RIP to Toxic Dating Culture

Chai Podcast

On today’s episode, I have a conversation with my partner/best friend/boyfriend about the pressures of dating within the Bukharian community. We discuss the toll that the idea of dating had on each of us growing up, the categorical and mechanical way that relationships in the community seem to feel, how cautious we've always been in approaching romantic relationships within the community, and of course the work we've put in to unlearn stereotypical patterns of Bukharian romance. We speak at length about the importance of individualization, learning more about yourself through personal relationships, and checking in with ourselves to ensure that we are putting ourselves first when making major life decisions, including those about marriage, career goals, etc. We pick away at the toxic dating culture that has been prevalent in our community, and the desperate need for change to relieve some of the overwhelming pressure that lies on the shoulders of teens and people in their early 20s as they just try to do their best.