Analysis: the TV series shows us how we value ourselves and each other - and how modern relationships look and work
Every year, Love Island takes over our screens and becomes a source of widespread discussion and social media debate. Originating as a celebrity version in 2005, she show as we know it began in 2015 hosted by the late Caroline Flack with 12 contestants gathered in a holiday villa to find love and the chance of winning a cash prize.
Due to its success, the summer version has even spawned a winter version. It seems the sight of bikini-clad good looking twentysomethings in an idyllic villa in a sunny location is wonderfully distracting all year round.
While the TV show is widely criticised for its lack of diversity and the care of contestants' wellbeing and mental health and panned for its hollow conversations and superficiality, the show does have a valuable social function. Hold on, hear me out.
From Love Island, meet the new cast of Islanders
Each year the show accurately captures the cultural zeitgeist. In previous years, Love Island shone a light, albeit unintentionally, on toxic masculinity and gaslighting. It also showcased the negative side of the 'personal journey' where consideration of others was thrown by the wayside in favour of being true to oneself.
The 2023 winter version proved once again that it reflects the moods and attitudes of our current moment. Many commented on the lack of commitment from the contestants, the 'grass is always greener’ attitude that is pervading the villa. While the show itself encourages this outlook and repeatedly adds 'bombshells' to the mix to tempt the contestants from their current partner, the response of the last cohort of contestants is more pronounced than previous years. What we are seeing is evidence of a world that is constantly looking for better, for prettier, for more exciting. A world trying to fill the void enlarged or for some, newly uncovered, by those pandemic years.
Contestants now have grown up with internet dating and the swipe-left-swipe-right mentality has transferred to the real-life version. The boys in particular seem to have a ‘swipe right’ mindset where their eyes are constantly darting around for something newer and shinier to walk through the door. They want to have the girl, but keep their options open.
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From RTÉ Radio 1's Morning Ireland, Love Island podcaster Orlaith Condon discusses the finale of the summer 2022 series of the reality show
The socialisation of gender is also always clear to see. The reaction of the contestants to a new addition to the villa is a prime example. The girls immediately doubt their worth, while the boys ‘back themselves’. In an attempt to move away from toxic masculinity, the boys are now talking about their feelings and regularly open up to each other. The girls are encouraging each other to value themselves and not settle for second best. This has in turn led to cries of toxic femininity and gaslighting, with men’s domestic abuse charity Mankind Initiative calling for action. The fight for equality and respect between genders is constantly on display.
Each year, key phrases become the watch words of the group and connection and eye contact are leading the way of late. Is it a coincidence that these two are to the fore in these post-Covid years? As they try to attract and couple up with each other, the contestants are amazed by eye contact and how it makes them feel. I initially guffawed at this, believing it a trite line rolled out to flatter their partner. But there may be truth in what they say. In an age of digital overwhelm, for someone to hold our gaze for any length of time is both unusual and unnerving.
From RTÉ Radio 1's Today With Claire Byrne, Mary Hayes from Women's Aid on their Too Into You campaign aimed at raising awareness of intimate relationship abuse
Love Island also contributes to modern day vocabulary and generates its own unique lexicon every year. As a lover of words, I find it hard to bear. But here are a few of these phrases now in popular usage should you encounter them in your daily life:
‘Deep it’
Likely origin is the adjective ‘deep’. Deep has now become a verb and is used as follows: ‘Don’t deep it, mate’ as a way of saying ‘Try not to get upset about this situation. Do not read too much into it. It doesn’t mean anything’.
‘A hundred percent’
Likely origin, the mathematical percentage meaning the full amount of something. This is now used with wild abandon. ‘She is 100 percent my type’, ‘Oh 100 percent mate’ in response to almost every statement. ‘Can I have a coffee, please?’ ‘100percent’.
READ: How to talk abour sex like a Love Islander
‘Dead it’
Likely origin, the adjective dead meaning no longer alive. Now used as a verb, ‘Dead it’ meaning to put an end to something, to nip it in the bud.
Lipsing
Slang for kissing. ‘He was lipsing other girls’.
So what does Love Island teach us? Every year it shows us how we value ourselves and each other, and how modern relationships look. Sure, it is just a game, but isn't that what dating is?
The views expressed here are those of the author and do not represent or reflect the views of RTÉ
