When did privilege become a deal breaker in relationships?
Would you date a nepo baby?” What started as a tricky TikTok trend has now morphed into a wider public discourse. Nepotism—once harmless, entertaining celebrity buzz—is currently shifting as an avenue to unpack family background, generational privilege, and inequality.
Nepo baby isn’t just a political term—it refers to a child of a famous celebrity, personality, or professional who gains popularity and success through familial ties.
Nowadays, it has sparked public discourse: Opening discussions about privilege, lifestyle, and deal breakers in relationships.
Non-negotiable deal breakers
Deal breakers are crucial to note in relationships, especially in the getting-to-know phase. It defines the non-negotiables, warning signs, and “red flags” that don’t align with your preferences and values. And it helps you decide whether to pursue or dodge the connection altogether.
Whether or not you are in a relationship with a nepo baby, these are the deal-breaking personalities you might want to watch out for.
1. Entitlement
Entitlement is a silent killer in relationships, especially if your potential lover is tied to privilege. Someone who is used to receiving VIP treatment because of their family background might carry these expectations into their relationships, which might strain the bond.
If they believe they deserve everything without earning it due to their privilege, it creates an unhealthy imbalance. It creates unrealistic expectations and one-sidedness, where one expects more than the other. This dismisses the idea of give and take, which is essential for mutual respect and valuing each other.
Whether it stems from wealth or upbringing, unchecked entitlement results in a lack of empathy and selfishness. Having an entitlement mentality in relationships without self-awareness of what is “too much” could be a deal breaker.
2. Lack of accountability
Charisma can sometimes be deceiving, as it often masks ingrained prejudices and red flags shaped by someone’s upbringing and family connections.
Accountability serves as the backbone of healthy relationships—a form of maturity and willingness to recognize mistakes and make improvements. One glaring sign is refusing to confront their family’s privilege and entitlements that they benefit from. This lack of accountability and denial could strain the relationship, especially if you’re someone who upholds social justice, awareness, and empathy.
Setting clear boundaries is important if the potential partner refuses to acknowledge their history and prerogative, as it can lead to conflict in the relationship. If they become defensive or dismissive, it’s a definite cue of incompatibility. After all, the foundation of healthy relationships thrives on honesty, compassion, and courage to confront harsh truths about their identity.
If the signs are already right in front of you, maybe it’s time to detach and walk away.
3. Out of touch
Someone raised with a silver spoon may be used to luxury and financial freedom, which is far from the realities faced by most Filipinos. And while some are in touch with Filipinos’ lived struggles, others remain disconnected from the conditions that many endure.
Being out of touch with reality is a subtle form of avoiding harsh realities, dodging conversations on social issues, showing a lack of empathy for others, and displaying a general intolerance for things that they believe “don’t concern them.” If both parties don’t share the same values, whether in politics, long-term planning, or life goals, it will erode emotional connection and could lead to heated conversations in the long run.
Nowadays, awareness is essential. People may hold different beliefs and principles, but having social consciousness is a sign of maturity and respecting lived experiences outside your own bubble.
Healthy relationships don’t simply thrive with chemistry alone; they need empathy and awareness to have more depth.
What matters the most
Love holds great power in any relationship, but this should never silence your values and principles in life. Standing by your beliefs, despite emotional ties, is an act of self-respect—one thing you should always uphold. Prioritizing accountability over blind devotion speaks volumes as it signifies maturity and awareness.
Every choice you make paints your character and integrity that you’ll carry over time and will last a lifetime. At the end of the day, your name is your greatest legacy. Hence, binding yourself to someone with a stained reputation or toxic personality will corrupt you in no time by impeding your growth and adversely affecting your overall success in life.
Dating a nepo baby is not intrinsically bad. Their title alone doesn’t automatically signal a red flag. Not all “nepo babies” are problematic—some have proved themselves through hard work, acknowledged their privileges, and uphold integrity. Things only get messy when they get blinded by their privilege and entitlement, especially if it comes from the public resources meant for communal growth.
Relationships shouldn’t burden you with unwanted baggage or risk your reputation. What truly matters is prioritizing your morals over anything else.
Everything is political, and love is no exception.
