Throning: Why Gen Z’s New Dating Trend Redefines Traditional Gold-Digging

There seems to be no end to the new slang terms being thought up by Generation Z, with one coming out almost every day. In the past we had terms like “Gold Digging” and “Slumming it,” but now we can add “throning” to the mix.

Throning is a relatively new term that has gained popularity in recent times, particularly in the context of dating and social media. It refers to the act of flaunting a partner primarily for their status or popularity, rather than valuing them for who they are as a person.

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In essence, it’s about using someone as an accessory to elevate one’s own social standing. While it may seem flattering initially, it often lacks genuine emotional connection and can lead to feelings of being used or objectified.

So this is a kind of gold-digging, only it’s for status, not just money.

For those of us from the older generations, this is what we would have once called “social climbing.”

According to The Swaddle, a 2018 survey of 1,000 single users of an online dating app had 9% of the responders admitting to having used dating as a means to elevate themselves socially. Meanwhile, 27% reported believing that they had been used as a rung on the social ladder by their former partners. The Swaddle said that dating someone solely for their social status and influence is beginning to become rather mainstream in the digital age. “Inspired by celeb couples like Kim Kardashian and Kanye West, throning is another word for dating someone who boosts your reputation — and, probably, ego — just by association,” notes a lifestyle magazine.

The increasing prevalence of throning can be attributed, in part, to the rise of social media platforms like Instagram. These platforms offer a constant stream of images showcasing the opulent lifestyles of the rich and famous, making wealth and status appear more desirable and attainable than ever before. In a society that equates success and status with happiness and fulfillment, the trend of throning has found fertile ground to grow.