On gender and reading shame.

From BookRiot:

When it comes down to it, women seem to show more reading shame about reading specific genres. Men either a) also read those genres but don’t buy them or read them in public (with a few exceptions), or b) aren’t shamed about what they read as much as women are. I suspect it’s the latter. Basically, if men read “unliterary” but stereotypically masculine genres, it’s fine. If women read “unliterary” but stereotypically feminine genres, it’s deserving of a brown paper bag in the form of increased e-reader sales so you can read in public in peace.

Some of the stories in the column (and in the comments section) made me think of the Christmas season during my tween years in which my music-aficionado father was horribly, horribly embarrassed at the prospect of being seen purchasing a NKOTB cassette.

Comments

[Ilanawaters]

But is the fact that the men aren't buying them (or publicly reading them) mean the feel more shame than women, not less? Just a thought.

[tanita]

Ah, NKOTB - your Dad really loves you. My father would not have purchased Menudos for me, for love or money or anything.

[Ruby]

Ha! My lovely dad asked for Matt Cardle's CD for me, though he made sure to tell the shop assistant it was for his daughter. :-)

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[Chrus]

I agree with the first commenter. I'm not sure I follow BookRiot's logic. As a guy, I don't mind reading girly books at home, and even posting blogs about them, but I'd rather not be seen reading something like ttyl or 50 Shades of Grey in public because I'd be embarrassed if people caught me reading either one.