The Fifty Shades Trilogy has become a huge phenomenon. I know many college women and maybe some curious guys are reading it. What makes this trilogy so popular? It seems to tap into those fantasies that a lot of people have about finding someone you are completely consumed with and can’t get enough of. I have heard that this book started from another phenomenon called “Fan Fiction”. I haven’t read or wrote any fan fiction, but a couple students told me that it started with the “Twilight” series. The writer’s of fan fiction use Bella and Edward as inspiration for characters and make up their own story about them. Usually it is very sexual in nature. “Fifty Shades of Grey” started out as a fan fiction novel on the internet. It was so hugely popular that it became a book. The author, E.L. James, changed the names of the characters from Bella and Edward to Anastasia Steele and Christian Grey.
First off, I’ll just come right out and say I’m one of the few women left on the planet that has not read the Fifty Shades Trilogy. I think most people picked up the book because of curiosity and as they started to read it they became hooked. I have read the Twilight series and I was hooked immediately by the first book. I love the story of Edward and Bella. Edward is so drawn to her that he denies his own instincts to be around her. What woman wouldn’t be drawn to that?
That is the same kind of draw to the Fifty Shades series. My guess is that it isn’t just the S&M and blatant pornographic scenes in the book that have hooked so many people into reading it. I’ve heard that women are drawn to the main character, Christian. He calls all the shots and doesn’t get emotionally involved. Then Anastasia comes along. He is intrigued by her and he realizes even though he is the dominant in the relationship, he isn’t completely in control anymore. Him being so consumed by his need for her is what drives people to be hooked into the story.
When some people think of S&M, they only think of one person punishing or hurting the other one to becomes sexually aroused. If this was true, then it wouldn’t be such a huge fantasy for so many people. The reality is that S&M is all about choice. It may look like one person is forcing his will, but ultimately the submissive is choosing that role. He or she wants to be in that position. It is an interesting dynamic. One person really looks like they are in control, but if you look closer, you’ll see that it is an illusion. A person can gain power in two ways. They can take it by sheer force or they can be offered it by someone who freely gives it to them. In the book Anastasia gets to Christian, but she freely gives him power over her. Their feelings are mutual.
When it comes to sexual fantasies, many people can feel very ashamed. There are a lot of mixed messages about sex in our culture and many people can become confused about their sexual feelings. I don’t suggest that people open up to just anyone about those very private thoughts. However, in a trusting relationship, it can draw two people closer together if they share their fantasies. You can let your partner know if you aren’t comfortable with something they bring up without shaming them. You also don’t have to try something just because your partner has had a sexual fantasy about it. Not all fantasies are meant to be acted out in real life. That doesn’t mean you can’t still use them to enhance your sex life with your partner.
The key is being open, honest and affirming. Listening to your partner openly and being able to affirm that they have a right to feel or think the way they do, even if you don’t agree. You both need to be okay with each other saying no and not feeling rejected as a person. When acting out any sexual fantasy, both people involved have to be okay with the situation. If one person feels coerced or forced, it will cause a lot of resentment to build. It is okay to try something because you want to make your partner happy, even though it may make you feel a little uncomfortable. Just know you can say no if you find out you don’t like it after you’ve tried it. If your partner isn’t open to you saying no, then you have bigger problems than sexual compatibility in the relationship.
When reading the Fifty Shades trilogy, remember that you are reading fiction and that life doesn’t always work out the way it does in books. Fantasies are great, but remember that reality doesn’t always live up to fantasies for a reason. Not everyone is compatible. It isn’t easy to find someone who wants you as much as you want them and then on top of
that be completely sexually compatible. The reality is that in real life people usually have to let something go or compromise to be in a successful relationship. Just remember there isn’t something wrong with you if you like something and your partner doesn’t. Be confident about yourself and how you feel. If living out a particular fantasy is really important to you, you may need to be in a relationship with someone who feels the same way. If your relationship is more important, than let go of living out that sexual fantasy and continue to use it in other ways to enhance your sex life.
Also, please remember that sex won’t be fulfilling if it isn’t mutual. In the trilogy I’m pretty sure Christian isn’t forcing something that Anastasia is truly against. Make sure you are confident enough to stand up for yourself and that your partner respects you enough to listen before you engage in any sexual activity. To be safe, make sure you trust the person and know that you can say no at any time. Not everyone out there should be trusted obviously. It is no small thing to open up about your sexual fantasies, and you should be careful when choosing who to be vulnerable with. Lastly, remember to use protection. People do get STD’s in real life!
College Life- Sex and Relationships 