#Youthculture

Groundbreaking research published in the prestigious journal Sexuality & Culture has uncovered the sophisticated psychological mechanisms that drive young adults to maintain ambiguous romantic relationships known as “situationships,” providing crucial insights for understanding evolving relationship patterns among Thai youth navigating complex social expectations in an increasingly connected yet commitment-wary society. This comprehensive investigation into modern romantic behavior reveals that despite lower satisfaction levels compared to traditional committed relationships, individuals consistently choose to remain in these undefined partnerships due to powerful emotional investments, persistent hopes for official commitment, and the fulfillment of specific emotional needs that sustain attachment even without clear relationship definitions. The findings prove particularly relevant for Thailand’s urban youth population, who face unique pressures from traditional family expectations, social media influence, dating application culture, and rapidly changing societal norms that collectively reshape how young Thais approach romantic connections and long-term partnership decisions.

A recent study sheds light on why many young Thais maintain ambiguous romantic relationships, or “situationships,” even when satisfaction and commitment are unclear. Researchers found that emotional investment, hope for future commitment, and the fulfillment of deep emotional needs help sustain these connections in Thailand’s fast-changing social landscape.

The study, conducted with thirty-somethings and university students, reveals that Thai urban youth often pursue relationships that offer companionship and support without the pressure of formal labels. This pattern resonates in Bangkok and other cities where career demands, education, and digital dating culture shape how young people form connections. Data shows that even without explicit plans, individuals report meaningful emotional engagement and a sense of being valued by their partners.

A new study published in Sexuality & Culture has uncovered the reasons why many young adults choose to remain in “situationships”—romantic partnerships that exist in a grey area between casual dating and official commitment. Despite evidence that situationships are often less satisfying than traditional relationships, researchers from the United States found that emotional investment, the hope for a more official bond, and having emotional needs met often keep people attached to these ambiguous romances. The findings are especially relevant as Thai youth and young adults navigate complex dating norms shaped by social media, dating apps, and shifting societal expectations.

In decades past, getting a driver’s license was a symbolic leap toward adulthood and independence for many teenagers. But for Generation Z, this milestone holds far less appeal. New data and expert interviews reveal a dramatic decline in teens seeking the freedom of the open road, raising questions about changes in youth culture, mental health, and mobility trends with global resonance—including for Thai families navigating a rapidly evolving social landscape.

A global shift among Generation Z is reshaping the traditional path to independence, with Thai families feeling the impact of changing mobility patterns. Rather than viewing a driver’s license as a symbol of adulthood, many Thai teens now prioritize digital connectivity, safety concerns, and financial realities that influence their driving decisions.

Historically, obtaining a driving license marked a crucial leap toward autonomy for teenagers worldwide. Today, however, young people are reassessing what independence means, questioning long-held assumptions about mobility and social development.

A recent psychological study has revealed that individuals who experience high levels of boredom are more susceptible to developing social media addiction, raising fresh concerns about the digital habits of Thais amid the nation’s ever-growing use of online platforms. As social media continues to permeate daily life in Thailand—where platforms like Facebook, Line, Instagram, X (formerly Twitter), and TikTok are nearly ubiquitous—the findings provide critical insight for educators, health professionals, and policy makers seeking to promote healthy technology engagement.

The notion of being “just friends” — with occasional intimacy on the side — often carries the promise of romantic freedom, pleasurable companionship, and zero-commitment fun. However, the latest research and expert commentary suggest that these so-called “friends with benefits” (FWB) arrangements rarely remain consequence-free. While such relationships are increasingly commonplace among young adults worldwide, and even perceived as safer or more convenient than casual hook-ups with strangers, scientists and therapists warn that they are emotionally fraught and can leave a lasting mark on the people involved.

Casual dating is on the rise among young adults worldwide, including in Thailand. Friends with benefits, or FWB, promises companionship with occasional intimacy. But experts warn these arrangements are rarely risk-free, emotionally complex, and unpredictable even with trust and clear plans at the start.

FWB has become a social phenomenon echoed in Western discourse and increasingly among urban Thai youth. In Bangkok and major cities, dating apps, media narratives, and shifting attitudes toward intimacy shape how young people view casual connections. For parents, teachers, and health professionals, understanding both the appeal and potential pitfalls is essential to support youths navigating today’s dating landscape.

