Guys, this is a post that I've honestly been debating doing for a long time.
While I definitely always post honest reviews, and some of them are definitely not positive, I've never really talked about controversial issues on my blog before.
However, the trope I want to talk about today is one that I'm seeing more and more lately, and after overhearing a conversation a couple of my young co-workers were having the other day, I decided it's definitely time for me to speak my mind about this.
So what I want to talk about today is:
Why Are Controlling Tendencies and Abuse Being Marketed As Romantic In Contemporary Fiction?
I'll admit that I have definitely enjoyed a few novels that others have felt fell under this heading (like Twilight, and the Luxe Series) but I feel books are starting to get worse and worse this way with each year.
This is by no means a new issue, it's been a popular trope in fiction for years and years, but it's starting to become more evident, especially with the introduction of popular series like Fifty Shades of Gray.
I've mentioned before that my degree is in Sociology, and the units I studied on abuse during my years of schooling are something that's stuck with me ever since. And so, I find it highly alarming when I hear teenagers talking about how romantic it is when guys in books and/or movies are so jealous and controlling because they love their significant other so much.
Jealousy is one thing, but when it tips the scale into controlling and emotional abuse, this is not the slightest bit romantic, and it honestly scares me that people are impressionable enough to think so.
Abuse is an issue that has probably closely affected almost everyone in the world at some point or another, and the latest statistics show that 1 in every 4 women has been a victim of an abusive relationship at some point in their lives. I can't believe that given this fact it is still such a popular trope in contemporary fiction today.
What kind of example are we setting for the younger generation that we're not only okay with this trope, but that we're encouraging and idealizing it?
I have chosen to personally walk away from novels that I feel portray relationships in this light, and I in no way regret that decision. Women and men both deserve to be valued, and it is not "romantic" when this fails to happen.
No matter what fiction tries to tell us, there is nothing romantic about an emotionally or physically abusive relationship, and I hope this blog post brings about more awareness on this dangerous topic.
Abuse is abuse no matter how fiction and/or Hollywood try to spin it, and there's no way this should ever be romanticized.
I'm interested to hear if any of you guys have also had problems with this trope, and if you also think it's a dangerous ideal to be encouraging?
I thank you guys all for joining me today for my thoughts and opinions on this controversial topic, and I hope you all have a great week.
This is not a sponsored post. All opinions are my own.
While I definitely always post honest reviews, and some of them are definitely not positive, I've never really talked about controversial issues on my blog before.
However, the trope I want to talk about today is one that I'm seeing more and more lately, and after overhearing a conversation a couple of my young co-workers were having the other day, I decided it's definitely time for me to speak my mind about this.
So what I want to talk about today is:
Why Are Controlling Tendencies and Abuse Being Marketed As Romantic In Contemporary Fiction?
I'll admit that I have definitely enjoyed a few novels that others have felt fell under this heading (like Twilight, and the Luxe Series) but I feel books are starting to get worse and worse this way with each year.
This is by no means a new issue, it's been a popular trope in fiction for years and years, but it's starting to become more evident, especially with the introduction of popular series like Fifty Shades of Gray.
I've mentioned before that my degree is in Sociology, and the units I studied on abuse during my years of schooling are something that's stuck with me ever since. And so, I find it highly alarming when I hear teenagers talking about how romantic it is when guys in books and/or movies are so jealous and controlling because they love their significant other so much.
Jealousy is one thing, but when it tips the scale into controlling and emotional abuse, this is not the slightest bit romantic, and it honestly scares me that people are impressionable enough to think so.
Abuse is an issue that has probably closely affected almost everyone in the world at some point or another, and the latest statistics show that 1 in every 4 women has been a victim of an abusive relationship at some point in their lives. I can't believe that given this fact it is still such a popular trope in contemporary fiction today.
What kind of example are we setting for the younger generation that we're not only okay with this trope, but that we're encouraging and idealizing it?
I have chosen to personally walk away from novels that I feel portray relationships in this light, and I in no way regret that decision. Women and men both deserve to be valued, and it is not "romantic" when this fails to happen.
No matter what fiction tries to tell us, there is nothing romantic about an emotionally or physically abusive relationship, and I hope this blog post brings about more awareness on this dangerous topic.
Abuse is abuse no matter how fiction and/or Hollywood try to spin it, and there's no way this should ever be romanticized.
I'm interested to hear if any of you guys have also had problems with this trope, and if you also think it's a dangerous ideal to be encouraging?
I thank you guys all for joining me today for my thoughts and opinions on this controversial topic, and I hope you all have a great week.
This is not a sponsored post. All opinions are my own.
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