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Last fall, Chanté Joseph wrote an essay with the headline: “Is it embarrassing to have a boyfriend now?” The piece – about the politics of showing off heterosexual relationships – went viral; people debated it all over TikTok and beyond. (Even New York City’s mayor weighed in.)
Months later, Meredith and Chanté sit down to discuss why the essay hit so many nerves at once. Some readers hated Chanté's essay and what it suggested about the evolving values of women.
Others – namely single straight women – loved that Chanté’s essay highlighted women who are choosing to post pictures of friends instead of significant others.
It’s a complicated discussion – and Part 1 in a two-part exploration of why the concept of a boyfriend can be a bit … cringey.
This episode features a montage of creators who were inspired by Chanté’s essay.

They are, in order of appearance: @thanahit @maryarchived @jedidahbila @JeffHarryPlays @melvinoyx @rollotomassi @boyproblemsshow

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Are boyfriends embarrassing now? Some answers.