Latest news with #relationshipgoals
The Sun
23-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
I'm dating my first COUSIN – people say our story's straight out of the 1800s but I think we're relationship goals
A YOUNG woman has revealed that she is dating her first cousin. Faz, who is from Grimsby, is in a relationship with her family member, Ania, 18. 2 2 But the couple have now found themselves at the heart of a barrage of abuse from mean trolls, who have described their story as something from the 1800s. However, the two women are on a mission to not let the hate get to them and Faz has even described their pairing as 'relationship goals.' Posting on social media, Faz hopped onto one of the most recent viral trends, whereby those in a relationship share how many months they have been dating. Alongside three snaps of the couple, whose parents are siblings, Faz wrote: 'How many months have you guys been together?' To this, she then admitted: 'Only two months as we had to keep our relationship quiet because we are cousins.' Alongside the short clip, Faz later wrote: 'As they say, keep it in the family.' Faz also described her cousin Ania as her 'lover' and even shared the hashtag '#Relationshipgoals.' But the TikTok clip, which was posted under the username @ user73530853762, has clearly left many open-mouthed, as in just 24 hours, it has quickly racked up 451,000 views. Not only this, but it's also amassed 13,400 likes, 309 comments and 27,100 shares. Social media users were gobsmacked by the couple's 'wild' familial link and many raced to the comments to share their thoughts. My parents are brother and sister One person said: 'Oh no this is not nice.' Another added: 'I beg your pardon.' A third commented: 'I feel like I'm in the 1800s, what is this?' Meanwhile, someone else penned: 'That's wild.' Can I marry my cousin in the UK? ACROSS the globe, more than 10 percent of marriages are between first or second cousins. In the UK, there's no legal bar to two cousins having a relationship. That means that if end up falling for the children of your aunts and uncles, there's nothing stopping you from eventually tying the knot. If you're over the age of 18, you can do this without the consent of your legal guardian or parent. First-cousin marriages were once quite common in Europe, especially among the elite. At the same time, one rude troll slammed: 'Wronguns.' But clearly bothered by the nasty remark, Faz confidently clapped back and wrote: 'Cheers.' Not only this, but one user asked: 'Do these kinds of relationships run in the family?' In response, Faz shared: 'Yes, why?' Amongst the judgement, Faz's girlfriend Ania commented on the post and beamed: 'I love you babe ❤️❤️'
The Guardian
19-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Guardian
Serial dating and push presents: love in the age of the algorithm is complex
Sitting in a hospital bed, pregnant Campbell Puckett, known as 'Pookie', is handed a Craie Kelly Epsom 25 Hermès bag (retailing around £20,000) by her husband, Jett. 'It's time for her push present,' he says behind the camera. The husband and wife are arguably the internet's favourite heterosexual couple at the moment, and if they are anything to go by, the standards for modern romance are high. Jett recently gave Pookie a single instruction on one of their European getaways: 'Do not leave Paris without a Birkin.' Luxury unboxings are a staple on their #relationshipgoals have increasingly influenced viewers' standards and expectations in their own relationships. The spectacle of lavish gifts and experiences can shift expectations and expressions of love towards the more demonstrable aspects of romance. 'If my husband doesn't get me a Hermès Kelly as my push present, he will be fired,' reads one TikTok comment. Sometimes, the deepest connections you feel toward a partner come not from the giving of gifts, but the smaller moments of kindness: preparing a favourite snack or a foot rub on the sofa. Growth and connection can come after the reconciling of a fight. Sometimes, love is just spending time together in silence. To their credit, Pookie and Jett also share more candid moments of love. 'In case any of you are wondering what Pookie's favourite thing to do is, it's cuddle,' says Jett, with a sleeping Campbell lying on his bare chest. Although one of their shared moments of breakfast in bed, sipping pink champagne and dancing together in PJs, was professionally filmed to launch their new merchandise line. These exceptionally high relationship goals are also found on the other side of the spectrum in the content of serial daters. 'Dating influencers' are predominantly young women who reveal all about their love lives to eager followers. Take TikToker estéeisonline, outlining her ideal man, she claims to just be looking for a '6ish foot, dark haired, good haired, moustached or bearded man … maybe with tattoos, who's funny (my kind of funny), creative, thoughtful, emotionally available, ambitious, makes money, wants kids, likes cats … and is my biggest fan'. In a later viral TikTok, she tearfully relays her disappointment at her date's request to split the bill. 