A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF FEMALE ROLE MODELS IN SELECTED CONTEMPORARY TEEN ROMANCES

To determine if the female characters could serve as realistic role models for adolescent girls of the 1980s, 30 selected representative teen romances were analyzed. The inductive methodologies of grounded theory research provided the framework of the study, using literature as the data base.

The first phase of research identified a chronological, ritualistic pattern of three stages of romance: separation, initiation, and self-enlightenment. Sub-categories of these stages were the call, the preparation for the quest, aides and hindrances, inner conflicts, and crossing the threshold from girl to young woman.

In the second phase of research female characters were compared against results of empirical research to determine their value as role models. In order to evaluate sex-role stereotyping, heroines were rated against the Bem Sex-Role Inventory and Gage and Berliner stereotyping lists. Carlsen's developmental tasks served as the standard of comparison for adolescent concerns of the heroines. Finally, current sociological statistics about contemporary American women provided a profile for comparison with the heroines.

In one sense, the novels do not appear representative of the average American teenage girl in that the heroines were white, 14 to 17 years old, slim, pretty, intelligent, talented, and upper middle class. However, the romances are surprisingly realistic in addressing typical adolescent developmental tasks, and thus provide examples of behavioral role models. Though criticized for a lack of direct treatment of teenagers and sex, the novels of this study dealt with sexual development which reflected Rogers' sexual development theory.

The process of romance in the novels, rather than the romance itself, led to a higher degree of androgynous behavior by the heroine after the quest was completed, whether successfully or not. Highly masculine or feminine prior to romance and unstable during the quest heroines exhibited a more balanced, androgynous behavior during the final self-enlightenment stage.