Common Sense Media Review
By Melissa Camacho
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Cursing in popular dating show from a fresh perspective.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 14+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Love Is Blind: Habibi
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
LOVE IS BLIND: HABIBI (translation: my love) is the Middle Eastern and North African (MENA) version of the Love Is Blind franchise. Actors and married couple Elham Ali and Khaled Saqr host 20 Arab participants from countries including Saudi Arabia, Lebanon, Morocco, Iraq, Kuwait, Syria, Bahrain, and U.A.E., all of whom are hoping to find their love connection during the experience. The men and women go on "blind dates" in "pods" where they're separated by a screen and can only hear each other's voices. After 10 days, those who make what they believe to be real connections decide to get engaged before they actually see each other. Once they do, they're taken to a romantic setting where they can get to know one another better, followed by a few more weeks to decide if they are compatible enough to get married at the end of the show.
Is It Any Good?
The spinoff offers a less sexualized and more mature version of the franchise thanks to a combination of traditional and modern cultural value systems that reflect the contemporary Arab world. Love Is Blind: Habibi is unique in that it offers a less sexualized and more mature version of the franchise thanks to a combination of traditional and modern cultural value systems that reflect the contemporary Arab world. Participants range from teachers to business and banking professionals, and most speak multiple languages. Some live in the MENA region, while others reside in Europe or Canada. Most of the women talk about how they travel for work, socialize, and pursue career opportunities and personal hobbies, but also find themselves negotiating social expectations being placed on them. Some of the male participants also articulate how they expect their wives to adhere to a much more conservative and patriarchal way of life. Western viewers may have a hard time with this constant negotiation, but it's important to remember that Love Is Blind: Habibi isn't produced to be watched or understood from a Western lens, or to be taken too seriously. Nonetheless, it challenges some of the stereotypes that folks may have about dating in this part of the world.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the people who ended up as couples on the show. What are some of the biggest obstacles they face throughout their journey?
How does Love Is Blind: Habibi challenge existing stereotypes people living in North America or Europe have about the Arab world? Is there anything featured in the series that reinforces them?
TV Details
- Premiere date : October 10, 2024
- Cast : Elham Ali , Khaled Saqr
- Network : Netflix
- Genre : Reality TV
- Character Strengths : Curiosity
- TV rating :
- Last updated : October 17, 2024
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