Throning: The Newest Dating Trend Putting Partners on a Pedestal
In a world of swipes, DMs, and dating profiles, it’s no surprise that new trends in the dating app scene are constantly emerging. But there's one new buzzword you might not have heard yet: "Throning."
This term has recently popped up in the dating community, describing a surprising phenomenon where people use dating apps to find someone they can put on a metaphorical pedestal, almost like a king or queen, rather than just finding a romantic partner.
So, what exactly is throning, why has it become so popular, and what does it mean for the future of dating?
What is Throning?
Throning is when someone seeks a partner to elevate in status and prioritize above all else, often for social validation. Imagine a scenario where someone actively pursues a partner who appears to have a higher social standing, impressive achievements, or desirable qualities that they want to be associated with.
The goal, therefore, is to date someone who can help elevate one's own perceived value, to, in a sense, be crowned by this association with the status of a sought-after person. Here, the throner places his partner on an imaginary throne adorning the latter as some kind of prize or status symbol.
This trend is not necessarily about finding a loving, equal relationship but rather the attraction to dating someone for their own impressiveness, almost as if you were collecting some kind of trophy. Think of it as the "dating flex"—a showcase in front of others that you have scored a highly desirable partner.
Why Is Throning Trending?
In a world of social media and through the prism of influencer culture, where status and perception reign supreme over how we view others, throning has been a way to elevate one's social standing. Here's why this trend has taken off:
Social Validation: Some people use dating apps to get self-promotion and seek validation. If they are with someone who is seen as high-status, it makes them feel good due to the positive attention such a relationship attracts.
Influencer Culture: The rise of social media influencers has brought about increasing emphasis on image and social status. People now view their relationships as part of their "brand," and throning is an avenue to increase their felt value through association with a person who is well respected or liked by others.
Attachment to Success: Nowadays, in most dating situations, success and high achievements are seen as a parameter that reflects attractiveness. That is why this fact strikes the chord of the people who want to be with achievers or else have all the aspects that make a person desirable, even though the attachment here is very shallow.
Romanticized Hierarchies: Dating has often been about getting a partner with a higher status—be it financial, social, or otherwise. Throning is the modern, digitized version of this age-old practice, intensified by the visibility social media provides.
The Pros and Cons of Throning
Just like any other dating trend, throning has its pros and cons, so it is very important to be aware of these things before adopting the phenomenon fully.
Advantages:
Increased Motivation to Improve: Some people may feel that they would be motivated to improve themselves by dating someone they admire. They may feel like matching their partner's accomplishments or attributes in some way.
Networking opportunities: The status of the partner will help in accessing new social networks, connections, and opportunities that may not have been possible otherwise.
Negatives:
Superficial Connections: Relationships founded on throning can be shallow. If one person is only interested in their partner's status, the relationship might lack emotional depth and true connection.
Inequality in relationships: Throning can also create a kind of imbalance in the relation, where one would always feel the compulsion to impress the other, while the "throned" partner may feel pressure to stay in that elevated status.
Unrealistic Expectations: The act of putting a partner on a pedestal creates unrealistic expectations. If flaws or vulnerabilities finally become apparent, the relationship can be derailed because the throner's idealized image is destroyed.
How to Identify Throning in Your Love Life
Not sure if you or your partner are doing throning? Here are some signs:
Excessive Focus on Image: If the person you are in a romantic relationship with values your professional title, social media status, or lifestyle more than genuinely knowing you as a person, that is something to worry about.
Boasting to Friends: If you feel that your partner usually uses your relationship to impress others rather than to build a closer connection with you, it could be a sign of throning behavior.
Lack of Emotional Bonds: This kind of relationship often struggles with the development of genuine intimacy. When one notices that the partner tends to avoid deep conversations and merely talks of superficial accomplishments, that may be a sign.
Is Throning a Permanent Fixture?
Throning may sound like a fad, though it may actually represent something much deeper in the world of dating. Given the importance of social status and personal image in conceptions of romantic relationships, this is here to stay.
On the other hand, as growing numbers become awake to the negative consequences that come with the search for superficial contacts, there may be a movement toward more real and balanced relationships.
For those who are investigating this new trend, there is a need for self-reflection as to what one is seeking in a relationship. Are you seeking a partner that will elevate your social standing, or is the search related to a deep connection that goes beyond superficial interaction?
Finding Balance in an Adversarial World
If you find yourself attracted to someone else's status or lifestyle, you should reflect on how that admiration clouds your judgment of the actual relationship with that person. Healthy relationships thrive on mutual respect, trust, and understanding, not on ambitions for social climbing.
While it is normal to feel attraction toward successful people, you mustn't let your admiration develop into idealization and become blind to the multidimensionality of their real character.
In a dating world that is increasingly influenced by social media and appearances, it is important to keep your feet on the ground. True connections are based on viewing your partner as an equal, not someone you would want to elevate or show off.
So, next time you open up your dating app, try to look beyond the flashy profiles and seek someone who will meet you where you are. No throne is necessary.
