two different generations.
The current generation being discussed is Gen Z. The oldest members of this generation are now 27 years old. So, while they’re marrying within their own generation, they’re also getting married to people from the previous generation, the Millennials or Generation Y. Gen Z is a topic of discussion everywhere. But what happens when they become life partners with Millennials? How is their married life going?
Take, for example, the millennial and Gen Z couple, Soumik Ratul and Anvesha Shreya. They got married a year ago through a family arrangement. Although there isn’t much of an age difference between them, there’s definitely a ‘generation gap’. Despite being close in age, Soumik often complains that he doesn’t understand many of the words Anvesha uses when talking with her friends.
On the other hand, Anvesha says, “Soumik doesn’t even know what ‘pookie’ means. When he heard it for the first time, he thought it was something bad. He doesn’t get most of the words I use, except ‘loud and clear’. Because our English is different from theirs. Even after marriage, if we have a fight, I use words to scold him that he doesn’t even know the meaning of. He ends up losing to me, haha.”
That’s truly a problem! Those millennials whose life partners are representatives of Gen Z might be in quite a predicament.
Marriage habits are constantly changing. Because people’s dependence on technology has increased significantly, and this tendency is most visible among Gen Z members. Their predecessors are not as accustomed to these practices. But it’s not just that—they also differ in upbringing, lifestyle, values, and use of technology. So, when these two generations marry, it’s natural to expect some diversity in their relationships.
While exploring this diversity, we came across an unusual couple. Here, the groom, Babuti, is a Gen Z (27), and the bride is a millennial (29). Their age difference is only two years, but in terms of time, they belong to two different generations. Both are musicians. Gen Z Atanu fell in love with senior Nilima in the music scene. Nilima says, “If Atanu wasn’t a Gen Z, he wouldn’t have been able to woo me. They are very simple, no complications, and they don’t overthink life.”
According to University of Maryland sociologist Patricia Hill Collins, a marriage receives recognition and approval from various family and societal members through different formalities. However, the law turns it into a contract, and it is also a religious commitment. Although most Gen Z individuals haven’t yet started planning their marriages, they show a positive attitude toward marriage, and Millennials are also choosing them as partners.
Another millennial and Gen Z couple, Nibir Rahman and Maria Kibtia, have been married for more than four years.
Nibir is 34 years old, while Maria just turned 27. Nibir spent his childhood watching cartoons on BTV in the 90s. Maria grew up in the era of animation and K-pop. Nibir believes that if there is love in a relationship, everything can be managed. On the other hand, Maria thinks that without responsibility and equal sacrifices, a relationship cannot be strong. Nibir feels comfortable eating rice and curry twice a day. For him, fast food means going to a coffee shop or restaurant for a burger, pizza, or french fries. However, Maria’s favorite food is smoothies and ramen. Her life doesn’t function without online shopping and ordering food through apps. So how does this marriage between two people born and raised in different times work?
Maria laughs and says, “At first, I thought, where have I gotten myself into? Everything felt annoying. We didn’t match at all. We both had to compromise a lot. Even though he’s a very sweet and sensitive husband, I would still get frustrated.” Nibir playfully adds, “But you can’t stay without me either. You start feeling restless after two days if we’re apart.” Maria teases back, “What can I do? It doesn’t feel good not to argue with you.”
With these little arguments, Maria gets busy preparing chicken stew along with Nibir’s favorite milk tea. Maria hums while marinating the chicken, and Nibir joins in with a song while passing her the salt and spices.
It’s clear that even though there are many differences between these two generations, they have adapted well to each other and have no shortage of love.
Meanwhile, Gen Z and millennial couple Tahmina Priya and Kazi Rezwan Islam share that Rezwan takes his time with everything, while Tahmina likes quick responses and acts quickly. They also have differences in how they interact with each other’s families. Rezwan says, “Millennials and Gen Z differ in many ways. We are more social, but they are quite self-centered. Moreover, they don’t say or do things the way we do or understand them. For example, I maintain a boundary of age and respect when dealing with younger people. But Tahmina has no filter even when interacting with children.”
Tahmina explains that Rezwan treats friends like family, which is something she struggles to adjust to. For Gen Z, friends are more of a ‘casual’ matter, not to be taken too seriously. However, they both agree that despite the generation gap, they respect their relationship and don’t interfere with each other’s individuality.
Sociologist Hill says that marriage fulfills personal, family, and social needs, which short-term relationships cannot easily satisfy. The average age for marriage may vary, but it remains significant for most people. So, despite this generational gap, most Gen Z and millennial couples seem to be doing well in their sweet and sour marriages.
