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First Post
2 days ago
- Politics
- First Post
Gen Z is divided on dating and love. Is politics to blame?
Data from elections in several countries shows that women aged 18-29 are becoming significantly more liberal, while young men are leaning more conservative. And a recent 30-country study found Generation Z more divided than other generations on key questions around gender equality. Is politics the root cause of these problems surrounding dating and love? read more Heterosexual relationships are often underpinned by unequal divisions of emotional and domestic labour. Pixabay The last year has highlighted a political divide between young men and women. Data from elections in several countries shows that women aged 18-29 are becoming significantly more liberal, while young men are leaning more conservative. And a recent 30-country study found gen Z more divided than other generations on key questions around gender equality. At the same time, there is growing evidence that this cohort is turning away from traditional dating and long-term romantic relationships. According to the National Survey of Family Growth, in the US between 2022 and 2023, 24 per cent of men and 13 per cent of women aged 22-34 reported no sexual activity in the past year. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD This is a significant increase on previous years. And American teens are less likely to have romantic relationships than teenagers of previous generations. In the UK, surveys over the past decades reveal a trend in reduced sexual activity, in terms of both frequency and number of partners, among young people. Dating apps are also losing their lustre, with the top platforms seeing significant user declines among heterosexual gen Z users in the last year. Is the gendered political divide making dating harder? As sociologists of intimacy, our work has shown how relationships are affected by larger social, economic and political trends. Our research on enduring gender inequality has shown that it can affect the perceived quality of intimate relationships and relationship stability. For example, heterosexual relationships are often underpinned by unequal divisions of emotional and domestic labour, even among partners with similar incomes. Some commentators and researchers have identified a trend of 'heteropessimism' — a disillusionment with heterosexual relationships, often marked by irony, detachment or frustration. Anecdotally, women have widely expressed with the gender inequality that can emerge in relationships with men. But heteropessimism has been identified among men too, and research has found that women are, on average, happier being single than men. Take domestic labour. Despite progress towards gender equality in many areas, data shows that women in mixed sex relationships still shoulder the majority of housework and care. In the UK, women carry out an average of 60 per cent more unpaid work than men. This gap persists even among couples who both work full-time. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD In Korea, persistent gender inequality is thought to be behind the 4B movement. Young Korean women, fed up with sexist stereotypes which tie women to traditional roles, have declared their rejection of marriage, childbirth, dating and sex with men. Beyond Korea, young women have declared themselves 'boy sober'. Harassment, abuse and 'toxic behaviour' on dating apps has reportedly driven young women away from wanting to . Others have embraced voluntary celibacy. One reason is that, for some women, the erosion of reproductive rights, such as the overturning of Roe v Wade in the US, sharpens the political stakes of intimacy. Political disagreements that may once have been surmountable in a relationship are now deeply personal, affecting womens' bodily autonomy and experiences of misogyny. Research shows that those experiencing financial stress have difficulties in establishing and maintaining intimate relationships. Pixabay Of course, gender inequality does not just negatively affect women. In education, evidence suggests boys are falling behind girls at every level in the UK, though recent research shows this has reversed in maths and science. Men report feeling locked out of opportunities to care for their children through old-fashioned parental leave norms, which offer minimal opportunities for fathers to spend time with their children. