I agree here that some sort of basic definition of "normal" would be useful. I'm perfectly normal in terms of non-psychotic, functions successfully in the real world sort of way, but perhaps not entirely normal in the arena of sexuality and gender self-perception. (And this gets into why I think I like slash.)
I've never been in a relationship and I've never had sex. And I rather prefer it that way. Honestly, I can't stand being touched at all, and the very idea of me, personally, having sex is bizarre. But the idea of other people having sex is perfectly acceptable. So part of the appeal is probably plain old voyeurism. But why, then, slash and not steamy het?
I've never liked heterosexual romance in books. For a very long time, I assumed that this meant that I just didn't like romance. Period. Then I discovered slash, which held a great deal more appeal for me. I don't relate to women, and never have. So in a het relationship, one of the characters always feels foreign to me. I can't sympathize with her, I can't relate to her, so I can't like her as a character. And I'm always left wondering what on earth he saw in her and a little disappointed. In slash, I relate equally well to both characters, so I feel like I understand both sides of the relationship. Thus, I can be sympathetic to both characters and get a good deal more enjoyment out of watching the relationship unfold.
I feel like I should add two more details of note. One, is that this does not carry over into real life. (i.e. I have as many friends who are girls as I do who are guys. I don't hate or disparage women. I'm not some crazy misogynist. I just don't quite understand them.) However, the people who know me best have remarked to me that they "often forget I'm a girl" or something along those lines. I like people who can see me as "not a girl" (which does not therefore automatically assume that I should be a man. The dichotomous idea of gender is seriously flawed, but that's a rant for another day.) Secondly, I enjoy gen as much (or sometimes more) than slash. When I read, I read for plot. (I have little interest in PWPs.) If there is a romantic relationship, I like it to be slash, but I'm equally happy if there's no romantic relationship at all.
Oo. That got longish. Anyway, good luck on your thesis.
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Date: 2003-11-25 12:54 pm (UTC)I've never been in a relationship and I've never had sex. And I rather prefer it that way. Honestly, I can't stand being touched at all, and the very idea of me, personally, having sex is bizarre. But the idea of other people having sex is perfectly acceptable. So part of the appeal is probably plain old voyeurism. But why, then, slash and not steamy het?
I've never liked heterosexual romance in books. For a very long time, I assumed that this meant that I just didn't like romance. Period. Then I discovered slash, which held a great deal more appeal for me. I don't relate to women, and never have. So in a het relationship, one of the characters always feels foreign to me. I can't sympathize with her, I can't relate to her, so I can't like her as a character. And I'm always left wondering what on earth he saw in her and a little disappointed. In slash, I relate equally well to both characters, so I feel like I understand both sides of the relationship. Thus, I can be sympathetic to both characters and get a good deal more enjoyment out of watching the relationship unfold.
I feel like I should add two more details of note. One, is that this does not carry over into real life. (i.e. I have as many friends who are girls as I do who are guys. I don't hate or disparage women. I'm not some crazy misogynist. I just don't quite understand them.) However, the people who know me best have remarked to me that they "often forget I'm a girl" or something along those lines. I like people who can see me as "not a girl" (which does not therefore automatically assume that I should be a man. The dichotomous idea of gender is seriously flawed, but that's a rant for another day.) Secondly, I enjoy gen as much (or sometimes more) than slash. When I read, I read for plot. (I have little interest in PWPs.) If there is a romantic relationship, I like it to be slash, but I'm equally happy if there's no romantic relationship at all.
Oo. That got longish. Anyway, good luck on your thesis.