A new study links persistent boredom with a higher risk of excessive social media use. Thai users increasingly rely on platforms like Facebook, Line, Instagram, X, and TikTok to stay connected, informed, and entertained. Educators, health professionals, and policymakers can use these insights to promote healthier technology habits nationwide.

Researchers analyzed patterns among frequent social media users and found a clear association: the more often people report feeling bored, the more likely they are to engage in excessive online activity. For many, scrolling becomes a substitute for offline activities that lack stimulation or meaning. In Thailand, the issue may be especially relevant given the high daily time spent on social platforms compared with regional peers, according to local data.

In a striking reversal of expectations shaped by decades of sexual liberation, new research reveals that Generation Z is experiencing what experts call a “sex recession” — with fewer young people engaging in intercourse than ever before. Recent findings shed light on the underlying causes and cultural anxieties fueling this unexpected trend, raising questions about the future of relationships, intimacy, and sexual well-being among Thailand’s youth and their global peers.

A new trend is sweeping across South Korea’s youth: personality tests based on the concepts of testosterone and estrogen, labelled as ‘teto’ and ‘egen’, are becoming the latest markers of identity and compatibility, especially among young singles. This hormone-inspired typology is rapidly nudging aside the long-dominant MBTI as the go-to tool for self-understanding, social interaction, and even dating decisions—a phenomenon already echoed by pop culture and social media, and increasingly stirring discussion among experts.

A rapid trend from Korea is reshaping how young people think about identity and compatibility. A 28-question test based on hormonal cues, known as the teto-egen typology, has become a popular shorthand in conversations, dating, and online communities—outpacing MBTI in everyday discussions. The wave has extended into pop culture, fueling debates among educators and researchers alike.

In teto-egen, people are categorized by energy type and interpersonal style. The system identifies four archetypes: teto men who are athletic and bold; egen men who are gentle and appearance-conscious; teto women who are expressive and outgoing; and egen women who are reserved and traditionally feminine. Many youths use these labels to gauge potential romantic compatibility from blind dates to discussions about celebrities. A major Southeast Asian study notes that millions have engaged with these archetypes on Korean personality platforms.

A new wave of research and social commentary is upending long-held assumptions that drinking alcohol is a shortcut to popularity, confidence, or being “cool.” As reflected in a recent reflection piece from Psychology Today titled “I Thought Drinking Made Me Cool. I Was Wrong” (published July 2025), growing numbers of young people, health professionals, and marketing analysts are scrutinizing the links between alcohol, peer pressure, and self-image. As Thai society continues to grapple with its own evolving drinking culture, these insights hold timely lessons for youth, educators, and policymakers alike.

Recent evidence challenges the idea that alcohol makes people more popular, confident, or “cool.” A July 2025 reflection in Psychology Today highlights how health professionals, educators, and young people in Thailand are reexamining the link between drinking, peer pressure, and self-image. The insights offer timely lessons for Thai youth, teachers, and policymakers amid evolving drinking cultures.

The idea of the “cool drinker” persists in advertising and pop culture. Bar scenes on international TV and ongoing marketing campaigns suggest that sociability and success come with drinking. New data and candid reflections from former supporters question whether alcohol truly delivers social ease, likability, or lasting confidence.

Psychologists have finally cracked the code on what it means to be “cool”—and it turns out, the definition is strikingly universal. New research involving diverse participants from around the globe has identified six core personality traits that make someone universally perceived as cool: extraversion, hedonism, power, adventurousness, openness, and autonomy. This breakthrough challenges the idea that coolness is purely cultural or subjective and provides new insights into how these attributes transcend borders and societies (New York Post, The New York Times).

A global study identifies six core traits consistently linked to being seen as cool, regardless of culture. Extraversion, hedonism, power, adventurousness, openness, and autonomy emerge as universal indicators of coolness. The findings challenge the idea that style alone defines cool and suggest personality plays a central role in social perception—an insight highly relevant to Thai youth where image and social standing carry weight.

Researchers emphasize that understanding what makes someone cool goes beyond trends. The implications extend to friendships, group formation, and how audiences interpret influencers in media and society. In Thailand, where social judgments influence youth culture, branding, and education, these universal traits may shape how personalities are developed and presented.

