The Age of the Golden Retriever Boyfriend
Dr Tammy Nelson, a sex and relationship therapist, sees this as part of a broader shift. 'This softer, more emotionally present version of masculinity could signal a promising evolution in what we value in men—both gay and straight. It shows we're beginning to look beyond the traditional markers of strength, status, or sexual prowess. We're craving tenderness, presence, and emotional fluency.
In a dating landscape littered with ghosters and slow-faders, the appeal is clear: he's not playing games—he's just texting back. Relationship expert and author Shahzeen Shivdasani says, 'It feels like a cultural correction to the 'bad boy' era. Now, people—especially women—are seeking safety, laughter, and loyalty. '
The Golden Retriever Boyfriend, then, is the anti-toxic partner. He's not negging you. He's not vanishing after three dates. He shows up. Enthusiastically. But could the very appeal of this archetype mask something regressive? A softboy reboot of traditional gender norms— this time, cloaked in cuddliness? 'Not at all,' Shivdasani says. 'These are just universally appealing traits— warmth, optimism, ease. The same way men might be drawn to confidence or humour. It's not about reinforcing old roles—it's about emotional resonance.'
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Time of India
2 days ago
- Time of India
Golden retriever boyfriends are all over your feed, but does one exist IRL?
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Time of India
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- Time of India
Tinder, Bumble dead? Americans turn to these websites now to find love, junk dating platforms
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While 53 per cent of dating app users describe their experiences as positive, 48 per cent report encountering unwanted behaviors including sexually explicit messages, continued unwanted contact, offensive name-calling, or physical threats. Also read: Single people in their 50s open up to the idea of using dating apps Women under 50 face particularly high rates of harassment, with 56 per cent receiving unwanted sexually explicit content and 66 per cent experiencing at least one form of unwanted behavior. LGB users also report higher harassment rates, with 64 per cent facing unwanted experiences compared to 45 per cent of straight users. Safety concerns drive demand for background checks Safety remains a primary concern for dating app users and the general public. Americans are evenly split on whether dating platforms are safe, with 48 per cent calling them safe and 49 per cent viewing them as unsafe. This represents a decline from 53 per cent who considered them safe in 2019. 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