Part 9/12:
Underlying much of this discussion is an ethical concern: are these relationships genuinely consensual and respectful, or are they inherently exploitative and dehumanizing? Critics emphasize that commodification—treating partners as symbols of status or youth—erodes the authentic human connection, reducing relationships to transactions rather than meaningful bonds.
DiCaprio's relationships are often viewed through this lens, with critics stating that both he and his partners engage in mutual use, stripping away the traditional ideals of love and commitment. This transactional view of intimacy reflects a society increasingly desensitized to the human consequences of such arrangements.