A recent global study reframes “cool” as a cluster of six core traits rather than a fleeting trend. Published in a leading psychology journal, the research investigates how media and Western values shape perceptions of cool—even in Thai classrooms and communities where local culture blends with global influence.

Thai students, teachers, and parents are navigating questions of identity, belonging, and aspirations in a rapidly changing media landscape. With social media and pop icons shaping trends, researchers explored what truly defines cool and whether those qualities translate across cultures.

A new international study has turned a spotlight on the ever-elusive concept of “coolness,” revealing that the quality might be less about trendsetting or attitude, and more about six key personality traits. Published in the Journal of Experimental Psychology: General, this research offers fresh insights not just into pop culture, but also into the ways global media and Western values shape our perceptions—even here in Thailand, where local and global cultures intersect constantly (NYTimes).

A new study highlighted in international media suggests that playing video games, including those featuring violent content, may help in reducing stress—a finding of significance amid growing concerns about digital wellness among Thais. According to a report on TechSpot, the research challenges conventional wisdom that associates violent video games solely with negative psychological effects, instead pointing to their potential role in coping with daily stress.

For years, video gaming—especially games involving graphic violence—has been viewed warily by parents, educators, and policymakers in Thailand, who often cite concerns about aggressive behavior, addiction, and distracted learning. In its latest findings, however, researchers conducted controlled experiments measuring stress levels before and after participants played a range of games, from peaceful puzzles to fast-paced action shooters. The surprising result: players of violent games often experienced stress relief on par with—if not greater than—that seen with non-violent genres.

A recent international study suggests that playing video games, even violent ones, may help reduce stress. For Thai audiences navigating digital wellness and busy daily life, the finding offers a new lens on gaming as a potential coping tool when used wisely.

Research involved controlled experiments that measured stress levels before and after participants played a range of games, from peaceful puzzles to fast-paced action titles. The results showed that violent games can provide stress relief comparable to, or greater than, non-violent games when played with intention and balance.

In a world of rising uncertainty, Thai youth are turning to memes for emotional relief. A growing body of research indicates that creating and sharing memes helps young people cope with negative emotions during tough times. While the studies are international, their findings resonate strongly with Thailand’s digitally native generations navigating a fast-paced social media landscape.

For many Thai youths, daily communication happens on platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and X. Memes—ranging from clever wordplay to layered visual satire—are shared widely and serve more than mere entertainment. Research summarized by researchers and science outlets shows that meme engagement can provide tangible emotional support during periods of stress, including political tensions, economic pressures, and ongoing global health concerns.

As the world becomes increasingly unpredictable, a surprising source of emotional comfort has emerged for the younger generation: internet memes. According to recent research highlighted by Psychology Today, the consumption and creation of memes may play a significant role in helping youth cope with negative emotions during challenging times. The study, though international in focus, carries important implications for Thai youth navigating a digital landscape awash with humor, satire, and rapid-fire social commentary.

Imagine this: you’re standing at the top of a concrete bowl that looks like a giant, empty swimming pool. Millions of people are watching. You take a deep breath, push off, and drop in, the roar of the wheels on the concrete filling your ears. For the next 45 seconds, you are a blur of motion, flying into the air, spinning, flipping your board beneath your feet, and grinding along the edges with a shower of sparks. This isn’t just messing around after school—this is the Olympic Games. Skateboarding, once a symbol of counter-culture rebellion, has rolled onto the world’s biggest sporting stage. It’s a sport that’s as much about creative expression as it is about athletic skill. Get ready to learn how this street-born art form became an Olympic spectacle, understand the difference between a “kickflip” and a “grind,” and find out just how athletes are judged when every trick is a masterpiece of personal style.

Skateboarding has climbed from street culture to the Olympic spotlight, captivating fans around the world, including Thailand. A skater drops into a concrete bowl, the crowd roaring as wheels sing on the surface. In about 45 seconds, a blur of flips, spins, and grinds unfolds. This is more than a pastime; it’s a fusion of athletic skill and personal artistry.

Sport Basics Skateboarding is the act of riding a board and performing tricks to earn high scores. It began in the mid-20th century when Californian surfers sought to “surf” the streets on flat days. Since its debut at the Youth Olympic Games in 2014, it has become a global phenomenon and an official Olympic event since Tokyo 2020. The sport appeals to a new generation of fans, including Thai youth who see skate culture as a form of self-expression and resilience.