June 3rd 2024.
Get ready to tune in tonight because Love Island is back on our screens! But unfortunately, the excitement of the new series has already been overshadowed by some negative and discriminatory comments. Since its revival in 2015, Love Island has been known for sparking controversy over the types of contestants it chooses, their appearance, and even their age. And with the new series set to kick off tonight on ITV2, it seems like this year will be no different.
As soon as the lineup was revealed, viewers wasted no time in tearing apart this summer's contestants, specifically criticizing their outward appearance with harshness and insensitivity. Some fans have commented on the female contestants looking older than their age, with one even going as far as saying "24 going on 42." It's disheartening to see these hurtful comments, but unfortunately, it's not surprising.
At just 29 years old, Patsy Field is the oldest Islander this year. And while 29 is still a young age, the pressure to look "perfect" on Love Island is immense. Both men and women have been known to hit the gym, go on extreme diets, and get cosmetic procedures before their appearance on the show. This only adds to the already unrealistic beauty standards that are set for everyone, and it's something that needs to be addressed.
But it's not just about unrealistic beauty standards. Love Island also sets the women up for failure by constantly scrutinizing their appearance. As mentioned before, the negative comments were directed towards the female Islanders, while the men received less criticism. This year's ladies have already faced harsh judgement from the show's fans on social media, and it's disheartening to see that most of the criticism comes from other women.
The internet can be a brutal place, especially during this time of year when Love Island is on. And when some of the female contestants talk about getting cosmetic procedures, the comments become even more vicious. It's important to remember that it's their right to do what they want with their appearance, and they shouldn't be judged for it. Yet, comments like "That's a rough 26..." or "Why are they all elderly?" still manage to slip through the cracks. And let's not forget that the age range for the female Islanders this year is only 24 to 29, making these comments even more harmful.
Even those who try to defend themselves or not be judgemental still fall short. One viewer wrote, "Not being ageist, but how is she 24? Says someone not in their 20s." But no matter how you look at it, that statement is ageist and sexist. As someone who is no longer in the age range to be on the show, the obsession with age is one of the reasons why I struggle to get on board with Love Island. Society already puts pressure on women to look younger, and we don't need a TV show adding to the noise.
It seems like Love Island suggests that once a woman reaches 30, she's deemed too old for the show or even finding love. But let's not forget that in reality, the average age for women to get married in the UK is 33. And let's also not forget the shocking reaction to 30-year-old Charlotte Sumner, the oldest female contestant on the show last year. The boys were delighted by her appearance but stunned when she revealed her age, with one even saying, "You don't look 30 though. You've got nice teeth." This just goes to show how subjective and irrelevant age can be.
As someone who is over 30, I can assure you that I still have all my teeth, and I'm in good health. The only notable change is that I can't handle as many drinks as I used to. So it's safe to say that I have no interest in Love Island trying to add to the societal pressure of aging. Let's focus on the love and drama, and leave the ageism and sexism behind. Love Island starts tonight at 9pm on ITV2, and I, for one, will not be tuning in.
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