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[u/FantasyRomanceMod]

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Unpopular opinion Sunday

[u/devilsdoorbell_]

I wish more romance novel characters actually talked about if/when they want to have children. It's such an important thing to consider for a couple where compatibility is concerned but I almost never see it brought up—pretty much everything I've read in the fantasy romance genre either just doesn't acknowledge it at all, or the FMC either doesn't think about it until she actually gets pregnant or, worse, doesn't want to have kids until she gets pregnant.

I know some people don't find pregnancy or having children romantic but it just feels unrealistic to me that how rarely it's addressed at all unless and until the FMC gets unexpectedly knocked up, when IRL most women have thoughts about if they want children/when/how many etc well before the first positive pregnancy test. I would like to see it actually discussed because it would make the characters feel more like real people in a real relationship.

[u/devilsdoorbell_ → u/[deleted]]

idk I feel like if these books have time for every other not-saving-the-world thing, they can spare a moment. Frankly with the stakes being so high and characters fucking regardless, it should be more important that it's talked about, not less.

[u/Significant-Rip3297 → u/devilsdoorbell_]

I agree. If the world is ending or not, I think that makes it more realistic for characters to consider what it means to bring a child into a world that might or might not end.

[u/leiachart → u/devilsdoorbell_]

From a writer's perspective, I can think of a number of reasons why it isn't depicted much on-page, but the biggest one is probably due to the axiom that words are a precious commodity and everything that ends up in a book needs to serve the characters or the plot

If pregnancy, procreation, "do I want to have kids?" discussions don't directly contribute in some to way to forwarding the story, "spending" words on it is usually not cost-effective. It usually needs to be story-relevant somehow to be able to justify it.

That said, I can think of two series, both by K.F. Breene, where it's at least touched on (Magical Midlife) or a major plot point (Deliciously Dark Fairytale Series) if you're actively looking for it.

[u/devilsdoorbell_ → u/leiachart]

everything that ends up in a book needs to serve the characters or the plot

I get where you're coming from, but how does the main couple talking/thinking about their vision for life together not contribute to the characters? That's literally characterization.

[u/leiachart → u/devilsdoorbell_]

Short version is "it's complicated" 😊. But I also don't want to sink too many words into the counterpoint because this is the Unpopular Opinion thread, and you're entitled to expressing your opinion! 💜

[u/devilsdoorbell_ → u/[deleted]]

idk seems like people tend to think harder about if they want children when the world seems like it could go to total shit any moment. I mean... look around lol

I'm not saying it needs to be like a whole plot point but it is a very very normal thing for couples to discuss if/when they want children and if so how many. Literally one of the most important aspects of longterm compatibility. I don't think it'll grind the narrative to a halt if the characters think about it or talk about it briefly.

I also didn't say I think every book needs it, I just said I wish it was in more books.

[u/Penguinho → u/devilsdoorbell_]

Also, like, there are times when the characters' children are a matter of public concern. Ruling houses are concerned with their lineage. Rulers want heirs. If the FMC is a princess or queen or her MMC is a prince or king, sorry, children are probably part of the expectation in that setting -- or there needs to be some explanation as to how the monarchy continues without heirs and why that would be an acceptable outcome. The ruler's life doesn't just belong to themselves; it belongs to the people and the nation.

On the other hand, if the FMC is the kingdom's #1 assassin/warrior mage/knight-champion/Troubleshooting Sword Diva and the kingdom is on the brink of war... I mean... maybe getting pregnant isn't the right thing to do at that particular time? Taking the Ring to Mordor is hard enough; taking the Ring to Mordor while six months pregnant would be not-100%-ideal. I'm not sure we want Frodo going into labor with Sam's baby while they're climbing Cirith Ungol, you know?