'I just want a gentleman,' she says through tears. In this world of dating, if idealised standards aren't met, it doesn't matter that the date was 'good'. There is a personal cost to this style of dating. Hannah Zaslawski began a TikTok series where she tried to go on 50 first dates in pursuit of love. After experiencing major fatigue and burnout, she would suddenly call it quits at date number 38, and in doing so ended her virality. Influencers are almost obliged to keep drearily dating because the TikTok algorithm demands it. More uncomfortably, there is the question of our relationship to their relationships. Many of their viewers appear to live vicariously through them; something that becomes especially apparent when the relationship ends. Recently, when popular influencer The Wizard Liz called off her engagement to fellow YouTuber Landon Nickerson over his messaging of another woman, swathes of her fans had their own lives altered. 'If [Liz] had to go through this, us mortals, us little peasants … how are we going to survive?' declared another of her fans. In all of this content, it's apparent that influencer couples and daters make a deal – in exchange for sharing their lives with an audience, they are able to make an income through advertising and commerce. A couple becomes in effect a throuple – creator, partner/love interest and audience. Their audience buy what they sell because, in buying into their brand, they're buying into the ideal of romance being sold. Pookie wanted to be an influencer since 2017 and hit what the Cut called 'algorithm gold' when she introduced her husband into her content, after years of consistently posting with modest success. Items from their clothing line, Quintessential Love, are often sold out. Jett gives TED talks on how to 'authentically love out loud' like he does. Although, the business of likes has, at times, come between couples. Former Instagram it couple Jay Alvarrez and Alexis Ren's wanderlust relationship ended abruptly in 2016, when in spectacular public fashion ( destroying the facade entirely), Alexis told a fan that 'the relationship wasn't good for [Jay's] business any more'. Love in the age of the algorithm is complex – but creators and audiences would do well to remember that so is love in the real world. Zandile Powell is a video essayist and writer
BBC News
19-07-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
'Old-school romance feels special': What is the controversial 'princess treatment' and why is Gen Z obsessed with it?
The social-media phenomenon has been growing online – part etiquette trend, part relationship aspiration, part fairytale. Is it empowering, a bit of fun, or something more sinister? We're used to seeing old-fashioned, high-society courtships played out on such TV shows as Bridgerton, The Buccaneers and The Gilded Age. But now the fascination with period-drama levels of chivalry has morphed into Gen Z's favourite fast-growing social-media phenomenon: "princess treatment". Just in case you've been too busy attending balls in glittering palaces to follow the latest camera-ready dating trend, princess treatment refers to various supposedly fairy tale-worthy gestures made by women's partners, including (but never limited to) lattes in bed, flowers every Friday, partner-funded pedicures, and doors being opened for you. In social-media posts, princess treatment is typically contrasted with the "bare minimum" (think: baseline expectations of communication and remembering birthdays). And, of course, such treatment is eminently clickable: social-media platforms have increasingly turned private acts of affection into public displays. But how healthy is it? Part etiquette trend, part relationship aspiration, part fantasy – is princess treatment empowering, a bit of fun, or a sinister kind of turbo-charged trad wife-ism? Nearly 130,000 Instagram posts congregate under the hashtag #princesstreatment. At the heart of the trend is Utah-based influencer Courtney Palmer, a self-proclaimed "princess housewife", whose TikTok – viewed 7.6 million times – outlines her controversial expectations for her spouse: "At a restaurant with my husband, I don't speak to the hostess, open doors or order my food." Some naysayers have suggested that this is more like the behaviour of a prisoner than a princess. Emma Beddington in The Guardian called it "emetic" and "disturbing". And yet princess treatment is resonating, particularly in the United States. Why princess treatment is resonating "In a time where dating can feel transactional and often confusing, old-school romance feels special," says Myka Meier, one of Instagram's biggest etiquette influencers. To Meier, who has more than 650,000 Instagram followers, princess treatment is less about materialism and more about emotional attentiveness. "The fantasy of being 'swept off your feet' taps into a universal desire for elegance, respect and intentionality," Meier tells the BBC. With a new Downton Abbey film coming this autumn, and the heroine of Lena Dunham's new Netflix series, Too Much, fantasising about being courted by a Mr Darcy-style suitor, there's no denying the current appetite for depictions of old-fashioned, high-society romance. The aforementioned Bridgerton, The Buccaneers and The