Where do our delusions come from?

Last weeks post seemed a little existential, so I thought I'd make a fun assignment this week. Can you think of where some of your delusions about relationships came from in popular culture? I know religion, parents, friends, and school all did too (Oh we'll get to that, believe me!) but what pop icons did you grab onto that might have left a mark on how you perceived relationships?

I'll name three from my own formative years:



The Dick Van Dyke Show
This seems innocent enough back on Nick at Nite. But I was watching some episodes this week, and realize there are so many subplots in this show that flew under my radar. Sally, the quirky single writer is desperately, painfully single. And the happy wife was a housewife, who always had dinner waiting. What the hell did Laura Petri ever get to do on her own besides the shopping?

Second:


Princess Bride
I've probably seen this movie more times than any other single movie. True love, and its power in overcoming incredible obstacles (like shrieking eels and the cliffs of insanity, and even death) is a beautiful notion, but this movie skips right over communication, compromise, and the real work to make relationships work. No wonder I thought romantic love would just happen without any work on my part.

Third:



Star trek (Deep Space Nine)
Okay, okay, I was a big nerd in Jr.High and High School. Yes, I watched Star Trek and liked it. But check out the ridiculously costumed "seven of nine " character and the weird homoerotic "hot lesbian" subtheme. Urg. Apparently, even in the future lesbianism remains a male fantasy.


Okay, your turn. Where did some of your models of women in relationships come from?

--Heidi

p.s. there were of course several positive influences I thought about too-the Cosby Show deserves special mention for having an awesome strong female role model.