2) many people tend to present very male, even virile characters as "girlish"
THAT right there. That nicely pinpoints the main reason I don't like most yaoi. The idea that, in a relationship, someone has to fill the "feminine" role, as the case may be. They're MEN. Just because they happen to like another dude, or start liking another dude, or simply like sex with another dude, etc., does not mean they're going to stop acting like men. But like you said, I think a lot of yaoi writers are simply too young and inexperienced to know this, or simply don't realize it. Maybe because the most common portrayal of gay men in media are the flamboyant, girlish types? Who knows? But there have been some slash stories I've LOVED, because they not only have a good plot (a plot at all!) and good characterizations, but because they kick the stereotypical seme/uke dynamic in the face. And that's refreshing.
God, I love your icon. So perfect! XD The word is generally seen as sort-of-vulgar slang in English (which might be another reason I don't like reading it--unless it's a first-person story, any slang in narration makes me go :\ ). It's still more goofy than vulgar to me. But yes, "cock" formally refers to a male rooster. Some connection between being a virile, dominating male and impregnating hens or something, I'm guessing. I'm honestly not too sure, myself.
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timeasmymeasure
no subject
Date: 2009-08-17 08:24 pm (UTC)THAT right there. That nicely pinpoints the main reason I don't like most yaoi. The idea that, in a relationship, someone has to fill the "feminine" role, as the case may be. They're MEN. Just because they happen to like another dude, or start liking another dude, or simply like sex with another dude, etc., does not mean they're going to stop acting like men. But like you said, I think a lot of yaoi writers are simply too young and inexperienced to know this, or simply don't realize it. Maybe because the most common portrayal of gay men in media are the flamboyant, girlish types? Who knows? But there have been some slash stories I've LOVED, because they not only have a good plot (a plot at all!) and good characterizations, but because they kick the stereotypical seme/uke dynamic in the face. And that's refreshing.
God, I love your icon. So perfect! XD The word is generally seen as sort-of-vulgar slang in English (which might be another reason I don't like reading it--unless it's a first-person story, any slang in narration makes me go :\ ). It's still more goofy than vulgar to me. But yes, "cock" formally refers to a male rooster. Some connection between being a virile, dominating male and impregnating hens or something, I'm guessing. I'm honestly not too sure, myself.