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On Fandom Relationships
Jan. 12th, 2004 03:41 pmAndraste had a rather large post about the nature of slashing characters that are traditionally considered straight (even when there is no explicit canon to justify it) that got me thinking about something. I've noticed in fandom generally that there is a rather immature view of relationships.
Let me change that. No immature but rather underdeveloped view. In a group where bisexuality, polygamy and all ranges of fetishes, lifestyles and beliefs are touted as the new culture, we see a mostly adolescent view of interpersonal dynamics.
To clarify, skipping through all sorts of fandoms, you see a vast (one might say overwhelming) flood of pairings; slash, het, canonological, alternative. But rarely do we ever see representations of relationships with any depth outside of the traditional romantic or sexual models. A character and B character want to sleep with each other because they looked a little too long at each other, or they invaded their personal space, or they displayed an aspect of physical intimacy. All sorts of 'clues' to draw them into a romantic or sexual circumstance because obvious that is what they are doing, right?
Very very rarely do you see an exploration of deep relationships without those (I'm sure all of the wannabe subverters of the hetro-fascist sterility conspiracy will hate this) highly traditional and endless clichéd norms. It reminds me of being a boy, and hearing that because Tom and Mandy walked home together on Friday, they must be in love and want to get married. That's an overly simplistic view of the actual situation, but it does carry to correct gut emotive response.
There are few stories exploring the deep relationships and emotional bonds of friendship. There are very few that explore those bonds forged in extreme adversity, such as war, disasters, and constant challenge. The highly complex dynamics of non-sexual friendships between the opposite sex. All of them extremely fascinating and crucial in many of the greatest stories told, often ignored for a more simplistic answer.
I remember having a conversation with Rossi on the slashing of 'best friend' characters, like Iceman and Beast, and she bought up an interesting point that why she reacted so negatively to such portrayals is because "they fail to allow the (Aussie) 'Mate' relationship to be valid". The idea that there is always a sexual quotient in any relationship is an extremely common one in most fandoms. Even relationships with a great degree of physical intimacy, say for example, the classic 'officer and his batman'. Extremely close relations, often forged in blood and violence, and holding all of the elements to allow for a sexual relationship, yet without the slightest inclination for it.
The doctor/patient relationship is also similar. A doctor is able to access all of the most intimate and vulnerable aspects of a patient's body and psyche during the rehabilitative stage, and yet the taboo between crossing those boundaries is one of the strongest in any professional practice. In fact, transference due to the 'Florence Nightingale' syndrome is a common enough issue to be covered by nurses and doctors during their schooling.
The mentor/student relationship, one of the most commonly abused relationships in fandom. To many people, it seems a natural extension of the admiration and trust required in such a relationship to develop on a sexual level. Buffy/Giles, Obi Won/Qui Gon, Batman/Robin, Wolverine/Jubilee, Kitty, and Rogue; all of which are hugely popular pairings despite the fact that sexual relationships of such types in reality are very rare without them showing elements of manipulation, abuse of trust and guilt.
I wonder if there is a specific reason why the deep emotional bonds that do not translate into a sexual desire or a traditional romantic relationship are so often ignored or 'reinvented' to fit into the more traditional modes. Is it simply a lack of interest or is it a lack of understanding? Has the process of 'fandom' itself reinforced the idea that all relationships can (or should) be boiled down to a sexual level, be it hetro, bi or homosexual?
Opinions?
Let me change that. No immature but rather underdeveloped view. In a group where bisexuality, polygamy and all ranges of fetishes, lifestyles and beliefs are touted as the new culture, we see a mostly adolescent view of interpersonal dynamics.
To clarify, skipping through all sorts of fandoms, you see a vast (one might say overwhelming) flood of pairings; slash, het, canonological, alternative. But rarely do we ever see representations of relationships with any depth outside of the traditional romantic or sexual models. A character and B character want to sleep with each other because they looked a little too long at each other, or they invaded their personal space, or they displayed an aspect of physical intimacy. All sorts of 'clues' to draw them into a romantic or sexual circumstance because obvious that is what they are doing, right?
Very very rarely do you see an exploration of deep relationships without those (I'm sure all of the wannabe subverters of the hetro-fascist sterility conspiracy will hate this) highly traditional and endless clichéd norms. It reminds me of being a boy, and hearing that because Tom and Mandy walked home together on Friday, they must be in love and want to get married. That's an overly simplistic view of the actual situation, but it does carry to correct gut emotive response.
There are few stories exploring the deep relationships and emotional bonds of friendship. There are very few that explore those bonds forged in extreme adversity, such as war, disasters, and constant challenge. The highly complex dynamics of non-sexual friendships between the opposite sex. All of them extremely fascinating and crucial in many of the greatest stories told, often ignored for a more simplistic answer.
I remember having a conversation with Rossi on the slashing of 'best friend' characters, like Iceman and Beast, and she bought up an interesting point that why she reacted so negatively to such portrayals is because "they fail to allow the (Aussie) 'Mate' relationship to be valid". The idea that there is always a sexual quotient in any relationship is an extremely common one in most fandoms. Even relationships with a great degree of physical intimacy, say for example, the classic 'officer and his batman'. Extremely close relations, often forged in blood and violence, and holding all of the elements to allow for a sexual relationship, yet without the slightest inclination for it.
The doctor/patient relationship is also similar. A doctor is able to access all of the most intimate and vulnerable aspects of a patient's body and psyche during the rehabilitative stage, and yet the taboo between crossing those boundaries is one of the strongest in any professional practice. In fact, transference due to the 'Florence Nightingale' syndrome is a common enough issue to be covered by nurses and doctors during their schooling.
The mentor/student relationship, one of the most commonly abused relationships in fandom. To many people, it seems a natural extension of the admiration and trust required in such a relationship to develop on a sexual level. Buffy/Giles, Obi Won/Qui Gon, Batman/Robin, Wolverine/Jubilee, Kitty, and Rogue; all of which are hugely popular pairings despite the fact that sexual relationships of such types in reality are very rare without them showing elements of manipulation, abuse of trust and guilt.
I wonder if there is a specific reason why the deep emotional bonds that do not translate into a sexual desire or a traditional romantic relationship are so often ignored or 'reinvented' to fit into the more traditional modes. Is it simply a lack of interest or is it a lack of understanding? Has the process of 'fandom' itself reinforced the idea that all relationships can (or should) be boiled down to a sexual level, be it hetro, bi or homosexual?
Opinions?
