Ordinary Unhappiness cover image

Ordinary Unhappiness

73: Romance Was Never Real: From Courtly Love to the Rise of the Fuckboy feat. Sabrina Strings

Oct 12, 2024
Sabrina Strings, a UC Santa Barbara professor and author of "The End of Love," joins the discussion to explore the complex intertwining of race, gender, and romance. She critiques how historical notions of love, from courtly ideals to modern realities, perpetuate societal inequalities. The conversation delves into the harmful archetype of the 'fuckboy' and its roots in media portrayals, challenging listeners to rethink romantic norms. Strings emphasizes the need for an evolved understanding of love that defies traditional constraints and embraces inclusivity.
01:29:36

Episode guests

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • Romanticism is critiqued as a cultural construct that perpetuates male dominance, obscuring women's realities and hindering their empowerment.
  • Media representations play a crucial role in shaping societal expectations of relationships, often commodifying women and limiting their roles in romance.

Deep dives

Romanticism as a Tool of Male Power

Romanticism is viewed as a cultural construct that serves to perpetuate male dominance by obscuring women's realities. As articulated by Shulamith Firestone, the notion of romance can keep women unaware of their societal conditions. This perspective emphasizes that romantic ideals can be detrimental, as they might encourage women to pursue romantic relationships without understanding the power dynamics involved. Recognizing romanticism as a tool for male power allows for a deeper discussion on how women can reclaim their narratives away from traditional romantic constructs.

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