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Some influencers capitalise on real and perceived losses for men, pushing regressive and sexist views of women and relationships into the social media feeds of millions of boys and young men. Given all of the above, it is not entirely surprising that young men are more likely than young women to report that feminism has done more harm than good. Anxiety and uncertainty But there are wider political and economic issues that affect both young men and women, and how (or whether) they date each other. Gen Z are coming of age in a time of economic depression. Research shows that those experiencing financial stress have difficulties in establishing and maintaining intimate relationships. This may partly be because early stages of romance are strongly associated with consumerism – dinner out, gifts and so on. But there is also a lack of mental space for dating when people are under pressure to make ends meet. Insecure finances also affect young people's ability to afford their own homes and have access to private spaces with a partner. There are, additionally, growing rates of mental ill health reported by young people worldwide. Anxieties abound around the pandemic, economic recession, the climate and international conflict. These anxieties play out in the dating scene, with some feeling that entering into a romantic relationship is another risk to be avoided. Research with UK-based heterosexual dating app users aged 18-25 found that they often saw dating as a psychological stand-off – where expressing care too soon could result in humiliation or rejection. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The result was that neither young men nor women felt safe expressing genuine interest. This left people stuck in the much-lamented 'talking stage', where relationships fail to progress. As sociologist Lisa Wade and others have shown, even when casual sex is part of the picture, emotional attachment is often actively resisted. The proliferation of 'hook-up culture' – characterised by casual sexual encounters that prioritise physical pleasure over emotional intimacy – may partly be a response to a cultural discomfort with vulnerability. Gen Z's turn away from dating doesn't necessarily reflect a lack of desire for connection, but perhaps a heightened sense of vulnerability related to larger trends in mental ill-health and social, economic and political insecurity. It may not be that young people are rejecting relationships. Rather, they may be struggling to find emotionally safe (and affordable) spaces where intimacy can develop. Katherine Twamley, Professor of Sociology, UCL and Jenny van Hooff, Reader in Sociology, Manchester Metropolitan University STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
IOL News
11-07-2025
- Lifestyle
- IOL News
The truth behind South Korea's birth decline: cash incentives aren't enough
Geochang County pays newlyweds up to 600 000 won a year, while Seoul and Gyeonggi Province are rolling out starter funds for young couples. Image: Christopher Politano/pexels It's no longer rural areas that are facing population decline. In big cities and countries, the sound of playgrounds grows quieter each year, and small towns are slowly fading away. This isn't a dystopian novel; it's the reality unfolding in South Korea today. The nation is facing a population crisis, with birth rates dropping to historic lows and entire regions at risk of depopulation. But beneath the headlines and statistics lies a story about women's choices, shifting values, and why quick fixes may not be enough to turn things around. South Korea's famed '4B Movement' is one example of how deeply culture shapes personal decisions. Originating as a bold feminist movement, 4B stands for 'no dating, no sex, no marriage, no childbirth', a declaration by thousands of young Korean women who are choosing autonomy over tradition. The movement emerged as a response to what many describe as persistent gender inequality, rigid beauty standards, and the social pressure to marry and have children. But it's not just about protest. The '4B' philosophy alongside the 'Escape the Corset' movement, which rejects restrictive beauty norms, reflects a wider shift in how young people view relationships, work, and family. As Dr Seungmi Yang, a sociologist at Ewha Womans University, notes, 'Women are demanding respect and equality before they consider marriage or motherhood. They're prioritising happiness and personal growth, and that's changing the social fabric. Video Player is loading. 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Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Surveys by the Korea Institute for Health and Social Affairs show many young Koreans now define happiness through personal achievement and relationships outside of marriage or parenting. Image: KELLY LEONARD/pexels Cash for commitment: Will it work? According to "The Korea Times", faced with these deep-rooted changes, South Korea's government has tried to stop the population slide with a wave of cash incentives, some of them almost unimaginable in scale. Local authorities across the country now offer everything from paid first dates to six-figure marriage bonuses. In Busan's Saha District, couples can receive up to 20 million won (about $14,700) after participating in a government matchmaking event. Geochang County pays newlyweds up to 600,000 won a year, while Seoul and Gyeonggi Province are rolling out starter funds for young couples. Sunchang