If you think your romance-novel-a-week habit is no biggie compared to your man’s porn collection, think again, says a Salt Lake City news site. Experts quoted in the story say that the endorphins released when men watch unrealistically sexy ladies in porn are also triggered when women read about unrealistically sexy heroes in books — and no one can live up to the fantasies in either.
“For many women, these novels really do promote dissatisfaction with their real relationships,” [author Juli] Slattery wrote.
Women may find their standard for intimacy begins to change over time because [they] may not be able to get as satisfied with their partners as they can reading a book.
It’s always a good reminder that no real, live person can measure up to a fantasy version (male or female), but if we’re going to start vilifying romance novels for promoting unrealistic fantasies, then we should also ban romantic comedies, Entourage, Sex and the City, beer ads with hot chicks in them, and pictures of Bradley Cooper.
As usual, the poison is in the dose: If fantasies are taking over your life, it’s time to get help. Until then, enjoy your romance novels, ladies, and if you need a bit of hot historical fantasy, have your man don a pirate outfit and pretend you’re the booty.
[Nerve]
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