This is just my personal opinion that I'd like to add, any form of media that is consume constantly, while it may not change your belief, they leave an impression on you, no matter how small or insignificant it is. And if you continue to consumed or fed said media, eventually, you got influenced, normalized, or desensitized. This is why propaganda and marketing works wonder. So yeah, what you read can actually affect you in someways that maybe even ourselves do not realized.
I think calling out problematic behaviour depicted even in fiction media is necessary for those who are unable to separate fiction from reality, and to not be normalized by it. So yeah, please do keep pointing out any problematic depiction from the story you read in the comments, make it a discussion, to serve as a constant reminder to every reader, so it won't be normalized, or worse, glorified.
I second this! I hope the people who read and defend rape fetish yaoi and shotacon with arguments like “it’s just fiction, not reality,” and then go as far as mocking the victims and telling others to kill themselves for criticizing it, understand this basic truth: fiction has always influenced reality. Stories shape our thoughts, normalize behaviors, and impact our perception of what’s acceptable,especially when consumed regularly and without reflection. Dismissing the impact of media, especially one that glamorizes sexual violence or pedophilia, is not only irresponsible but harmful.This site is full of those problematic content that's accessible to minors, even though they shouldn’t be here in the first place. Since we can’t completely prevent that access, it’s essential that these kinds of stories are openly criticized. I always tell minors to stay away from content that glamorizes rape or pedophilia, because their brains are still developing. Repeated exposure to these narratives can lead to believing damaging myths like “victims enjoy abuse” or “falling in love with your abuser is romantic.” and desensitises serious topic like rape or pedophilia.and that’s not just fiction,it’s distortion of real world harm.
I’ve seen how some readers become so desensitized to rape that they harass anyone who criticize it. They harass people,and when can't prove their point they resort to lying, twist words, and even go as far as mocking survivors who are simply venting or expressing their views about how it's wrong. When criticism of fictional content feels like a personal attack, that’s a sign something has gone deeply wrong. Defending these works with aggression doesn’t make the content less harmful,it only shows how normalized it has become.Criticism is not censorship.It’s necessary to protect vulnerable readers and push back against media that romanticizes abuse.i know some victims read these stories that glamorize rape to cope with their trauma but they deserve better spaces to heal,ones that don’t exploit their trauma as fetish content. These conversations should happen often, because silence only protects harmful narratives. If ppl care about real issues like rape or pedophilia they need to stop pretending that “it’s just fiction” is a good enough excuse to enjoy something that romanticize it.To be clear, I’m not against fiction that explores dark or uncomfortable topics, as long as it does so with care, nuance, and an understanding of the weight those subjects carry. Stories can portray rape or abuse without glorifying or romanticizing it. The problem lies with content that turns trauma into fantasy, fetish, or entertainment without regard for how it affects readers,especially minors and victims.
I want to add one more thing: just because a story is labeled "fiction" doesn’t mean it exists in a vacuum. If fiction can inspire love, empathy, or courage, then it can absolutely also reinforce harmful stereotypes and normalize toxic behaviors. When people say, “it’s just a story,” they often ignore the social and psychological impact of repeated themes. If a narrative constantly blurs the line between consent and coercion or paints abusive dynamics as romantic, it’s not harmless. The more these tropes get consumed uncritically, the more they embed themselves into how people especially minors understand relationships, sex, and power. So yes, these discussions must be had relentlessly, with nuance, research, and empathy, until creators and platforms take responsibility, and until people stop confusing valid critique with an attack on their personal identity. But I know this is literally useless,and i am saying this from my personal experience, talking to them is like talking to a brick wall
Totally agree with your comment. Publishers push this type of media on readers much more blatantly now, earlier this type of content was mostly engaged with in underground spaces and wasn't as accessible as it is now. Porn has been existing since ancient times, but the right type of mindset is needed to engage with this type of media, and on an appropriate platform. This type of media sells because it titillates the senses and engages with people's hidden desires and urges that they cannot share in public spaces or without anonymity and that's understandable, but that's exactly why it needs the right type of platform to be exhibited on. People need to be kept accountable because these are very complex themes and concepts, and age inappropriate for minors that roam these sites. I am talking about media that actually delves into these themes mindfully and responsibly, not the consumerist trash that is paraded around in the name of individual expression.
Absolutely. I have been given this kind of response myself - dude it's just a story.
when I reject that understanding, they tell me to get off the comment section if I only have 'negative' things to say. lol. Like the audacity and the entitlement on them as if they are the rulers of the comment section and anyone who doesn't conform to their low standards needs to step out. Lol. I never back down however, I keep it civilized but I do tell them off in no uncertain terms. Their grand attempts at intimidation are so ridiculous and they are so unaware of it, it's kinda cute.
Thankfully, I have had some successful discussions where the other person apologized for their insensitive or misinformed remarks. It's rare but it does happen.
I used to somewhat get the argument but after realizing how I'm always angry at shitty stories, I see how these dumb fictional stories get me irl. Like why am I personally affected by this dumbass story? It's just fiction.
The most surface level way fiction has affected reality is after you finish reading a feel good story, do you feel good? If you read a depressing story, do you feel sad after finishing? If you read a story full of annoying characters and concept, do you feel mad? Your emotional state can change based on what fictional story you're reading (and watching and that is the POINT of fiction is to affect you irl, otherwise why would anyone ever pick up a romantic, thrilling, action packed, or tragedy story to consume?) and this is just surface level stuff. The bare minimum way you can tangibly see how fiction does impact real life. So all that other crazy stuff like consuming problematic rape can definitely affect the emotional state of the mind the more you read and consume those topics. People who dont realize this are incredibly ignorant and naive.
