Over the next couple of months, Mallory and Diana will be hosting conversations to explore shifting norms around dating and marriage in LDS culture, and this is a first dip into the question.

This conversation is a bit bigger picture and less LDS-specific, though we start by talking about a change in the Church’s summer youth program, For the Strength of Youth (formerly called Especially For Youth) that brings it close to home: the young men and young women aren’t required to link arms anymore when they walk between classes!

This change might not seem like a big deal, but the uncomfortable social ritual of linking arms may have had some overlooked benefits. It was the kind of gentle, safe, chaperoned push out of one’s social comfort zone that some researchers say young people are increasingly missing in their lives, leading to increased loneliness, mental health concerns, and suspicion of others.

In this episode, researchers Daniel Cox and Kelsey Eyre Hammond joined Diana (Mallory was out of town) for a conversation about changes in young adults’ beliefs, behaviors, and relationships with one another. They discuss the phenomenon that some are calling “gender polarization,” which refers to young men and young women growing apart politically, religiously, and generally in what they want out of life. This is already leading many to give up on dating and hopes of partnership.

After listening, we’d love to hear in the comments: do you think this change in the FSY/EFY program was a good thing?

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thesoloists.substack.com