Thoughts on Sexuality in Romance Literature

I am aware that some people really like romance novels but are very reluctant to deal with overt sexual content. I just thought to post some thoughts.

First, the world has changed and the world of publishing fiction has also changed drastically in the past 20 years. There was a time not too long ago that strong sexual content would have been considered pornographic. Not so these days. I think there are some boundaries that authors are willing to observe.

One of those boundaries is what I refer to as "gratuitous" sex -- sex for its own sake and put in the story in order to sell books. It's done and unfortunately it is done often by authors who don't necessarily write very good stories or take the time and effort to develop their characters. Now I have to admit there are a few books I have read where it seems that the sex is oozing out the spine of the book. But on closer examination, it is a part of the story in a very legitimate way. Still, there are times that these are just a little overwhelming ( you know -- wiping the sweat off your brow --).

For the most part, I have found that the sexual encounters in most of these romance novels that I have been reading recently are very beautifully crafted and are a seamless part of the story. Adult romantic relationships usually involve sexuality on some level. But as in real life, it is the relationship that is the authentic framework of human encounter and not just sex for the sake of sex alone. Obviously every sexual encounter has the possibility of being beautiful, fulfilling, and a valued part of what binds people together romantically, but it can also be purilent, hurtful, or destructive. It is up to the author to be faithful in making a sick relationship obvious as well as writing the sexual scene in a way that is healthy and beautiful.

I happen to believe that sex is a part of being normal, healthy, and loving. However, like all relational possibilities, it can be turned ugly and destructive. We all know, too, that . . . "beauty is in the eye of the beholder."

Just rambling . . .