Publishers play an essential role in shaping societal norms, values, and perceptions through their publications, including books, magazines, newspapers, online articles, blog posts, social media platforms, and more. As such, they are responsible for presenting accurate and realistic sexual narratives that reflect diverse experiences, desires, identities, fantasies, behaviors, and practices. This responsibility is especially crucial because sexuality is a complex subject that encompasses various facets, including physical intimacy, emotional connection, pleasure, power dynamics, consent, vulnerability, and cultural expectations.
Publishers should ensure that their sexual narratives represent a broad spectrum of people, including individuals who identify as cisgender, transgender, nonbinary, queer, straight, bisexual, lesbian, gay, pansexual, polyamorous, asexual, demisexual, kinky, monogamous, polyamorous, and openly communicative. They should also include characters from different age groups, races, ethnicities, nationalities, religions, abilities, socioeconomic backgrounds, and education levels to foster inclusivity and reduce stereotypes. In addition, publishers should feature characters with disabilities, mental health issues, trauma histories, and other marginalized identities to promote empathy and raise awareness about diversity.
Publishers have a duty to depict authentic sexual relationships based on mutual respect, trust, honesty, communication, consent, and pleasure. These stories should portray individuals who prioritize each other's needs, boundaries, wants, preferences, and personal development, rather than focusing solely on performance or gratification. By presenting such realistic narratives, they can help readers develop healthier attitudes toward sex, which may result in better decision-making, reduced risky behavior, improved self-esteem, stronger relationships, greater understanding of others, and fewer STIs/STDs/unplanned pregnancies.
Some publishers may shy away from honest sexual storytelling due to fear of alienating advertisers, sponsors, investors, or public perception. But this approach ultimately undermines their credibility, integrity, impact, and influence as socially responsible institutions. Instead, publishers must strive for truthfulness, transparency, and sincerity in their sexual narratives, even if it means risking negative feedback or criticism. They should also collaborate with experts, researchers, advocates, activists, educators, therapists, coaches, and clinicians to ensure accuracy and nuance.
Publishers have a responsibility to shape cultural norms through their publications, including sexual ones. This obligation extends beyond the physical act itself and encompasses all aspects of intimacy, identity, and interaction. As such, they should prioritize realism, inclusivity, authenticity, empathy, and honesty in their sexual narratives to promote positive change, enhance individual wellbeing, and strengthen society as a whole.
What responsibility do publishers have in presenting realistic sexual narratives?
The responsibility of a publisher is not only limited to providing readers with an accurate representation of sexuality but also involves helping them develop healthy attitudes towards it. Publishers must ensure that their books portray different kinds of sexuality in a balanced manner without glorifying any one kind over another. This includes both fictionalized and nonfictional texts, such as romance novels and self-help guides, respectively.