You might have seen videos on social media of women teasing their partners for “not being interested” in their shows just for them to end up on the couch, immersed in the plot. These shows are usually filled with romance and drama, yet often face the brunt of criticism, specifically from men. Men should watch these shows with their girlfriend, as it’s a great bonding experience while sharing an interest in a possible guilty pleasure.
A soap opera is a “drama series characterized by interpersonal situations and melodramatic or sentimental treatment.” These shows can also be chick flicks or rom-coms that are typically seen as feminine. Men stereotypically hate these, as they can highlight internalized sexism where men can feel like expressing emotions and romance is a weakness. In other words, social norms are the reason for men hating rom-coms.
Men might not enjoy rom-coms as much as many of them come from a shift in media when female protagonists became stronger and wittier.
The boom of rom-coms in the 2000s was due to third-wave feminism, with girl power entering mainstream and allowing women to be witty, punk or girly, creating that classic Y2K look.
Women were able to be the heroines, choosing to be successful or finding love or both. Movies like “John Tucker Must Die” brought power to women and destroyed the ego of a womanizer. They didn’t need the man, but got him or ignored him.
With female-led shows and movies, people tuned in, but like all trends, it died. Now people are worrying about the death of the rom-com. Audiences, especially women, became nostalgic for this era of rom-coms.
Women are in the living room watching these movies and shows for nostalgia or for dreaming of love. Men are criticizing it, but peeking over their girlfriend’s shoulders, so they should sit down and watch.
Bridgerton is one of many romance shows that people indulge in, with already over 300 million hours watched for the newest season. The Netflix series follows the love lives of eight siblings. Set in a fantasy world of Regency-era England, each season is a new couple, and each one is filled with drama, lust and beautiful dresses.
Speaking of Bridgerton, I am currently watching it with my boyfriend. I was surprised when he became invested almost immediately.
Like all shows you watch with your partner, you bond over the story with favorite characters or by sharing theories. Adding personal interpretations can create a deeper conversation. Shows about love and relationships can spark much-needed expression on your outlooks of life that might have been overlooked.
Watching a TV show with a partner can become a routine. Coming home and bonding over a show is perfect to merge some thoughts and feelings that might not have revealed themselves otherwise. A show can activate certain untapped emotions.
“We still know we just saw the same thing,” Ben Hoogland, a licensed marriage therapist, told CBS. “And to then talk about it or share that with your partner is on some level a form of emotional intimacy.”
Women love emotional maturity in men. Understanding the importance of connection can be a signal for that. If your partner doesn’t want to watch your favorite cheesy show, it’s up to you if you stand for that.
After all, men who hate rom-coms are not thought to be good partners because it shows a lack of emotional maturity, and having no interest in fictional romance sounds like having a boring romantic relationship.
Connecting with your partner is important, and bonding over a soap opera, rom-com or chick flick might be the best way to engage in topics of everyday love and relationships. It might inspire a date night, or watching it might be the date itself. It might even spice up your relationship with romantic ideas. Oh well, the soap opera I’m watching is revealing a lot about my partner.
Cassidy McClurg is a freshman student studying journalism at Ohio University. Please note the opinions expressed in this column do not represent those of The Post. Want to talk to Cassidy about their column? Email her at cm303824@ohio.edu
