Fairytales : the influence on young women's perception of romantic love

Abstract

The aim of this study is to explore how fairytales impinge on young women's perception of romantic love. Using a qualitative approach four focus groups were conducted with female participants aged between 16 and 24 who were either in relationships or single and this was analysed using thematic analysis. This research indicates that young women identify with the female characters in fairytales. It also indicates that fairytales effect young women's expectations of boyfriends and young women's expectations of relationships in general. The most useful thing that could emerge from this study is an awareness of how certain notions young women have may effect their expectations of romantic relationships. It also offers recommendations for how the findings of this research are useful outside the context of romantic love.