Should Romance Novels be Considered Pornography?
There is much debate over whether or not the romance novels commonly read by women should be considered pornography.
There is much debate over whether or not the romance novels commonly read by women should be considered pornography. Some people claim that romance novels are nothing but dirty smut, whereas others claim that it is a valid literary form. Some men claim that, if women are allowed to read these books, that there is nothing wrong with them looking at a Playboy or internet porn. Romance novels and written erotica have some key differences from the pornographic videos and magazines consumed by men.
First of all, the sex scenes depicted by romance novels are “soft core” at best, using ridiculous metaphors and euphemisms when describing body parts and sexual acts. It should be noted, however, that there are also “Erotica” novels that describe things in much more direct and crude ways. This type of novel might have more intense and “hard core” sex scenes than the typical romance novel.
Novels are also entirely the product of the author’s imagination. There are no real people involved in the sex scenes. Whereas with pornographic videos and photos the viewer is lusting after actual people (which can be a problem if the viewer is in a relationship), readers of romance novels and erotica can put themselves into the story. The reader can put herself in the place of the heroine, and whoever she wants (possibly even her own lover) in the place of the hero.
There is also a distinct emotional element involved in romance novels. The heroine generally will not sleep with the man until she forms an emotional connection with him. This is less true with erotica, though you still get to see the actual thoughts and feelings of the characters. With pornography, there are only bodies to lust after and you have no idea who the people are. With romance novels, the fictional characters may actually be more human than the actual people video taped or photographed in porn (depending on how well written the novel is).
Pornography objectifies women in such a way that men who are exposed to too much of it, or where exposed to it at an early age, may never really be able to see women as anything more than sexual objects. This can make it nearly impossible for these men to form real, meaningful relationships and may lead to an increase in violent behavior against women. Romance novels, on the other hand, emphasize the importance of relationships. They may give women unrealistic expectations about men on occasion, but this is still better than objectifying half of the population.
Romance novels might not be the most literary type of fictional writing, but they are still a step above actual pornography.
Liked it
romance and erotic stories are not the same as pornography pictures or films, as you said all the visual is inside a persons head. Some very good points made and an age old debate going on between the battle of the sexes which has been going on for a long, long time. Good read.x
excellent article. I might even draw a line between romance novels and erotica but neither have the visual effect that playboy does.
I don’t think very many romance novels use silly euphemisms any more…on the whole, the language has become more frank (a penis is most often referred to as a cock, for instance.) I still don’t consider that language crude, though some might.
Sexual discrimination again,
many men are very visual, whereas women are able to utilise words to the same effect. We continually put men down in our society for doing what comes naturally, yet when a woman has the same objective its considered OK.
It is interesting that some of the best erotica is written by women, (eg Ann Rice), and this is OK, yet pictorial is again considered a lesser art.
As far as M&B being pornography, hardly, but some of the other publishers really push the boundrys.
Out of interest if men are not to look at pictures of women, what would you have them do.