Why 'Love Island' is the Most Political Show on TV

An exploration into the gender bias of modern dating

Every summer, the general public beam at the sight of young singletons entering the ‘Love Island’ villa. The series has become a cultural hit, amassing a global audience, as well as multiple spin-off series in various countries. Taking place over a six-week period, we see everything from physical fights to sex. As if the constant surveillance wasn’t invasive enough, deep beneath the surface level of romantic connection is where it gets darker…

‘Love Island’ is a reflection of the gender politics in modern dating. In an era where a large percentage of the population are using dating apps to conduct a shallow first impression of their partner, the show depicts an unnatural approach to ‘love at first sight’, where situationships are encouraged and exclusivity is a myth. Once you are coupled up with someone, there is an expectation to stay loyal to that person, despite this not being of mutual understanding amongst the contestants. Everyone on the show is there to win, which makes gaining connections inevitable. There’s pressure to find your soulmate in the villa, and with that comes many repercussions which only appear to inconvenience the women on the show.

The men of ‘Love Island’ are notoriously emotionally unavailable, seducing women with validation and then proceeding to fall for the next conventionally attractive woman who enters the villa. I’ve noticed a pattern where the women become attached to whoever they’re coupled up with and fall victim to the neglect of their partners once an easier option approaches them. The ‘bombshells’ arrival is a pivotal occurrence, catching the attention of the boys with the attention they have brought to themselves. The ‘bombshells’ are used as an opportunity to shatter potential connections, allowing for comparison amongst those who are at risk of getting dumped.

The ‘bombshells’ arrival, as well as the destructive ‘Casa Amor’, are elements of the show which I believe cause far more upset for the women of the series, as opposed to the men. Women are led to believe that being cheated on is a fault of their own, and the show only perpetuates this ideology. Being given the choice of multiple women who are offering themselves to you is not a scenario that occurs in real life — only on dating apps. But ‘Love Island’ provides men with an opportunity for limitless external validation. The women seek connection, whereas the men are there to play the game.

The glory of winning a £50,000 cash prize is nothing compared to the dopamine hit of having multiple women swoon over you at once. ‘Playing’ the game is far more rewarding than ‘winning’ in this scenario. The male brain responds to validation in a way that a woman couldn’t possibly comprehend. Men are taught to expect validation from women, hence why so many male contestants have reacted ludicrously to being dumped by their partners. The assumption that women should remain ‘easy’ is rooted in the subconscious of the male brain, due to the dominance of men within the gender bias. The world revolves around men. Feminism is still being fought for within the 21st century because men are the beneficiaries of society, and that’s not going to change.

It doesn’t take a genius to understand that men benefit from external validation differently to women. Traditional masculinity places value in desirability, wealth, achievements etc., allowing validation to translate into self-confidence, as well as social status. Because there are fewer support networks available to men, as well as role models who aren’t consumed by the manosphere, seeking approval from romantic partners is what fuels their sense of self-worth. When a male ‘bombshell’ enters the villa, the men start to feel threatened by their presence. The realisation that someone has arrived with the intention of stealing their partner challenges their entitlement and destructs their sense of value. This is often taken out on their partners, evoking jealousy and using this as an excuse for being disloyal. The idea that a man’s value is based on superficial attributes to his person is not a fault of women, however. The majority of women would rather have a boyfriend who treats them with respect than a boyfriend who is rich. Any woman who says otherwise is unlikely to be seeking personal connection.

Male sexual success is often depicted as proof of masculinity, whereas for women, having many sexual partners is frowned upon. The ‘Hideaway’ is a tool used to reinforce the idea that men should expect sex from women, encouraging the inequality amongst society’s attitudes towards relationships. Rejection is universally assumed as personal failure but leads men to believe that persistency can lead to a change of heart. Women don’t live under this assumption.

The ‘Hideaway’ promotes the same beliefs which are often presented through porn. The men of ‘Love Island’ view sex as a reward because of the belief that it’s tied to their worth and status as a man. To ‘score’ is viewed as a success of their own charm, although it’s heavily encouraged from the beginning of the series. Women aren’t allowed to experience sexual liberation without being slut-shamed, and whilst this doesn’t necessarily remove the novelty of the ‘Hideaway’ for them, it hardly leaves them with the same feeling of fulfilment that it does for men. It is purely a gateway for men to thrive amongst their peers.

The men of ‘Love Island’ approach dating in a less conventional manner. And whilst I’m aware that there is nothing conventional about ‘Love Island’, the disconnect between their own goals and the women they are swooning over temporarily is a cause for concern. When the male contestants are indecisive over their options, they’re often challenged by their partners, and their morals are questioned. The lack of loyalty is justified because men are taught that having a wandering eye is just a natural instinct for a lad. There’s a reason why far fewer women tend to cheat, and that’s because male environments encourage the principle that female validation is an opportunity to heighten your masculinity. Men usually prioritise their sense of worth over their own loyalty because it’s what they’re taught from such a young age.

When the women of ‘Love Island’ react to their partners’ untrustworthy behaviour, they’re often villainised by the general public for appearing ‘irrational’. Whilst the men sit there in an attempt to defend themselves, we watch as the women are provoked into displaying the heightened emotions of being under surveillance, in an environment where they can’t escape the red flags they’ve experienced.

The female contestants of recent series, who have gained the most success since appearing on the show, have been praised for their ability to stand up for themselves and not crumble under the deception of their partners. Grace Jackson and Shakira Khan are two examples of contestants who have made history for the way they’ve carried themselves in situations of conflict. Their choice to ‘remain unbothered’ by the treatment they’ve faced is actually deceptive to young female audiences.

You cannot have self-respect and choose to go on ‘Love Island’. What’s the point in applying if you’re not going there to win? Both contestants have stayed with their partners from the show, who made a fool of them on national TV. These men are given an opportunity to excel in pursuit of sexual liberation, an opportunity in which society has not offered to women. There’s nothing empowering about standing your ground if you proceed to let your partner disrespect you. There are no role models in ‘Love Island’, unless a female contestant takes the £50,000 for herself.

Although women make the most money following their appearance on the show, ‘Love Island’ serves testament to the cultural beliefs that men are the beneficiaries of society.

Women get their hearts broken, and their partners fail to succumb to the consequences. There are no pivotal moments in their exploration of external validation, because they don’t learn from their mistakes. We watch as the men roll their eyes in response to being shouted at for displays of manipulation. This is not rewarding for the women on the show, unless they then find a partner who treats them with respect. Moments of betrayal make for good TV, but it’s important to remember that the contestants are experiencing real emotions, and they aren’t in a safe environment to navigate them. Everyone is there to win, and not having your friends there to ground you makes for an irregular romantic pursuit. The boys will egg each other on, whilst the women degrade each other in their own desire for male validation. ‘Love Island’ might present itself as a game, but there are no real winners.