True. I think this argument - what you read doesn't influence you personally, comes from the fact that the readers that say it don't really process what they read and simply consume for instant gratification. They are the kinda consumers that capitalism wants to inculcate because it's advantageous for them.
No introspection no discernment no realisation no confrontation no accountability no rejection just mindless consumption
exactlyyyyy, I was really shocked when I first knew there were lots of minors in this site, and with the current BL scene where the famous BL manhwa are unfortunately full of SA and violence, I think it's really important to tell the minors, like heyy, even in bl, this ain't normal and okay. If there are no people who point this thing out, these minor or those who are newly exposed to BL are going to think that, these kind of problematic behaviour is acceptable in BL, WHICH IS NOT
true, while I understand that most people who came here just would like to have fun and read the content here. It never hurts to be a little bit more critical while reading these stories once in awhile.
I was, and still am, getting harassed by those rape enjoyers and defenders. One's a minor and the other’s an incel, lmao. One of them said I have Stockholm syndrome for constantly criticizing rape story, and the other told me to stop taking my meds, kill myself, and harm myself to "get rid of the trauma."
And the funniest part? They’re not even a little bit of apologetic about it. All of this just because I called out their favourite rape story. I’m actually on the verge of dying, ngl
what the hellyyyyy
I'm trying to understand why do they take these comments personally when it's not directed at them, and then proceed to harassed you. This is exactly the point why discussion and self-awareness of what you're consuming would actually be useful.
Liking a story does not mean giving a free pass for the problematic aspect of it. You can still like something while admitting there's a flaw to it. So them practically attacking you when you're pointing out something that are clearly IMMORAL, need to take a step back and do self-reflection.
+1 to everything you said thanks for putting this here
I wanted to put this in the comment section asking for the worst takes but I wanted this to have more visibility so here it is. This user said that what you read doesn't affect what you believe. Sorry Descartes, Jyotibarao Phule, B.R. Ambedkar, Virginia Woolf, Immanuel Kant, Shakespeare, Mary Shelley, Anne Frank and others who literally revolutionized and changed the entire world with their writings.
They also said this, I am just gonna copy paste it here - "Something I'd add is that the argument that "what you read influences what you believe" is as obsolete as saying "videogames cause violence", like it might be true for unsupervised children but they shouldn't have access to that kinda content in the first place, and if they do you got the neglectful parents to blame, not the content itself for existing".
There are literally peer reviewed studies on how violent video games can increase in aggression in teens and make them more desensitized to irl violence. Just google it. While I agree that parental figures need to keep track of what their teens are being exposed to, if you put the entire onus on them to protect their children from forces much much bigger than them, you are simply falling for the deception capitalism has customised for you, giving you the illusion of choice. "Violent video games are designed to be engaging by leveraging psychological principles that tap into basic human motivations and reward systems." Do you even know what kind of money and resources they throw at researchers and psychologists who go deep into human psychology to tap into the forces that makes video games more engaging? Do you have any idea how many focus groups and surveys are conducted to find the nerve by pressing on which, they can make something that holds your attention so thoroughly, so much so that players die on their seats playing these games for hours on end? Like dude, just say you like fetish and rape porn, and you don't wanna be held accountable for it, you don't want to be made to feel guilty about it because you know what you like and read is problematic, don't beat around the bush, like this is such a transparently weak argument lol. No one's buying it. At least no one who has even the slightest idea about how the world works.
And this doesn't just apply to video game companies but all sorts of corporate structures, all the big advertising agencies and marketing agencies bleed money on research and surveys before they even think about launching a product.
To shift the entire blame on parents and not these companies that take advantage of your insecurities and weak points and real life problems is just so naive
Capitalists create a deficit and then supply the product and make money and people fall for for it too, because consumerism equals instant gratification and dopamine.
The argument that it's solely on parents to keep a check on their kids and not the game companies is the same as the government telling you to religiously recycle to save the planet but letting the corporates pollute entire oceans, create landfills as big as your hometown and employ child slaves to go through your toxic waste. And You. Fall. For. It. And then you don't listen to any counterpoints because again, you don't want to be made to feel guilty about your links and fetishes.
Dont even think that your precious pornhwas are devoid of the effects of capitalism. It's everywhere and only a naive fool would think otherwise. Every trend you follow online, every hashtag created by these people, every word they say is designed to manipulate and deceive you, and it's subliminal and insidious, you are getting affected by it without even realizing how.
The reason why discussions on problematic content is brought up again and again on these sites is because it bothers people, the same people for whom these products are made and targeted at. The same people who are deeply offended by this fetishization and commodification of rape (because that's what it is) because it is counterintuitive and goes against their self preservative instincts as women in a patriarchal world.
I SAY MORE AND MORE READERS SHOULD HAVE THIS DISCUSSION AND HAVE IT EVERY SINGLE FUCKING DAY IF NEED BE. NO ONE HAS THE RIGHT TO TELL YOU YOU CANT. FUCK. THAT. NOISE. BRING MORE NUANCED PERSPECTIVES AND RESEARCH ORIENTED MATERIAL. SATURATE THE FORUMS.
Just do it in a civilized manner and don't tell people to off themselves, no matter what opinion you hold. You aren't chimps in a cage. The capitalists would disagree but for the sake of the argument, let's say that.