Is Sex really necessary?

Post by **Sushan Ekanayake** » 21 Jul 2020, 19:39

rumik wrote: ↑20 Jul 2020, 23:34 Haven't read the book, but judging by the replies here, it seems to be more of the unnecessary sex scenes that plague science fiction these days a lot.

Yes, most readers have found that those content is annoying

Post by **Sushan Ekanayake** » 21 Jul 2020, 19:41

Vine001 wrote: ↑21 Jul 2020, 04:23
B Creech wrote: ↑01 Jul 2020, 17:35 I found it distasteful. I can't understand how it was necessary for the story. Many times, at least for me, books lose their interest because of things like overly graphic sex, violence, and profanity thrown into it. Books can be excellent reads without it!
Most times I too feel the same way. Overly graphic sex scenes in novels put me off completely.

In some novels such content are necessary. But in some the authors' just use them and avert a good amount of audience

Post by **Sushan Ekanayake** » 21 Jul 2020, 19:42

Maid to clean wrote: ↑21 Jul 2020, 10:13 I didn't see the need for the sex scene, but in almost every story their is a scene where their is some form of sexual encounters.

It is okay once in a while. But repeated use can lower the quality of a book

Post by **Sushan Ekanayake** » 21 Jul 2020, 19:43

Sjtoy wrote: ↑21 Jul 2020, 13:38 I personally did not care for the promiscuity the explorers participated in. Although the author did tie it into the story by stating the plants were producing hormones that affected the explorers, I found these scenes unnecessary. I enjoyed the book overall, but these sex scenes did knock it down a few pegs for me.

The author has reasoned his use of those content. But his repeated use of it has made most readers to feel annoyed

elisathelvarik · Post by **elisathelvarik** » 22 Jul 2020, 00:04

Sushan wrote: ↑21 Jul 2020, 19:39
elisathelvarik wrote: ↑20 Jul 2020, 21:36 The true biological aspect of sex is in fact necessary since it is for the creation of life as we know it. The lustful and sexual desires that have become normalized by society I do not think are necessary. Life could still go on without it being used as an icon. I think sex in literature is okay and appropriate in many circumstances, but I know that many authors and readers take it too far sometimes.
Even literature can be beautiful without it. Unnecessary use sometimes lows down the quality of good literature

Exactly! Good literature can be diluted by excessive or unneeded sex scenes. Literature can use so many other devices to be beautiful and well-written in its own right.

riyosha · Post by **riyosha** » 22 Jul 2020, 01:12

Sushan wrote: ↑21 Jul 2020, 19:37
riyosha wrote: ↑20 Jul 2020, 21:17 To be honest, I think that sexual desires are basic human nature. Even after the most stressful situation, sex may help destress. So I don't think it is unnecessary, but the way it is described can be frivolous or unnecessary.
Some readers do not like graphic sexual content, but some do. Simply it is the reader's preference at the end

Totally agree, it depends on the reader's preference. But preference alone doesn't determine whether sex is necessary or unnecessary in a book. It may not be necessary, but that's the same with any other element in the book except the plot. So I will not call something unnecessary based on my preference.

riyosha · Post by **riyosha** » 22 Jul 2020, 01:16

elisathelvarik wrote: ↑21 Jul 2020, 18:03
riyosha wrote: ↑21 Jul 2020, 02:28
elisathelvarik wrote: ↑21 Jul 2020, 00:18
I agree sex is natural and should not be shunned altogether, but the addition of sex to a story where it does not make sense doesn't add up. For example, a romance novel could have sex naturally since it matches the novel and progresses as it should. If a sex scene is added, isn't the more important parts of the book diluted by filler? Is the sex in this book just filler? Does it provide any character development in this novel?
Yea I see your point and totally agree. When sex and steamy scenes are given too much importance, they are very irritating. It's not necessary for sex scenes to provide character development always though; how many times in our lives does sex help us grow? Not always.
But yes, I've discontinued series in the past merely because it started giving too much emphasis on sex. It shouldn't become the overbearing theme of a novel.
I totally agree. Character growth can develop through overcoming challenges and the building of resilience. If a person utilizes their own character development through sexual relations, is that truly personal growth? Novels can use sex as a device to move the story along, but it would be much more enjoyable for two love interests to spend real time together rather than just have sex to seem closer. Even though I read many novels that include sex inside the story, I will stop reading if sex is a focal point for no apparent reason.

