Were you aware there is a sub-genre of romance novels focusing specifically on pregnant women? I wasn’t.
I like the titles–Innocent Wife, Baby of Shame…so scandalous! Here’s a link to the image.
I am not, at this very moment, entirely certain of how you could use these in a sociology course–I guess in a discussion of how we think of pregnant women’s bodies (are they beautiful or not?), how we feel about pregnant women have sex or of men being attracted to pregnant women who aren’t their wives (I bet a good number of people would find it kind of creepy), or whether we still think there is such a thing as a “baby of shame.” It’s interesting that the women are pregnant but still very skinny everywhere but in their “baby bump,” as the tabloids call it these days. This might be a starting point for a discussion of changing ideas of pregnancy–that the amount of weight you’re “supposed” to gain has decreased, that pregnant women ideally say thin everywhere else, and that they’re supposed to lose the weight immediately. Or you could contrast pregnancy with just being “fat”–can you imagine a similar sub-genre of romance novels with large, non-pregnant (or even pregnant) women?
Whether or not they’re useful, I know that they’re funny. Secret Baby, Convenient Wife? Awesome!
Thanks to Jason for sending it along!
Comments 4
Elizabeth — May 11, 2008
The Spaniard's Defiant Virgin has one of the best lines I've ever found.
Forced her? That was the last straw. “Call it what you like,” he ground out. “I’m a selfish bastard who seduced you against your will. I took your virginity. I took my pleasure. And I intend to do it as often as I please.”
Julia — November 25, 2010
Think about the intended audience here. These are aimed at women who want to feel that pregnant women can still have sex lives and be sexually desired. That idea is virtually absent in our culture. I think that's the most interesting part of this phenomenon.
Cathy Payne — February 25, 2021
I want to try to imagine a harsh and tough world in which women fight for basic human rights, the economic situation is shaky, and technological advances are the subject of conversation. You can learn more in detail from the article https://ponbee.com/the-story-of-an-hour-quotes/ in which the topic The Story of an Hour is just discussed. Marriage in those days was a means of social control. It helped to keep women in check and helped to consolidate the social and political power of men.
Happy Tom — November 21, 2021
Societal norms seem to still be evolving in this field. I can say beyond a shadow of a doubt that it is getting easier and easier to date pregnant women and teens. The emotional and social rollercoaster so many single expecting women find themselves on precludes many from pursuing a relationship of any sort, serious or casual during this time, and issues about body image are difficult for many to overcome. Furthermore, most women experience an overall loss of.libido as things preoguress. Still, a not insignificant minority experience quite the opposite- anything from a mild to dramatic desire for company and intimacy. This, combined with psychosocial pressures and increasingly tolerant societal norms provide a fertile area for fiction and open minded men to explore. The last five women I have dated, ranging in age from 16 to 32 were all pregnant at the time we met. I must admit it’s been the most sexually satisfying period of my life. I am told the resulting cranial indentations are neither rehabilitating nor permanent, which is fortunate, because I would not be deterred in the slightest if they were.