Let's put it that way, many sectors of society have an escapist literature. Many male sectors have their own versions of Romantic novels, where the men are masculine, experienced, successful, and full of heroism.
There are so much fiction out there which can be branded escapism, sure I'd agree that some of it is more petty, but really as long as the reader is conscious about the difference between fiction and reality it doesn't have to be harmful.
For example I love reading Neil Gaiman, I love the background and setting for his stories, especially when he injects world mythology to the narrative. The worlds he create are mysterious and sensual, but I also close the book at some point and go back to real life. Where there are no supernatural beings and there is less mystery.
Likewise, as long as Romance novels don't enforce false ideals over men, false expectations from women, and the thought that all responsibility for a great sex life, and a great relationship fall solely on men and their (apparently) abundance of confidence, then let everyone read what turns them on.
I think it's better to have many genres and niches, I'd hate it if some of the literature I read turns mainstream.
I have to agree with Dan. Romance novels IMO offer up the heterosexual woman the male as a prop in her romantic fantasy, and that it plays out as a quasi-rape-fantasy story as well (he is so consumed with love for her that he must do anything to have her). At least that's what I got when I read them. It's also an escapist fantasy where a woman is the protagonist, and it's
her journey that is being explored instead of a man's journey through life and love that is being presented.
BTW, I found Gone with the Wind to be a romance novel, as well, with a lengthy and drawn out rape fantasy where Rhett is the prop and Scarlett is the instigator of being so desirable and unaccessible. But, what I also found to be a unique and delightful take (which helped me to connect to the characters and the story), was that that the characters were deeply flawed in a tumultuous and extremely difficult time in U.S. history. I found Scarletts story from constant rises and falls to be more believable than simple worries of whether or not somebody would like her. Multiple marriages, death of a spouse, death of a child, victimized by rape by her husband (which in the fantasy shows her feeling guilty that she enjoyed it), war, economic ruin, hunger and poverty, and then finally after suddenly seeing what was most important to her all along....her love for Rhett....he has given up and walks away.
I find some folks feeling a certain hostility toward these fantasy novels and porn and 50 Shades of Grey and romantic comedies and pop culture and pop music, and sometimes I wonder just how much we don't recognize how escapism is prevalent to all of us, but that it is only our particular taste of escapist fantasy that determines the worth. We'd like to think our own brand of escapism is either more fun, has more intelligence, or is more evolved, but in the end, the vast majority of us don't want to face the reality that one day we're going to die, our loved ones are going to die, our children are going to die, and the world will end...and there's nothing we can do about that.
It's fantasy. Just have fun with it. Digest it a bit and understand what makes it intriguing to the population that makes it a thriving industry. I have my opinion that porn speaks to us about our views on sex. Romance novels offer something that speaks to us about our views on romance. I suggest for people to pay attention and don't simply dismiss stuff like this with a wave of the hand.
But, what do I know?
It's awesome, isn't it!? O Heathcliff! You'z a bad sonova*****!