Gilded Age, not to mention The Crown, have revived interest in old-fashioned wooing, and made a romanticised version of historical high-society courtship accessible to streaming audiences. These period dramas have "absolutely" influenced his audience's dating etiquette questions, says etiquette expert Daniel Post Senning, author of Manners in a Digital World. "Our stories colour how we make sense of our emotions," says Senning, who is the great-great grandson of manners doyenne Emily Post. How the US fell for fairytales Despite having broken free from subjecthood nearly 250 years ago, Americans have long been enchanted by royalty. When Queen Victoria was crowned in 1837, "Victoria Fever" swept the US; American women wanted to know everything about her – all the way down to her Chelsea Boots, says Arianne Chernock, a history professor at Boston University. By the mid-20th Century, Disney's animated Cinderella and Queen Elizabeth II's televised coronation had helped to popularise female royals even further. And today? "Americans are interested [in royalty] in the 20th and 21st Centuries because Americans have become players within the Royal Family," Chernock tells the BBC. In 1936, Wallis Simpson – a divorced Pennsylvania-born socialite – was at the centre of a constitutional crisis when King Edward VIII abdicated to marry her. Decades later, Prince Harry's marriage to California native Meghan Markle (now the Duchess of Sussex) reignited US attention. And, adds Chernock, Princess Diana, though British, became "the people's princess" across the Atlantic for her humanitarian work and celebrity. "Diana had huge followings in America," Chernock says. "In fact, she even contemplated moving to America, because she always felt more support here." Many Americans are fascinated by royalty precisely because it's not theirs, according to Chernock. Monarchy floats above the fray of US politics as a fantasy. "Queens and princesses provide this fusion of private and public unavailable to women in the US, with a gravitas and a political role that's not comparable to our American celebrities," she says. More like this:•How the 'dollar princesses' brought US flair to the UK• Why the 'Virgin Queen' never married• Is burlesque empowering or degrading to women? As the world has moved to online media and social platforms, public fascination with the lives of the rich and royal (both as real figures and fictional characters) has grown. However, while fictional depictions and social-media influencers focus on opulence and ease, real-life princesses also have tremendous soft power, allowing them to be major players when it comes to diplomacy. "Being a princess is hard work," argues Chernock. Empowering or rebranded regression? Princess treatment is something of a misnomer, then. Rather than describing the lifestyle of a princess, it seems to be the social-media spin on chivalry, says Senning. In its original medieval context, chivalry was a knightly system with a code of conduct. But in modern history, chivalry connotes men's traditional and courteous behavior towards women, which some scholars say is a reinforcement of traditional gender roles and a manifestation of "benevolent patriarchy". On the other hand, says Meier, simple acts like pulling out a chair or walking someone home can clarify your care for your partner or date. "Formality slows things down a bit, allows room for appreciation and adds a little layer of magic," she argues. Harmless enough, then? The rise of princess treatment has sparked fresh debate, but Chernock says that the discussion is nothing new. Society has long used the motif of the princess to explore ideas of womanhood and propriety. "[The princess treatment debate] is a referendum on women's roles in society, and there's never going to be a single perspective on that," she says. The debate is the latest in a line of highly gendered relationship discourses and follows on the heels of last summer's trad wife fever. Trad wives, or women who embrace and promote traditional gender roles, captivated their followers with their nostalgic (often blonde, bucolic) portrayals of domesticity. The two trends have striking parallels – as Rolling Stone put it recently: "Is 'princess treatment' the gateway drug trad wives have been waiting for?" Princess treatment's similar appeal to nostalgia has sparked its own conversation about power. Why stop at the tiara when you can demand "queen treatment"? Perhaps, to those who are tradwife-inclined, it is the implied passivity of the princess role that appeals. The queen title has a "fraught, political" connotation, suggests Chernock, whereas the princess is framed through the rose-tinted lens of youth, romance and Disney fantasy. And yet, while princess treatment may seem like a rebranding of retrograde gender roles, Chernock points out that, on one level, the appeal of princesses emerges from their strength. "When girls play princess," she says, "they are looking for permission to be commanding." Or maybe they don't need permission. After all, if it's women who are posting about princess treatment, isn't it women who are in charge? -- For more Culture stories from the BBC, follow us on Facebook, X and Instagram.
