The romanticization of abstinence: Fan response to sexual restraint in the Twilight series

Jennifer Stevens Aubrey; Elizabeth Behm-Morawitz; Melissa A. Click

doi:10.3983/twc.2010.0216

Jennifer Stevens Aubrey University of Missouri
Elizabeth Behm-Morawitz University of Missouri
Melissa A. Click University of Missouri

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3983/twc.2010.0216

Keywords: abstinence, Twilight, teen girls, fan community

Abstract

Meyer's Twilight series has been criticized for its regressive gender representations. To understand its continuing appeal, we problematize the messages of abstinence and romance in the series, and contextualize fans' response with a discussion of postfeminist culture.