Stalking Is Harmless

"Stalking Is Harmless" is one of things Romantic Comedies Get Wrong. When it comes to seeking a job or competing in sports, the saying "If at first you don't succeed, try, try, try again" is totally appropriate. When it comes to relationships, though, movies frequently assume a more militaristic tone: chase down the target by air, land, or sea until they finally wave the white flag. This is not only a heinous message, but it can also have serious implications.

According to a 2015 research at the University of Michigan, women who see films like There's Something About Mary become more tolerant of violent male conduct. Author Julia R. Lippman says that some popular rom-coms have (men and women) protagonists with stalker-like tendencies. “I was inspired to pursue this research by observing that stalking often seems to be trivialized in culture, said Lippman. This depiction of relentless pursuit is especially dangerous because “It can encourage women to discount their instincts,” adds Lippman.