The Sun
17-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
I got married at 17 – trolls say ‘child marriage in the 21st century is wild' & think it's a ‘single mum speed run'
A YOUNG woman has revealed that she always wanted to get married by the time she turned 30. But things took a slightly expected turn for Kennedy, 18, when she met her man, Brian, 19, whilst they were teens. 2 2 The couple quickly fell in love and decided to tie the knot when Kennedy was only 17 and Brian was 18. Now, the couple, who are from the US and are known online as 'The Byrds' have opened up about their teen marriage, leaving many totally stunned. And the youngsters have found themselves at the centre of a barrage of nasty abuse, as people questioned their decision to make their relationship official at such a young age. Not only did viewers call their relationship a 'single mum speed run' but others believed they would be ' divorced by 20.' The young couple, who live by the North Carolina Coast, where the legal age for marriage is 18, are preparing to celebrate their one year wedding anniversary this month. While Kennedy was under the legal age, in this part of the US, individuals aged 16 and 17 can marry with parental consent or a court order. Specifically, minors aged 16 and 17 require written consent from a parent or guardian with legal custody, or a court order authorising the marriage. In a short clip shared on social media, Kennedy posted a sweet video of her, just two years before she said 'I Do.' As she smiled on a boat, she wrote: 'Me at 15 thinking I'd get married by 30…' Moments later, Kennedy shared a video of her and Brian's first dance, a super special moment from their big day. I was a teen mum - staff wouldn't let me get my kid's ears pierced, it's insane Alongside this, the content creator penned: 'Two years later.' Clearly overjoyed, Kennedy, who recently graduated high school, described getting married as the 'best decision ever.' Social media users react But whilst the loved-up couple are in a wedding bubble, the TikTok clip, which was posted under the username @ brianandkennedy, has clearly left many gobsmacked, as it has quickly gone viral and racked up 9.8 million views. Not only this, but the clip has also amassed 1.2 million likes, 2,920 comments and 19,000 shares. Social media users were open-mouthed by Kennedy and Brain's teen marriage and many described it as 'sad' and 'wild.' One person said: 'Child marriage in the 21st century is wild.' Another added: 'Married at 17 is that even legal?' A third commented: 'That's actually so sad.' Meanwhile, someone else penned: 'Why is everyone normalising getting married at an extremely young age where you can't even drink, vote, or anything.' Not only this, but another stunned user snapped: " Single mum speed run.' Whilst one person chimed in and gasped: 'Divorced by 20.' At the same time, one user questioned: 'Were people supportive of you? I always see adults being so negative about young love.' To this, the couple replied and confirmed: 'Yes! Of course people said stuff but the adults in our lives knew us and knew who we were as a mature couple.'
