Is ‘Married at First Sight SA’ an accurate depiction of current dating?

Opinion

The dating show Married At First Sight has been subject to internet discourse since its first season back in 2024. Much of its appeal is the unique approach to dating, where couples start as spouses and get to know each other in a married setting.

Also see: MAFS viewers demand better casting and experts in season 3

The most recent season, Season 3, began tumultuously. This reignited last season’s audience claims that the experts on the show, consisting of couples therapists, intimacy coaches, and a pastor, are incompetent. Viewers expect the experts to pair and guide the couples through relationship problems they may face during the trial marriages.

Married At First Sight track record

The dating show is known for its controversial couples. From the very first season, the couples seemed mismatched and grew toxic, and some of the most promising couples ended up being disappointing. Only one couple from the season stayed together.

The first season was fairly successful, with three couples choosing to recommit. In a turn of events, the couple that didn’t recommit is actually the one that ended up together. Khumo and Thabang celebrated their lobola day earlier this year.

In the second season, some couples were toxic and unpromising; however, two couples recommitted. Yet in the reunion, none of them stayed together after the recommitment ceremony. This is when the audience began to claim that the experts were not doing a good job.

Season three started with drama, with one couple fighting over old texts, another fighting about lack of presence, and another getting off on the wrong foot in the conversation about sexual intimacy. The tensions and toxic behaviour only grew from there.

Which begs the question: what is the real issue?

Married At First Sight compared to other shows

Married At First Sight is one of many dating shows, both globally and locally, that have been showcasing similar themes, exposing toxic relationship dynamics, relationship drama, and vulnerable moments on national and global TV.

These shows usually have very unsuccessful results toward the end of each season. The most recent examples are The Ultimatum SA, Love Is Blind, and Love Island. Very few couples from these shows are still together.

The results of the shows usually leave a trail of chaotic, divisive, and strong reactions in online discourse.

Also see: ‘Married At First Sight Mzansi’ stars Prince and Esethu’s honeymoon drama causes a buzz

Reflection on modern dating

According to a 2023 Pew Research survey, 57% of Gen Z aged between 18 and 25 reported being actively single, not looking for a casual or serious relationship. Why? There are various reasons, linked especially to the current times. Financially, it just doesn’t make sense.

However, on a related note, the reason is that Gen Z grew up in the digital age, exposed to the toxic rhetoric around anything social in general. Time Magazine‘s dating coach reports that many Gen Z daters are experiencing dating app fatigue and are self-care driven.

Does this affect dating reality TV shows?

Considering Gen Z are now the eligible pool from which dating reality shows pick from, do the dating culture and trends amongst the generation translate into these shows?

According to BBC News, Professor Kitty Nichols, from the University of Sheffield, who studies popular culture and relationships, what is currently on the dating shows today plays into the features of current dating life, where there is a propensity toward disposability and a lack of exclusivity.

The article speaks on the cultural shifts in dating, referring mainly to Love Island UK.

Where Married at First Sight falls in

The most relevant example from this season is the youngest couple on the show: Hlulani and Nompumelelo. Both of them exhibit the behaviour running rampant in the Gen Z dating culture. The propensity toward disposability, shutting down and self-protection over and above coming together.

Is this perhaps the missing link for the experts on the show? Not taking into consideration the shifting dynamics, changing culture and overall attitude that the Gen Z dating pool has toward dating in general?

Also see: ‘Married at First Sight Mzansi’: Meet the 8 singles ready to take a chance on love