County offers 10 million won over four years for newlyweds who agree to settle in the area. But this is where it gets interesting, despite all these subsidies, marriage and birth rates keep falling. Jinju City, for instance, handed out marriage grants to more than 4,000 couples since 2021, but the marriage rate didn't budge. Even in regions where large payouts have been standard for years, there's little evidence of lasting impact. Why are young people saying 'No'? It's tempting to think money alone can solve social challenges. However, as experts point out, the roots of Korea's demographic crisis run much deeper. Work-life imbalance: South Korea consistently ranks among the world's top countries for long working hours and job stress. Many young adults feel forced to choose between career and family. Housing costs: The price of a home, especially in cities like Seoul, has soared, making it hard for young couples to envision a stable future. Parenting pressure: Raising a child is seen as expensive and demanding, with limited support for working mothers. Changing values: Surveys by the Korea Institute for Health and Social Affairs show many young Koreans now define happiness through personal achievement and relationships outside of marriage or parenting. Dr Hong Suk-chul, an economics professor at Seoul National University, cautions: 'Throwing cash at the problem won't work unless we address structural issues, affordable housing, flexible work, and true gender equality. "Otherwise, we risk repeating the mistakes of failed baby bonuses and childcare subsidies.' South Korea consistently ranks among the world's top countries for long working hours and job stress. Many young adults feel forced to choose between career and family. Image: Mikhail Nilov /pexels For many Korean women, these policies miss the mark by failing to consider their lived realities. The decision to marry or have children isn't just economic; it's about respect, safety, balance, and mental health. The 4B movement, while controversial, has forced an honest conversation about what women want from life and love. As a woman and a mother, I see a valuable lesson here: real well-being comes from choice and dignity, not handouts. If we want societies to thrive, we must build environments where everyone, women and men, can pursue family, career, and self-care without fear or sacrifice. What can be done? Experts agree on a few essentials: Flexible work policies so parents can balance careers and family. Affordable, accessible childcare for all income levels. Support for single parents and working mothers Cultural change that values women's choice, whether they choose motherhood, career, or both. South Korea's population challenge isn't just a warning for policymakers, it's a wake-up call for all of us to rethink what truly makes a healthy, happy society.
New Paper
01-07-2025
- Sport
- New Paper
Hypeman, The Star can take centre stage
On the strength of their hit-outs at Sungai Besi on the morning of July 1, two last-start winners signalled their intentions rather clearly. Both Hypeman and The Star turned in impressive gallops and, if they can carry that form to the races on July 6, they could be looking at race-to-race doubles. Hypeman, from the stables of trainer Simon Dunderdale, clocked 39sec for the 600m while Lawson Moy's The Star caught the eye when running out the same trip in 41.6sec. Hypeman, who is down to contest the Max 2 sprint over 1,200m, won on debut in good fashion. The Dundeel four-year-old came off fourth spot at the 400m mark to win going away by two lengths in that Class 4A event (1,100m) on June 15. After going under the hammer for A$42,500 (S$35,500) at the 2024 Inglis December online sale, Hypeman arrived at his new quarters in Malaysia, knowing what it took to win races. Trained by Matt Laurie in Australia previously, Hypeman ran 11 times on the tracks around South Australia and Victoria, where he scored once over 1,300m at Cranbourne on May 3. He also had three seconds and three thirds to his name. The bay galloper is a progressive sort and Dunderdale - who also owns the gelding - would have big plans for him. As for The Star, he has a date with the starter in the Class 4A race (1,020m). Unlike Hypeman, who is one-from-one in Malaysia, The Star was at his seventh Malaysian run for Moy at his last-start win in a Class 4B contest (1,100m) on June 15. Before that, he was under the care of trainer Tim Fitzsimmons at Kranji. While there, the Buffalo Stable-owned gelding raced 26 times and won two races over 1,200m, first on Nov 5, 2022 and the next on Oct 28, 2023. After finishing third at his last race at Kranji on March 30, 2024, The Star moved to his new base in Selangor and immediately caught the attention of racegoers when he got up by a head from Race For Fame in a nail-biting finish at his first test in Malaysia on Oct 12, 2024. To date, the Hallowed Crown six-year-old has picked up four wins in Kuala Lumpur and placed in three