Yahoo
11-07-2025
- General
- Yahoo
16 Signs Your Partner Isn't As Smart As You
Relationships work best when both people feel intellectually connected, inspired, and on the same wavelength. But if you're feeling like you're pulling all the mental weight or that the conversations leave you wanting more, it might be time to reflect. Here are 16 signs that you and your partner might not be vibing on the same intellectual level—and why it matters. When you're excited about something and they seem bored or uninterested, it can hurt. A partner doesn't have to love all the same things you do, but showing genuine curiosity about what lights you up is a big part of feeling connected. If they're tuning you out, it can feel like you're on your own. Research published in the *Journal of Personality and Social Psychology* shows that shared excitement and responsiveness are key to maintaining emotional closeness in relationships. Feeling ignored in your passions often signals a larger emotional gap. True intellectual compatibility means being curious about what matters to each other. When that curiosity is missing, the relationship can start to feel hollow. If you're always the one giving energy and they're not meeting you halfway, the connection starts to fade. Passion is contagious, but only when there's someone on the other side ready to catch it. And if they're not, it gets lonely fast. When your conversations rarely stray beyond 'how's work?' or what to eat for dinner, it can feel a little stale. You might crave discussions about big ideas, personal growth, or even playful hypotheticals that make you think. If your chats feel like reruns of the same basic dialogue, you're probably longing for deeper conversations that aren't happening. Great relationships thrive on curiosity, imagination, and growth. Without those elements, it can feel like you're mentally withering in each other's company. Staying on the surface all the time can make the relationship feel emotionally stagnant. You don't need TED Talk-level debates, but meaningful back-and-forth is how you stretch your thinking together. When that's missing, it's easy to feel intellectually lonely, even if you're sitting side by side. Relationships need oxygen—fresh thoughts, shared laughter, and ideas worth exploring. If your talks are only logistical or routine, the emotional depth suffers too. Whether it's your job or a side passion, it's tough when your partner doesn't show much interest or even tries to understand it. You don't need them to be an expert, but a little curiosity goes a long way in making you feel supported and seen. According to psychologist Dr. Terri Orbuch, couples who show interest in each other's work report significantly higher satisfaction and emotional closeness. It's not about knowledge—it's about effort. When someone asks questions or listens with genuine attention, it builds a sense of team. Feeling misunderstood or dismissed in something so central to your life can create an emotional rift. You want your partner to celebrate your wins, comfort you during setbacks, and understand the pressures that come with your career. If you're always met with blank stares or quick subject changes, it chips away at the intimacy. When they 'get' what you do—even at a basic level—it shows they value your whole self. And that feeling of being valued makes all the difference. When someone never challenges your opinions, it might seem supportive—but it can actually signal disinterest or a lack of depth. Healthy relationships thrive on respectful debate and the ability to question each other thoughtfully. If every conversation ends in a nod and a 'yeah, totally,' it may leave you feeling unchallenged or unheard. True intellectual compatibility includes encouraging each other to think critically and explore new perspectives. Without that kind of engagement, it's easy for conversations to feel flat or uninspiring. You may start to feel like you're carrying the mental energy alone, hoping they'll meet you halfway. While harmony is important, so is mental stimulation. If they never push back, it might be time to ask yourself whether the dynamic feels too passive to grow with. When you share an idea and get eye rolls, sighs, or sarcasm in return, it's not just discouraging—it's silencing. Relationships should be spaces where ideas are exchanged, even if they're unconventional or unexpected. A partner who dismisses your thoughts without curiosity can make you feel small. In a Psychology Today article, Dr. Steven Stosny notes that intellectual invalidation over time can erode emotional safety in a relationship. Being able to entertain new ideas—even if you don't agree with them—shows openness and maturity. It's not about agreeing on everything but respecting each other enough to listen and engage. If they can't do that, it's hard to feel fully seen or supported. You deserve to be with someone who encourages your mental exploration, not someone who shuts the door on it. When your partner shows no interest in expanding their knowledge, it can feel like they've stopped evolving. You might be diving into new books, documentaries, or hobbies while they stick to the same routine. This lack of curiosity creates a gap—not just intellectually, but emotionally. Growth doesn't have to look the same for both people, but there should be a shared interest in becoming better, wiser, more aware humans. If one of you is constantly seeking and the other is always resisting, the disconnect gets wider. You may feel lonely in your curiosity or even judged for wanting more. That's a tough space to be in if growth is one of your values. Lifelong learning isn't just about smarts—it's about depth, adaptability, and connection. There's nothing wrong with loving reality TV or light comedy—but if that's all they consume, the conversations might start feeling one-dimensional. Shared entertainment is