KUWAIT: The landscape of relationships has evolved over time. In the past, relationships were primarily centered around commitments and long-term connections. However, the contemporary approach of the new generation to dating has notably shifted away from the traditional view, embracing the concept of “situationships”. This reflects a departure from rigid structures, introducing a more flexible and open-ended dynamic to modern romantic involvement.

Hatan Fatafta, 17, explained to Kuwait Times the “situationships” that her Generation Z believes in. “It is a term used among my generation to not give any label to a relationship,” she said. “Relationships should not be labeled. Situationship describes how people must decide by time the right term for their relationship,” she added, noting that it is a mix of everything with no restrictions.

Aliya Hammadi, 29, opposed Hatan’s idea of the new term, explaining situationship is a term invented for players. “In an era dominated by the Internet and social networking sites, the ease of acquiring various needs has expanded to include the pursuit of love. While platforms facilitate the buying and selling of cars, cosmetics and clothes, the notion of acquiring love through these channels remains a subject of controversy. In societies with conservative views on relationships, the idea of seeking love should be more respectful,” she explained.

She expressed concern that the new generation lacks a profound understanding of the deeper meaning inherent in various types of relationships. The emergence of new terms and concepts and the adoption of unfamiliar habits have introduced ideas that diverge from the established norms of Islamic and traditional culture in our society.

“This shift reflects a broader cultural evolution, as the younger generation navigates uncharted territory, incorporating elements that may challenge or redefine the values engrained in Islamic and traditional practices. The clash between these new ideas and the established cultural norms raises questions about the evolving nature of relationships and the potential impact on the fabric of our society. It signals a complex interplay between tradition and modernity, sparking conversations about how societal values adapt to the changing dynamics brought about by contemporary perspectives,” Aliya noted.

On the other hand, Issam Hamzawi, 37, offers a distinct perspective on Gen Z. According to him, this generation, epitomized by traits like honesty, loudness and pride, encapsulates a steadfast dedication to authenticity. In Hamzawi’s view, the characterization of Gen Z reflects a commitment to being genuine and unapologetically true to one.

“In stark contrast to earlier generations, where relationships often served as a primary source of companionship, the newest generation places a premium on cultivating independent self-confidence and self-worth. This significant shift in mindset underscores a purposeful move away from seeking validation through external relationships and towards a more internalized pursuit of self-discovery. It reflects a conscious effort to sidestep potentially toxic entanglements, and more importantly, a readiness to assertively decline opportunities that don’t align with their evolving sense of self,” he said.

In the realm of modern dating, the new generation has crafted an entirely new vocabulary, forming a comprehensive dictionary that often leaves the older generation grappling with unfamiliar terms and concepts, Sama Nabeel, 16, revealed that her generation created new terms to give some bad behaviors in relationships a name to recognize.

She said that one of the terms is “benching”, coming from sports, which entails putting someone on hold in the dating realm to explore connections with others. The concept of a “pink flag” introduces the idea of peculiar traits in a partner that don’t reach the severity of a red flag but warrant attention. “Zombieing” describes the reappearance of an ex in one’s life, typically after a period of ghosting. “Love bombing” denotes showering someone with affection early in a relationship only to suddenly withdraw. “Roaching” uncovers the clandestine act of a person secretly dating multiple partners while in a seemingly exclusive relationship.

In addition, “textationship” is when partners exclusively communicate through text messages, never meeting face-to-face. “Love haze”, a term expressing deep infatuation, underscores the potential blindness to a partner’s flaws during this intense romantic state. The concept of “rizz” emphasizes one’s ability to charm a love interest.