other runs. His last win, on June 15, was a gem. Ridden by Laercio de Souza and having to clear that disadvantaged gate 10 in the field of 11, The Star soon found a spot behind the leader, Cool Sixty-One. He was content to play a stalking role, but the fun began at the furlong mark when de Souza said "go". Off went The Star and, at the post, he had put 5½ lengths between himself and the chasing pack. The Star will turn seven on Aug 1. On paper, he might seem old, but on his current form, there is still loads of racing left in that tight and taut frame of his. Then, there was Te Akau Ben. Another one from the Dunderdale yard, he clocked a smart 38.4sec for his training gallop over the 600m. That, after a spot of cantering on a track rated "good". While the Tavistock seven-year-old won his previous six races in Singapore when prepared by Donna Logan, he also saluted in a Metro A event (1,600m) at Sungai Besi on March 1. It could have been eight, but he had to settle for third at his last two runs on June 22 and May 17. The reigning champion trainer in Malaysia will be looking to have more good seasons with the New Zealand-bred, who will turn eight on Aug 1. Finally, from the morning trackwork on July 1, we suggest you take note of Achilles Pegasus. A resident at trainer Wayne Lim's yard since August 2024, Achilles Pegasus turned in a pleasing workout, running the 600m in 41.2sec. The son of Per Incanto had five trials before Lim sent him to the races. He made his debut in the Betmakers Cup (1,400m) on Dec 1, 2024, and repaid part of his purchase price of NZ$100,000 (S$77,400) when he took third in that race won by Rocky Bhai. The three-year-old galloper finished third on two other occasions before breaking through for his first win. That was in the UPBH Platinum Horse Club Trophy (1,400m) on March 16, and Achilles Pegasus beat Pulse Bomb by 1¼ lengths. It was an untidy finish as he laid in in the straight, and had to survive an objection by the second-placed runner before he could claim his maiden victory. Granted his last two runs in open company were dismal, but he takes on Class 4 runners over 1,400m on July 6 and, on the strength of his training gallop, we should see a much improved performance. brian@
New Paper
24-06-2025
- Sport
- New Paper
V'Invincible set to flex muscles over longer
V'Invincible's last-start second was full of merit. One could say he was a "good horse beaten". On June 15, V'Invincible ran second to a good three-year-old in Trees Of Valinor. The son of I Am Invincible lost by three parts of a length with Troy See doing his best to urge him along. It came in the wake of V'Invincible having to take third placings at his two previous outings. Trainer Richard Lim and owners from the Vgor Stable could have been beating their chests in anguish. But they would not be crying over spilt milk. Instead, they would be looking forward to June 29. V'Invincible will be lining up in a Class 4A event, and he has a few factors in his favour. He gets in with a handy weight of 54.5kg, the second lowest in the field of 13: just ½ kg more than Legacy Fortune. The former Singapore galloper will also relish the 1,500m trip. To top it all, he will trot to the start with a good gallop under his belt. On the morning of June 24, V'Invincible was one of the stars on the training track, clocking 37.9sec for the 600m trip. Lim, who opened proceedings with Wan Legacy taking out the first race at Sungai Besi on June 22, would have been pleased with V'Invincible. The strapping six-year-old has two victories to his name. He opened his account in a Class 4 race (1,200m) on the Polytrack at Kranji on Jan 20, 2024, before pulling off his second win in Kuala Lumpur on April 20. That day, under John Sundradas, V'Invincible came from fifth spot at the 400m to beat the Simon Dunderdale-trained Commander by three parts of a length in a Class 4B contest. That was run over the 1,300m. He will be even better over the 1,500m. Elsewhere on that day, keep an eye on Renzo and Witnessimpact. They came away from their morning workouts looking like they were more than ready to lock horns in the Supreme A race (1,200m) on June 29. Both runners did not go against the clock, opting instead for some serious cantering on a track which was rated "good". Set to turn seven on Aug 1, Renzo was transferred to Sharee Hamilton after his last race at Kranji in June 2024. And with six races won in Singapore when under Ricardo Le Grange, and one win on his Malaysian debut in Penang on March 8, the honest galloper has won seven races to date. At his last start on May 31 - which was also the farewell meeting held at the Penang Turf Club - the Orpen gelding plodded home a well-beaten fifth in the RS A race (1,300m) won by Lucky Magic. He is capable of better and it will not surprise to see him romp home a winner on June 29. As for Witnessimpact, he, too, opted for a spot of cantering, and it would have topped him up sufficiently for the assignment coming up. A son of Star