often a window into shared values and intellectual engagement. According to a 2022 report from the Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, couples who engage in meaningful media together report greater emotional intimacy and intellectual satisfaction. If your partner resists anything thought-provoking, you may begin to feel like your interests are too 'serious.' You want someone who's willing to occasionally dive deeper—not every movie night has to turn into a philosophy session, but you shouldn't feel like the odd one out for enjoying content with depth. Intellectual connection can often begin through shared culture and ideas. When those avenues are closed, it limits how you grow together. Don't be afraid to ask for balance in what you both consume and discuss. Explaining things once in a while is part of any relationship—but if you feel like you're constantly teaching, it can quickly become draining. The imbalance begins to feel more parental than romantic. It's not that intelligence must be equal, but the desire to keep up, learn, and understand should be mutual. When that's missing, your partner may seem disengaged or emotionally dependent on your mental labor. This dynamic can make you feel more like their guide than their equal. It's okay to want someone who can match your energy intellectually and emotionally. If they're not putting in effort to meet you where you are, it creates distance over time. Healthy relationships should feel collaborative, not like one person is carrying all the cognitive weight. Being disconnected from current events doesn't necessarily mean someone is unintelligent, but it can be a sign they aren't curious about the world around them. If you want to talk about politics, climate, or global events and they always change the subject, it creates a rift. Staying informed isn't just about news—it's about empathy, context, and awareness. A partner who avoids these discussions might struggle to engage with big-picture thinking. This makes conversations feel small and your shared worldview feel limited. It can feel like you're alone in caring about what matters. And while not everyone needs to be a policy wonk, a basic interest in the world shows mental presence. That presence matters in a partner you want to grow with. Talking about values, goals, and dreams may feel intimidating to someone who avoids introspection—but it's essential for building a future. When they dodge every deep conversation with jokes or deflection, you might feel like you're building alone. These aren't just 'heavy' topics—they're the architecture of a shared life. Without them, you can't really know if you're growing in the same direction. If you're the only one initiating meaningful dialogue, resentment starts to build. You want someone who's willing to explore uncertainty and imagine the future with you. Those talks don't need to happen daily—but they do need to happen. Connection thrives on vision, and without shared reflection, it's easy to feel like you're drifting. A shared sense of humor is often one of the strongest markers of compatibility—and when it's missing, it's hard to fake. If your jokes fall flat or you're constantly having to explain why something's funny, it might start to feel like you're on different planets. Humor is more than entertainment—it's cultural, intellectual, and emotional shorthand. When someone doesn't 'get it,' you may feel misunderstood in deeper ways, too. It's not about having the exact same comedic taste—it's about feeling like you're laughing together, not separately. Humor bonds people through timing, insight, and emotional resonance. Without that bond, light moments can feel awkward rather than intimate. A mismatched sense of humor may not seem like a dealbreaker at first, but it wears on connection over time. Self-reflection is what helps us grow, evolve, and become better partners. If your person avoids ever examining their past, their choices, or their habits, that can be a red flag. It means they may resist accountability or reject the idea that change is necessary. Over time, this kind of mindset leads to stagnation—not just in them, but in the relationship. You may feel like you're doing all the emotional labor, while they stay stuck. That kind of imbalance becomes a burden. Relationships thrive when both people are committed to understanding themselves and each other. Without that willingness, it's hard to move forward in a meaningful way. If every conversation has to stay surface-level, it starts to feel emotionally thin. Complex topics—whether it's love, politics, or personal philosophy—add depth and nuance to a relationship. When someone avoids these like the plague, it may signal discomfort with emotional or intellectual complexity. That avoidance creates distance and limits growth. It's not that you need to debate every night, but engaging in real conversations builds trust and intimacy. If they shy away from nuance, you may feel lonely in your thoughts. That loneliness grows over time, even if everything else looks okay on the surface. Don't underestimate the power of rich dialogue in sustaining emotional closeness. One of the best parts of being in a relationship is growing together by challenging each other's beliefs in healthy ways. When your partner refuses to consider different viewpoints—whether about people, politics, or even lifestyle—it can feel rigid and small. Open-mindedness isn't about changing your opinion on everything—it's about willingness to understand where others are coming from. A closed mind makes for closed conversations. You may start to censor yourself just to avoid their judgment or inflexibility. That's not a recipe for real intimacy. It's important to be with someone who's not just open to you, but open to the world. Curiosity and empathy go hand in hand—and they're both signs of deep emotional and intellectual intelligence.
