Gen Z Christian women want to date like Jane Austen’s characters

‘Maybe I’m a romantic (okay, I definitely am), but something in me longs for the clarity we read about in old novels—not just the dresses and dances, but the dignity. I believe I am not the only member of Generation Z with these sentiments,’ says Lucy Macdonald.

Consider this scene from Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice:

Jane Bennet sat near the parlour window, her embroidery long forgotten. The sound of hooves startled her heart into hope—and moments later, Mr. Bingley entered the room, hat in hand and nerves evident.

After a few pleasantries, he turned to her mother and said,
“I know this is all very untoward, but I would like to request the privilege of speaking to Miss Bennet. Alone.”

With a flurry of delight, Mrs. Bennet excused herself. Bingley, left alone with Jane, wasted no time. He spoke plainly—of affection, of regret, and of the desire to make her his wife, if she still cared for him.

There was no game. No ambiguity. Just honesty and honour and the quiet courage of a man who knew what he wanted—and asked for it.

Imagine that. Now scroll forward 200 years. It’s a Thursday night. A woman receives a text: “Hey you around”  No punctuation. No context. Just a breadcrumb.