ROMANCE NOVELS AND THEIR POSITIVE NEXUS WITH FOSTERING SUSTAINABLE MARITAL RELATIONSHIPS

Abstract

Marriage serves as the significant social structure that has a vital role in individual and societal life.  Despite this, the institution of marriage appears to be experiencing a decline in its stability and continuity within contemporary society. Although, numerous studies have examined marriage from multiple perspectives, the present study specifically focuses on the sustainability of marriage in connection with reading romance novels. For this purpose, this article proposes the potential relationship between romance novels and marital sustainability, with particular attention to how literary representations of romance accompanied with inculcating romance novels may shape perceptions and expectations of marriage.

The former part of the discussion sheds light on the latest marriage expectancy worldwide along with possible underlying factors that drive divorce rates. Furthermore, the rationale of this very study is to suggest fostering sustainability of marriage while taking into consideration the significant correlation between romance novels and marital relationships.

Moreover, this study employs a qualitative research methodology, primarily using narrative and thematic analysis of romance novels to examine representations of romantic relationships, commitment, and marriage. It further considers how such literary representations may contribute to discourses surrounding marriage and marital sustainability in the social context. Furthermore, it discusses how the narratives can be positively attributed to understand the institution of marriage in the real world. Henceforth, it would be a significant contribution to secure sustainable marriage.