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The Why Factor: Romance

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18/09/2017 GMT

Romance

BBC World Service - The Why Factor, Romance

Why is it such an enduring concept and what does it mean in the modern world?

We all have our own idea of what Romance means to us, but do its ancient roots conflict with modern ideas of gender, love and sexuality?

Red roses, romantic dinners and Valentine’s Day might have become the modern expression of Romance – but where do its ancient roots lie? And do traditional ideas about Romance conflict with today’s experience of gender, love and sexuality? 

Afua Hirsch talks to Eddie and Justin Outlaw about their experience of Romance as a gay couple in America’s deep south. We also hear from Kiru Taye, a Nigerian author who wanted to challenge the predominately white and western world of Romance novels; and sex and attachment expert Sarah Merrill describes how the romantic instinct is etched into our very biology. 

Yet in the world of swipe right, swipe left dating apps – how might our experience of Romance be changing?

(Image: Book, heart pages, Credit: Shutterstock)

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