Women’s issues
often loom large in the field of popular literature, particularly if
you count romance novels as part of that field. While much of the
reading intelligentsia looks upon romance and thrillers as pabulum, fit
for consumption only by those who haven’t cut their teeth on the
weightier tomes that rise to NYT bestseller status, romances and other
so-called lightweight reading often tackles some of the knottiest issues
facing society today. Far from being popcorn for the brain, many of
today’s women’s novels provoke deep thought and touch upon women’s
issues that affect millions of people around the world.
The Stereotypical Romance Heroine
The
stereotypical view of romance novels is supported by the impression of
the stereotypical romance heroine, often put forth by some academician
who hasn’t cracked the cover of a romance novel since they were in their
teens – if even then. Thus, they cling to the notion that the typical
plot of a romance novel involves some helpless-but-plucky young woman
who gets herself into a series of scrapes and must be rescued by her
Prince Charming. In their view, the most pressing problem faced by the
main female character in a romance novel is her quest to find the right
man and live happily ever after with him. Her prince, of course, is
dashing, mysterious and handsome – and probably misunderstood.
To
be fair, those views were once supported by the literature itself to
some extent. The old-fashioned stereotypical romance novel sold women a
vision of that romantic, mysterious, strong-but-silent man who was
emotionally distant and often physically abusive – something for which
the heroine invariably took the blame.
Today’s
romance novels have a far different take on the subject, though. When
they tackle subjects like domestic violence, they frequently do so with a
sensitivity and strength seldom seen in more mainstream coverage of
most women’s issues. Where old-fashioned romances often left women
living in abusive situations helpless and guilty, today’s romances offer
a variety of people empowerment – a validation of her strength and
encouragement to keep on surviving.
More to the point, when romance writers
tackle domestic violence and other women’s issues, such as illegal
adoption, drugs, human trafficking, sexual violence and cartels, they
provide a window of understanding into a world where these women are
discounted, victimized and discarded. By shining a light on the strength
and endurance that allows women in these situations to survive and
become stronger, today’s romance novels may have a positive effect on
women attempting to better themselves by escaping from their imprisoning
situations.
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