What is ‘enthronement’? Gen Z’s shameless new dating trend is gold-digging with a twist

Are they a total catch or just an influential follower?

Gen Z has coined a new dating term for people who date less for love and more for social status: “Troning.”

According to PureWow, the term is slang for “meeting someone who boosts your reputation (and, possibly, ego) just by association,” essentially putting them on a theoretical throne.

A past study published in the journal Science Advances found that dating app users strive to find a match about “25% more desirable than themselves.”

“Enthronement” may not necessarily be a new concept. People have long intended to “date,” and the new practice may just be another form of “gold-digging” in an age where branding and social currency are as important as actual currency.

The Swaddle reported that there’s nothing necessarily wrong with hooking up to expand social circles — as long as it’s not disguised as a romantic relationship.

According to the paper, “the problem arises when one’s motivation to date another is driven solely by their social aspirations, rather than romantic interest, attraction, love and most of the other things that form the foundation of a relationship.”

The paper added: “Essentially, then, the throne prioritizes influence and influence over shared interests and values, meaningful connection and emotional intimacy.”

The “enthronement” trend comes shortly after a survey predicted which dating habits are likely to flourish in the new year, such as the “trap match” or the “creepy match.”

The former refers to being stuck on a date with a person who dominates the conversation, while the latter is a sign of finding a partner who likes all the same weird things, according to a survey by Plenty of Fish.

“Freak Matching” is an homage to the viral song “Nasty” by Tinashe, in which the artist poses the question: “Will anyone match my freak?”

Conversely, the survey also found that some partners find comfort in sharing the same dislikes.

“When we put less pressure on ourselves, dating becomes more about having fun and enjoying new experiences,” Plenty of Fish dating expert Rachel DeAlto said at the time of the survey.