One way to explore the impact of meme culture on social media is through its potential to change how individuals perceive and experience their world. Memes can have a profound effect on how people interact with one another online and offline. In particular, researchers have been interested in exploring how memes infused with eroticism may subtly shift power dynamics within relationships and shape expectations around sexual behavior. By examining popular memes circulating on Facebook, scholars can better understand the ways that memes recondition relational attitudes about sexual communication, gendered power, and desire.
Sexual Culture and Social Media
Memes are widely shared images, videos, or text accompanied by captions that often convey humor or irony. They are typically short and shareable, which makes them ideal for distribution across platforms like Facebook. While some memes simply entertain, others express political opinions or criticize cultural norms. Some even aim to subvert power structures such as those related to sex and gender. The spread of memes has led many researchers to ask whether these images contribute to an evolving sexual culture.
Subtle Messages
Many memes contain subtle messages about intimacy and desire that challenge traditional views of masculinity and femininity.
One viral meme shows two men standing side-by-side with text reading "My best friend said I looked fat in these jeans so I told him no worries, he's not my lover." This image challenges societal pressures on women to be demure and compliant while also highlighting the pressure on men to exert control over their partners. Another meme depicts a woman looking at her phone screen with text saying, "It took me 10 minutes to figure out what kind of salad dressing is best but 3 hours to figure out how to get him to come inside me." This meme pokes fun at male entitlement and sexual double standards. Such messages may help viewers question their own assumptions about relationships and reconsider attitudes toward sexuality.
Reframing Expectations
Another way that erotic memes can impact relational attitudes is by reframing expectations around sexual communication and behavior. Many memes focus on body shaming and objectification, which can lead viewers to explore alternative ways to communicate desires beyond physical appearance. One popular meme shows a man holding up his finger with text saying, "Just hold your fingers like this," indicating the shape of his penis. The meme suggests that men do not have to rely solely on looks or aggression when pursuing romance. Another meme features a man sitting next to a woman on a couch and captioned, "Sometimes you just need someone to lie beside you all night long doing absolutely nothing at all." Memes like these offer new perspectives on intimacy and desire that differ from traditional gender roles. They may encourage viewers to consider different types of relationships and interactions, especially those that emphasize emotional connection rather than physical attributes.
Normalizing Non-traditional Behavior
Memes also normalize non-traditional behaviors in terms of sexual attraction and desire.
One viral meme depicts two men embracing while reading books together with the caption, "I love it when my boyfriend does me dirty in the library." This image challenges heteronormative ideals and encourages viewers to think more broadly about who they find attractive. Similarly, another meme shows a couple kissing while wearing matching underwear with text stating, "I'm tired of being the only one who cares about our relationship." This meme highlights the importance of mutual care and respect within a partnership, regardless of gender identity or sexual orientation. By exposing individuals to diverse representations of intimacy, memes can help recondition relational attitudes around sexual communication, power dynamics, and desire.
How do memes infused with eroticism on Facebook subtly recondition relational attitudes about sexual communication, gendered power, and desire?
Meme images have emerged as an important part of Facebook's user interface, allowing users to communicate their thoughts and feelings through creative means. Memes that are sexually suggestive can play a role in shaping how individuals view relationships between men and women, as well as influencing cultural attitudes towards sexuality more broadly. These images may subconsciously reinforce dominant gender roles, perpetuate harmful stereotypes, and influence social expectations for romantic interactions.