We all know that romance novels are good for us...don't we?
According to Susan Quilliam, a British relationship psychologist, this isn't the case! She says they "offer an idealized version of romance which can make some women feel bad about themselves because their relationships aren't perfect" and that they "may lead to women making poor health decisions including not using a condom during sex." She slams the "deep strand of escapism, perfectionism and idealization (which) runs through the genre." https://www.livescience.com/14985-romance-novels-bad-womens-health-psyche-psychologist.html.
Critics have fired rounds of bullets at our genre since the first romance novel was written. Consider the following points to deflect them.
1. Reading romance novels can inspire healthier relationships
Romance novels are a celebration of love and highlight many obstacles that must be overcome in achieving love. The characters are flawed and yet they find their HEA. Central to our genre are important messages about the importance of communication, trust and loyalty. We read that mistakes are made and that forgiveness and compromise are vital ingredients to a successful relationship. I believe application of these lessons to our own relationships will make them healthier.Image from Freepik.com
2. They provide comfort and inspire hope.
Yes, romance novels provide a form of escapism from mundane and stressful tasks of daily life. Yay! Reading is a little bit of "just-for-me-time". Romances allow us to mentally unwind - to de-stress - and to emerge from the story with renewed freshness and energy. Subconsciously, seeing characters achieve their goals despite adversity may also give us confidence that we can conquer challenges we face in real-life.
3. There can be positive effects on love life.
Readers say that a steamy love scene can inspire intimacy, make them feel more confident in their sexual self-expression and lead to their relationships being spiced up in the bedroom.
Image Courtesy of Pixabay.com
4. Positive Physiological Effects
Reading, in general, has been shown to enhance brain function. Romance reading has the added benefit of emotional stimulation.
Neurological chemical processes occur when we are with loved ones. These cause the release of oxytocins and dopamine (good for the heart and for lowering blood pressure). The feelings of pleasure we have when reading a romance can also be linked to increases in these chemical levels. Nikki Logan discusses this in her book, The Chemistry of Reading - Arousing Your Reader.
5. Romance novels have helped empower women.
This statement is a topic all in itself and as I'm now at my word limit, I'll be exploring this topic in my blogspot here on October 8th. Stay tuned...
What other points would you add to the list in support of romance novels being good for us?
Love to Love romance stories that have ideals and provide escapism.
Love to Laugh about the misconceptions people have about those of us who read romance. (Fabio fantasies indeed!!)
Love to Learn that romance novels are physiologically good for my health!
