#this post is strictly limited to romance as a projection of women’s fantasies out into the world to be consumed for pure self-indulgence

[daisyachain]

This is generalization but it does make me feel like I’m losing my mind. Anglo-American romance novels aimed at women—‘what if you, a normal person, were forced into proximity with the smuggest most self-satisfied person who physically invades your space, insults you, acts like an attention whore at best, borderline sexually assaults you, isn’t that great’ and then you go to romance manga aimed at young women—‘what if you, a normal person, we’re forced into proximity with a two faced bitch who tries to control your every move and also refuses to speak or engage with you unless it’s to isolate you from your peers or get mad at you for talking to another living person’

#obviously there are variants but it drives me insane how even stuff aimed at women is like. isn’t it nice when men treat women horribly. #wouldn’t you love to be treated horribly except the horrible guy in question is hot #literally the extent of straight women’s fantasies is that they get some enjoyment out of looking at men who hate them #aim higher! aim anywhere other than the floor! read yuri for crying out loud #can we not get women to fantasize about getting along with someone and having a good time with them. #save me LoveCom you’re my only hope #kelsey rambles #romcom discourse was dead five years ago but the point remains that if the male lead of your average love interest existed in real life #he should not be allowed within 10 ft of any woman but his grandmother #this isn’t talking about the way romance is used in fiction or the way relationship arcs work or anything #this post is strictly limited to romance as a projection of women’s fantasies out into the world to be consumed for pure self-indulgence #if you’re having a cheat day you shouldn’t be eating stale chips ahoy. #if you’re indulging why not have a crème brûlée! have the world’s densest chocolate cake! #have an almond slice with cream and strawberries. self-indulgence ought to feel good. #I have a sister who likes men so I am assured that the despicable shoujo love interests of the world are attractive in some arcane way #I just can’t fathom it. if a man even half hinted at me that treatment like that was on the table I’d move cities.