Survey: Is the Summer Fling Still a Thing For Americans?

There’s a drink called Summer Fling. It’s a refreshing blend of hibiscus, mango, and passion fruit that tastes like sunshine and spontaneity. Then there’s another type of summer fling—the kind that happens between people. It’s light, exciting, and meant to be lived in the moment.

With time, the flavor might fade—but the memories tend to stick. That’s why there’s one thing to keep in mind: honest communication and clear boundaries with your partner are essential to set the tone for a good time that doesn’t come with labels or future plans. Just like the drink, a summer fling is bold, refreshing, and difficult to forget.

To understand what people think about casual romance during the summer months, Hily surveyed 8,000 Gen Z and Millennial Americans. We asked about their dating habits, their desires, and what a summer fling really means when the season heats up and the lines between fun and vulnerability start to blur.

Key Findings

• 30% of young American women and 48% of men have increased sexual desire during the summer.
• 42% of young American women and 52% of men have had a summer fling.
• A majority of young American women (56%) reported feeling heartbroken after breaking up with a summer casual partner.
• 42% of young American women and 48% of men say their summer dating turned into a long-term relationship.

How Common Is Casual Summer Dating?

What does “summer fling” really mean? It could be a series of spontaneous dates. Sometimes, those dates turn into friendship. For others, a summer fling is something that lingers just long enough to become a memory with no clear end date. Of those surveyed, 42% of women and 52% of men said that they had dated someone without being in a committed relationship during the hottest months of the year.

Millennials were more likely to say they’ve had summer fling—47% of women and 51% of men. Things were a little more mixed among Gen Z, though: 52% of men said they’d had one, compared to just 37% of their female peers.

Is summer the perfect time to enjoy a fling without the responsibilities of a committed relationship? And what’s more: is summer a better time for this type of short-term fling?  About a third of young Americans said yes. Among men, 30% agreed with the statement.

The majority didn’t show any preference: 56% of men and 49% of women picked “neither agree nor disagree.” However, 10% of men and 23% of women don’t find a short-term relationship acceptable during the summer.

Need for Passion

When asked, 75% of young American men say they’d be up for an uncommitted love story this summer. That’s a large proportion who enjoy the lightness of quick connection and minimal expectations, which might make it easier to say yes without overthinking it.

Women answered differently—37% confirmed they would like to have a summer fling in the future. At the same time, 30% said the idea didn’t suit them. There’s a slower curve in the answers, with more space in between.

A temporary relationship is a chance to spend the season having fun with someone else and taking advantage of the summer vibe. Survey data shows that 41% of Gen Z and 31% of Millennials have specifically searched for a summer fling on dating apps.

The Reasons Behind Casual Summer Love

Reasons for wanting a summer fling vary: 54% of young American women said they’re curious to see where things might go. But while curiosity topped the list for women, men were motivated by something else entirely. The most common answer was “looking for something casual”—57% said they prefer something more relaxed, which 47% of women said they were also looking for. Other popular reasons included wanting to explore their sexuality—cited by 47% of men and 39% of women—and just having fun while traveling or on vacation, an option chosen by 26% of men and 32% of women.

When It’s Too Hot to Handle

Could it be the heat? Or is it something to do with showing more skin? Perhaps, it’s a little bit of both. According to the survey, 48% of men said they feel hornier in summer. Among women, 30% said they agree.

Love in the Outdoors

As the days grow longer and warmer, passion tends to emerge in more spontaneous ways: 69% of men admitted they would like to make love to a fling in public. Only 48% of the young American women we surveyed confirmed that they were interested in such an adventurous activity. Whether it’s a bold idea or just a passing thought, hot months seem to bring out the side of people that says “why not?” to having intercourse in a non-private setting.

Boundaries of Desire

The idea of a summer romance isn’t the same for everyone. Of those surveyed, 42% of young American women and half of men find it acceptable to have two or three flings in one season. Just enough time to enjoy the moment and remember it when September arrives.

However, some young Americans have a different perspective: 23% of women and 17% of men said that one fling is their ideal number for the summer. Others don’t like the idea of having a short-term romance: 19% of women and 5% of men said they don’t think summer flings are acceptable at all.

Locals vs. Tourists: Who’s the Best Fit for a Vacation Fling?

Vacation vibes hit different when the sun goes down. A warm, starry night is the perfect setting for romance, right? For 63% of women and 70% of men it’s more than enough: hey don’t have a strong preference when it comes to finding a date while traveling.

Even so, a few respondents still lean toward locals. In fact, 27% of women and 21% of men say they’d rather hang with someone from the area they visit. Apparently, it’s refreshing to meet someone cute who knows the secret spots for cold drinks with a view. Only 10% of women and 9% of men said they’d go for a fellow tourist.

The Aftermath of the Summertime Love Story

Sometimes it ends with a wave and a smile. Other times, it’s not so simple. In fact, 56% of young American women said they’ve felt heartbroken after a summer fling. Among men, 39% said the same. That’s not every story, but it’s definitely more than a few.

The rest of the answers were more divided: 37% of women and 50% of men said they had never felt heartbroken when a fling didn’t work out. A smaller share wasn’t sure how they felt about their casual relationship ending—7% of women and 11% of men chose that option. Maybe the attachment came only after they went their separate ways. Or maybe it faded slowly. A summer moment can feel light, but reality tends to be more complicated.

A few late-night texts. Then, plans for every weekend. Eventually, flings may realize they want something more consistent: 42% of women and 48% of men confirmed that their summer fling turned into a committed relationship.

Some flings stay short. Others evolve as fall approaches. The timing, energy, and way two people communicate can lead to a new chapter in their shared history.

Conclusion

A lot of young Americans, especially men, are open to the idea of a summer fling. It’s all about having a good time and enjoying the freedom to have fun. This is a helpful way to explore your feelings, learn what works for you, or even find the right person for something more consistent.

Summer love comes in all shapes and sizes. Some of these connections are casual. Others turn into something more long-lasting, like a summer romance that blossoms into a long-term relationship. No matter what path you take, it’s important to keep the lines of communication open, find common ground, and set boundaries from the start to make sure everyone’s on the same page and feeling good about the situation.

Maybe it’s a spark that fades with the heat, or maybe it’s a story that grows into something more. No matter what kind it is, a summer fling is bound to leave a young American with unforgettable memories when the heat dies down.