Mass market Romance - Ann Barr Snitow, pg 424-433

Recap: Harlequin books are written directly to women. The ideas presented in this chapter are that these books are pornographic in nature. Women need more of the romantic feelings versus the males point of view that they are more physical in nature. Researchers are labeling Harlequins as pornographic. Are they more sexually charged than looking at erotica versus the level of pornography? That is the question how and what women get out of reading Harlequin books. There appears to be a more emotional release for women where as a male uses the erotic or pornography for the same type of release.

Comment: Whether they are pornographic on not is a tough call. Each person labels what hey think is pornographic and what is not. Some would say that the sculptures from Michelangelo are pornographic. Others will disagree. We have even seen the U.S. Attorney General John Ashcroft cover the statue “Spirit of Justice” with blue curtains to hide an exposed breast. Pornography is what each person takes it to be. Yes, there is a point at which it becomes more than just sex and nude bodies. For example the exploitation of children, it then becomes more than just simple erotica. For females, the Harlequin books are a form of pornography directed towards females. Males will for the most part never really understand them as will most females will never really understand what it is for males.