Natalie Clark answers “Was the relationship between the high...”

Penny asked this question about Three Women:

Was the relationship between the high school student and her teacher romanticized? Was the girl portrayed as "asking for it"? Is female masochism normalized in this book? It sounds a little creepy, and extremely misogynistic. Not all women "desire" suffering & exploitation.

Natalie Clark I think it's a very honest telling of how many women and men have felt when they are in an abusive relationship where there is a power and or age imba…moreI think it's a very honest telling of how many women and men have felt when they are in an abusive relationship where there is a power and or age imbalances. As a reader we know that the teacher is in the wrong however that doesn't mean we have to read this from Maggie's perspective have this explictly stated from the start. She loves him and enjoyed her experiences however the older she gets the more troubled she becomes as she realises the truth and severity of the situation. This man did not love her, he abused her. Only it has been Maggie who has been punished for wanting to sleep with older men rather than the older men being punished for exploiting a vulnerable child. If Maggie had have had relationships with people her own age as she was 16-18 then she could have consented and explored romantic and sexual feelings that are natural at her age. It is using the truth of how young women face a difficult predicament of being bombarded with sexual messages but not being able to explore sex in a healthy,pleasurable and empowering way. This has left her, along with her parents issues vulnerable to a man who should know better. You cannot criticises the book for highlighting the msygony and social control young women have over their own bodies but we should look to society, the media, education and to ourselves; how do we as women address this so other generation's do not suffer as Maggie has.(less)

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