The impact of romance novels on women's sexual and reproductive health

Author
Publication year
2014
Journal
Journal of Family Planning & Reproductive Health Care
Volume
40
Pages
300–302
Comment

I think this could be called a review paper, summarising the findings of other authors in this area. It concludes:

Romantic literature is an enduringly popular genre, enjoyed by many women. Romance novels can introduce women to potential positive effects in their sex lives. However, whilst ostensibly harmless escapism, romance novels can also perpetuate the myth of effortless and romantic sexual encounters and influence crucial aspects of readers’ sexual health attitudes and behaviours. Ideally, romantic fiction can function to both entertain and educate readers, by combining them with clear and comprehensive continuing public sexual education, via the promotion of realistic expectations and depictions of safer sexual practices.