Women and Domination

It's no wonder that women let themselves get into abusive situations, maybe even seek them out--the hero of the romances they read is usually the physically and psychologically most powerful guy in town.  He's alpha--he dominates.

In romances of an earlier era, he batted the heroine around at some point, often raping her, which allowed the reader to accept her as a "good girl" because, even though she was sexually attracted to the guy, she had to be forced.  Of course, one time around with such a good-looking, masterful man and she was converted and in love.  Think Rosemary Rogers.

And now we have the bondage books on every doorstep.  Yeah, love comes from being totally submissive.  Fiorella feels like burning her bra.

But why do women read these books?  After all, romance authors aren't coming up with this stuff on their own--they write to sell.  Think--is there something in female psychology that draws us to this scenario?  Are we naturally attracted to the idea of being the sex toys of Ghengis Khan? Is masochism in our DNA?

Fiorella is troubled.