Totally relate

AnxiousSocks · Post by **AnxiousSocks** » 22 Jul 2020, 02:35

Honestly, I don't think it's a matter of necessary or unnecessary. It's entirely a matter of taste and artistic freedom. The question of is it necessary in fiction is quite vague and I don't think there's an answer to it. And if the author uses sexually explicit scenes to get people's attention, then they have the right to do that. People decide if they want to read a book and why.
I have read books where it felt unnecessarily sexual and attention grabbing with no good reason in the plot but I think every book can make its individual case and everyone might have different opinions.

Post by **Sushan Ekanayake** » 22 Jul 2020, 03:26

AnxiousSocks wrote: ↑22 Jul 2020, 02:35 Honestly, I don't think it's a matter of necessary or unnecessary. It's entirely a matter of taste and artistic freedom. The question of is it necessary in fiction is quite vague and I don't think there's an answer to it. And if the author uses sexually explicit scenes to get people's attention, then they have the right to do that. People decide if they want to read a book and why.
I have read books where it felt unnecessarily sexual and attention grabbing with no good reason in the plot but I think every book can make its individual case and everyone might have different opinions.

Every author has the right to choose what to include and what not to include in his/her fiction, and the reader's have their own freedom to read or not to read what is presented to them

Mehak Gautam · Post by **Mehak Gautam** » 22 Jul 2020, 03:37

Theis question consists of a thousands answers that are effective in their own ways and I guess If there's something necessary about the romance in the story is to keep the readers engaged with it as well as it's a human behavior. Anyway! Sex is not necessary at all and It up to the writers who knows what he/she wants to write about.

It makes difference.....

elisathelvarik · Post by **elisathelvarik** » 22 Jul 2020, 05:03

AnxiousSocks wrote: ↑22 Jul 2020, 02:35 Honestly, I don't think it's a matter of necessary or unnecessary. It's entirely a matter of taste and artistic freedom. The question of is it necessary in fiction is quite vague and I don't think there's an answer to it. And if the author uses sexually explicit scenes to get people's attention, then they have the right to do that. People decide if they want to read a book and why.
I have read books where it felt unnecessarily sexual and attention grabbing with no good reason in the plot but I think every book can make its individual case and everyone might have different opinions.

I respect this point of view. Each piece of literature is a totally different instance and should not be generalized with one concrete answer. Explicit content could feel natural and/or needed in some cases, but unnecessary in others. In the end, it is the author's choice to include sexual content and the reader's choice to continue reading or not.

Post by **Sushan Ekanayake** » 22 Jul 2020, 07:14

Mehak Gautam wrote: ↑22 Jul 2020, 03:37 Theis question consists of a thousands answers that are effective in their own ways and I guess If there's something necessary about the romance in the story is to keep the readers engaged with it as well as it's a human behavior. Anyway! Sex is not necessary at all and It up to the writers who knows what he/she wants to write about.

It makes difference.....

It finally come to the preference of the author and the choice of the reader

Wy_Bertram · Post by **Wy_Bertram** » 22 Jul 2020, 07:22

Haven't read the book yet, but when done appropriately, there can be equal arguments for the addition of mature content.

When it isn't absolutely necessary it just comes off as cheap

Arite Seki · Post by **Arite Seki** » 22 Jul 2020, 08:16

Sushan wrote: ↑11 Jul 2020, 23:53
Arite Seki wrote: ↑11 Jul 2020, 21:45 I think it may not have been misplaced as sexual urges are not a foreign concept to most. I do however believe that, as is the case with most books today, that sex sells and so authors may add a sex scene in a book to keep their readers interested and engaged.
Yes, that will definitely attract some audience, but some of the audience might loose interest for the plot as well

I do agree with you there. I think especially if the readers aren't anticipating that specifically from the genre it can be slightly alienating. I just think some authors are more inclined to include sex scenes than others, simply as a preference.

Post by **Sushan Ekanayake** » 22 Jul 2020, 08:45

Wy_Bertram wrote: ↑22 Jul 2020, 07:22 Haven't read the book yet, but when done appropriately, there can be equal arguments for the addition of mature content.

When it isn't absolutely necessary it just comes off as cheap

Whatever the content is it should go hand in hand with the plot to keep the value of the particular content as well as the whole plot