Contemporary romance is indelibly shaped by dating apps, social media influencers and reality television shows. The papers on this panel explore how romance, marriage and dating practices-- and the the religious norms that condemn or sanction them-- are transformed through the media of popular culture.
Worried about a rising rate of unhappy marriages, several Muslim authority figures have extensively discussed the need to protect marital unions. Beyond religious professionals, cultural producers are also leading conversations around marriage preservation in the American Muslim communities (Thonnart 2023). Understanding the leadership role of cultural producers in shaping religious communities (Jackson 2017), this paper considers the stakes of their socio-religious activism; and how various platforms and (art) forms are mobilized to (re-)imagine the culture of marriage today. One such cultural producer is Yasmin Elhady. Wearing many hats, the former matchmaker has become actively involved in the American Muslim community as a comic and relationship advisor. This paper examines the ethic of relationships and marriage that she articulates and cultivates through her public interventions. It shows how she actively engages members of the Muslim community about becoming “proactive protectors of our union.” (Elhady 2020).
How do new digital dating practices and technologies challenge, entrench, or reanimate religious norms and values, offering insights into the evolving relationship between faith, sexuality, and digital culture among black women? In this paper, I explore dating story videos of black women content creators on social media, focusing on their experiences navigating dating apps, dating interactions in physical and digital sites, and their resulting dating advice. This study stands out by integrating digital womanist ethics to understand the sexual racism and gendered harassment that black women encounter online. By examining popular videos under the hashtags #blackwomendating and #singleblackfemale, this study examines how black women express their sexual and gender identities in digital spaces. These videos bring to light the challenges of digital-sexual racism, interracial dating dynamics, opaque algorithms, and socio-religious pressures of “dating down”, accepting “struggle love”, and remaining “humble” while dating.
This paper examines the portrayal of religious influence in the creation and immigration process of the K-1 visa, as showcased in the popular reality TV show "90 Day Fiancé." Through an analysis of the show's depiction of couples navigating the complexities of intercultural relationships, the broader religious influences shaping American immigration policies and practices are examined. Drawing upon the experiences of couples featured on "90 Day Fiancé", I argue how religion serves as a significant factor in the K-1 visa process. The cultural contexts and dynamics between couples of different religious backgrounds as shown on "90 Day Fiancé", highlight the profound impact of religion on immigrant experiences in the United States. Furthermore, the portrayal of religion in media, particularly reality television, is considered.