Love Island has only been back on our screens since Monday but one of the most controversial moments so far has been the coupling of 19-year-old Gemma Owen and 27-year-old Davide Sanclimenti.
Before Davide's decision was broadcasted at the end of Tuesday's (7 June) episode, the public took to Twitter to list all the reasons why they believed the Islanders should not be together, with most people call out their eight-year age gap.
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One social media user even claimed they would 'file a complaint with OFCOM' if Gemma recoupled with someone over 25 years of age.
The age gap and the fact Gemma is still a teenager has caused countless debates and angry reactions online. In response to the criticism, relationship expert and matchmaker Paul C. Brunson, who is best known for his role as an expert on Celebs Go Dating and Married at First Sight, spoke to Indy100 to explain why people are so frustrated.
Brunson said there is an assumption that Gemma may be taken advantage of because of her age, which isn’t necessarily the case.
In Western cultures, an eight-year age gap is considered fairly large whereas it is not uncommon to age gaps of this size in heterosexual relationships in places such as Sub Saharan Africa, Morocco and Bangladesh.
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Brunson suggested that if the roles were reversed, Gemma would get more ‘kudos and high fives’ but there would still possibly be some backlash regarding the age gap.
Gemma’s age seems to be the key area of concern amongst viewers because, as Brunson explained, she is still ‘technically a late-stage teenager’ which suggests she’s still figuring her life out.
Ever since Davide entered the villa and started 'getting to know' Gemma, the couple's age gap has been a very divisive topic of conversation.
While 10 of the new islanders coupled up at the start of the first episode – as chosen by the public – 'Italian snack' Davide entered the villa later that day, wowing pretty much all of the girls.
The couple went on their very first date in Wednesday's show (8 June) and fans felt divided about how the lemonade-themed excursion unfolded.
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One topic of conversation that shocked viewers involved children, in which Davide asks Gemma if she wants to get married. Gemma says she does, one day, and that she would like to have four kids.
Davide disagrees, explaining he would like to have two but offering to meet in the middle and have three.
But viewers at home were not loving the chat, with one writing: "Davide and Gemma talking about kids and marriage made me so uncomfortable.
Gemma is set to express an interest in Luca Bish in tonight's episode, which will certainly come as great news to some fans.
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Love Island airs weekdays at 9pm on ITV2.
Featured Image Credit: ITVTopics: TV And Film, Love Island, ITV, Sex and Relationships