Romanticization of Sexual Violence and Sexual Education among Adolescents: A Critical Analysis of Contemporary Cultural Narratives
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.12775/SPI.2026.1.006Keywords
romanticization of sexual violence, sexualization, sexual education, cultural narratives, adolescentsAbstract
The article undertakes a critical analysis of contemporary cultural narratives that romanticize and sexualize sexual violence, with particular attention to fan creations oriented toward adolescents. In the context of the growing influence of social media and young adult literature, the study shows mechanisms that simplify and idealize the portrayal of perpetrators of violence, which can lead to their implicit legitimization and the reinforcement of harmful models. An analysis of fanfiction found on the platform Archive of Our Own regarding Richard Ramirez illustrates how these narratives connect sexualization, romanticization, and the marginalization of consent, creating problematic interpretive models for young audiences. The article underscores the need to consider such cases in sexual education as a starting point for reflection and critical discussion of sexual violence and the mechanisms of its social representation.
This study examines fanfiction published on the Archive of Our Own (AO3) platform, focusing on how authors depict violence, romanticize it, and present apparent consent. Using an interpretive paradigm and qualitative content analysis, we analyzed popular works centered on serial killer Richard Ramirez. The findings suggest that, despite the presence of motifs of sexual violence, young adult literature and fanfiction can serve as valuable educational tools for discussing consent, boundaries, and relationships, highlighting the importance of fostering critical awareness rather than censorship.
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