Witness, the five-year-old has won five races under the care of Dunderdale. Owned by Foong Ah Weng, Witnessimpact last ran in the Class 2 Korea Racing Authority Trophy race (1,020m) at the Selangor Turf Club on June 15. For a moment, at the 400m mark, he looked good. However, he was swamped over the concluding stages and had to settle for fifth behind eventual winner, Filial Dragon. Witnessimpact came into that race after a 70-day break and would have needed that run. Watch him. Come June 29, he could reinvent himself as a winner. Elsewhere on the 12-race meeting, the 3-Year-Old Mile Championship is shaping up to be a hotly-contested event with a total prize money of RM200,000 (S$60,200) up for grabs. The 1,600m event has attracted 12 entries and, on the morning of June 24, four of the runners strutted their stuff with fast gallops over the 600m. Trainer Frank Maynard's Duma and Trees Of Valinor ran out the trip in 38.8sec while Tiang Kim Choi's Defeater clocked 41.8sec for the same journey. Then, there was Cheval Pegasus. The two-time winner from Jason Ong's yard clocked 39sec. It would seem the race for the up-and-coming three-year-old milers can be a mouth-watering clash, with the winner being promised bragging rights. brian@
Local Spain
17-06-2025
- Business
- Local Spain
EXPLAINED: The changes to Spain's bank ATMs that start in June
Have you ever seen a cash point at a height that is accessible to people in wheelchairs? Or with headphones or audio guides? You may do in Spain in the future. From June 28th 2025, withdrawing cash in Spain will change, with modifications made to cash points intended to help the elderly, people with physical or mental disabilities or those with fewer digital skills. Unlike other, more cashless countries, paying in efectivo remains the most common form of payment in Spain, according to data from the Bank of Spain. For this reason, cajeros (ATMs or cash points in Spanish) are still very popular here, especially with older people, who tend to pay more in cash. Often, however, this can present some practical problems for them, as well as for disabled people. Fortunately, changes in line with Spain's Accessibility Law come into force from 28th June. The changes will be carried out gradually as the law distinguishes between new and existing cash points. Banks have been notifying their customers about which ATMs are already adapted and which ones are still awaiting improvements, so that customers know in advance and can avoid unnecessary trips. Changes to Spain's 'accessible ATMs' In line with Spain's accessibility legislation, the following improvements will be made to cash points in Spain. The text on screen will be larger, especially for people with visual impairments The brightness of the screen will be adjusted to ensure better visibility The icons and interface, i.e. the design of the menus and what we see on the screen, must be as intuitive as possible The buttons must be raised Headphones for voice instructions designed for blind people Accessible height for wheelchair users, including platforms if necessary Staff trained in providing assistance to people with 'functional diversity' It will be up to the banks or ATM operators such as Servired, 4B or Euro 6000 to implement the changes or face fines if they do not. All new ATMs must include these improvements, while existing ATMs have to be modified by 2030. According to Ángel Sánchez, a lawyer and partner at Golden Partners, a firm specialising in real estate and financial law, these changes "require the user to receive, before entering their PIN, clear and detailed information about the transaction: the exact amount, fees, responsible entity, and applicable conditions. "Until now, this information "was not always displayed in advance or in full," Sánchez told El Debate. It therefore "reinforces the principle of banking transparency and protects the financial consumer's right to make fully informed decisions." However, not all of the ATM are necessarily desirable. "Without a doubt, this regulation is part of a broader strategy—although not always stated—of progressively reducing the use of cash in favour of electronic payments," warns Sánchez. "The truth is that it helps normalise a completely digital banking experience, even for those who don't want it or can't afford it." In Sánchez's opinion, "the main legal and social risk lies in the erosion of the right to financial anonymity, the increasing surveillance of consumer habits, and the potential exclusion of vulnerable groups such as the elderly, people with little digital knowledge, or residents of rural areas without access to adapted banking services." ATMs and bank branches in Spain are also disappearing at an alarming rate, especially in rural areas, with 2,000 cash points being lost every year. This has also been blamed on Spanish banks shift to digital as a means of cutting costs. Around 300,000 people spread across 2,500 villages in Spain have no ATMs in their municipalities.
