Soapbox Sunday: The changing face of romance: Love and Marriage in the 21st century

Love is often called the supreme emotion, with romantic love and marriage considered the pinnacle... but is that viewpoint changing? 

Less young people are getting married than ever before. This is against the backdrop of high divorce rates among older generations. Where once marriage was considered society’s highest ideal, have priorities shifted in modern society? 

While marriage rates have dropped, the popularity of online dating has soared across the globe. This new technological era in the history of romance has made some aspects of relationship-building easier... but has complicated other areas. With online dating offering users endless choices, is the path to finding romantic love more difficult to navigate than ever? 

In addition to online dating, has the rise of social media created a culture of unrealistic expectations, convenience and instant gratification? 

Despite the changing romantic landscape, Muslims in the west continue to speak of immense family and community pressure to marry as quickly as possible. Muslim millennials face the unique challenge of having to juggle religious obligations, cultural expectations and western values. Are single Muslims under too much pressure? 

Join us to explore questions surrounding the evolving nature of romantic love and discuss whether perceptions and attitudes towards love and marriage are changing for the better.