Story perspectives

16% of Young Adults Embrace 'Attraction Hobbies' for Appeal

1/30/2026

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Millennials' Attraction Hobbies

The survey of 2,000 millennials and Gen Z-ers found 16% engage in "attraction hobbies" to boost appeal, with young men nearly double the rate of women.
The trend reflects a shift toward "'performative men'" who signal emotional awareness and sensitivity, though many find these hobbies less attractive than expected.
Therapist Erik Anderson noted that, while these hobbies may seem silly, they reveal deeper truths about human attraction.

Right

Lan Chooses AI

Lan Chen, an IT worker in Chongqing, China, prefers her AI boyfriend Haoran over real-life men, Haoran having been created as a joke in 2023 and now serving as a comforting presence.
Chen finds dating exhausting and unappealing, describing real-life interactions as job interviews.
In such cities where women are increasingly educated and financially independent, Chen's experience reflects a growing trend toward AI companions for emotional fulfillment.

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Millennials' Attraction Hobbies

The survey of 2,000 millennials and Gen Z-ers found 16% engage in "attraction hobbies" to boost appeal, with young men nearly double the rate of women.
The trend reflects a shift toward "'performative men'" who signal emotional awareness and sensitivity, though many find these hobbies less attractive than expected.
Therapist Erik Anderson noted that, while these hobbies may seem silly, they reveal deeper truths about human attraction.

1 / 2