Is it 'embarrassing' to have a boyfriend? Why the internet is discussing it.

Is having a boyfriend embarrassing now? The internet is divided.

Since an Oct. 25 British Vogue article posed that question in its headline, it has sparked a viral debate about heterosexual relationships.

While the author, Chanté Joseph, framed the headline as an inquiry, she makes her stance clear: Heterosexual women "don’t want to be seen as being all about their man," she says.

"Being partnered doesn’t affirm your womanhood anymore; it is no longer considered an achievement," Joseph writes in the article.

On social media, people have a lot to say in response — one way or another.

"Vogue is right having a boyfriend is embarrassing!!!" one person wrote on X. Another called the piece "even sillier than the title."

Why is the internet talking about boyfriends being embarrassing?

Joseph's opinion piece speaks to how women showcase their relationships online, especially in a world of soft- and hard-launching.

"To me, it feels like the result of women wanting to straddle two worlds: one where they can receive the social benefits of having a partner, but also not appear so boyfriend-obsessed that they come across as quite culturally loser-ish," Joseph writes.

But, she clarifies, "there’s no shame in falling in love."

On TikTok, Joseph said she spoke to many women — both single and in relationships — in the process of writing the article who raised similar themes.

"There was this idea of there not being a solidarity with other women, and there was this idea of a relationship just by default being something that rendered you quite uncool," she said in a video posted on Oct. 26 that has been viewed more than 5 million times to date.

In another video, the writer shared that her TikTok followers had grown by 30,000 since the story published.

Supporters say story has 'shaken the world of women'

Among the wide spectrum of opinions about the piece, some people said online that they related or agreed with being fulfilled in singledom.

"Vogue called having a boyfriend embarrassing," one person wrote on X. "Finally, something I’m naturally gifted at."

Another wrote, "I just want to make it clear that I thought having a boyfriend was embarrassing way before Vogue said it."

Many others, though, justified the argument with their own conditions.

"Is having a boyfriend embarrassing or is the person you're choosing to commit to embarrassing?" one person on TikTok said.

Another wrote, "This British Vogue article isn't about hating love. It's about how somewhere along the way, we made being loved feel like proof we're worth something."

"That vogue article is too real, if he’s not obsessed with you just be single cause anything less is embarrassing," a X user wrote.

Meanwhile, some people flat out praised the piece.

One person said it's "incredible to see an intelligent woman articulate the things you’ve felt for years."

Another said the article "has shaken the world of women forever. History will cite how dating changed forever because women realized men are embarrassing."

Critics argue the right boyfriend is not embarrassing

However, plenty of people have criticized the article as cynical or inaccurate.

"Articles like these do nothing more than reassure and support the emotions of people who can't create happy relationships," one TikToker said.

Other users said their experience with relationships is different.

"Dear Vogue, my boyfriend is the best thing that ever happened to me, he’s no where near embarrassing," someone said on X.

"Sorry Vogue but having a boyfriend is only embarrassing if he's a loser," one person said on TikTok, adding, "Mine is not a loser."

Melina Khan is a national trending reporter for USA TODAY. She can be reached at [email protected].