Does anyone think that it's a bit voyeuristic and creepy when people obsessively read abuse memoirs?

Question

Like Dave Pelzer et al. Why do people enjoy reading (revelling) in the details of abuse?

Answer 1

Yes - I just don't undertstand the attraction in books like that at all

Answer 2

You are right obsessive reading of this type of memoir is scary. However one should read some of these stories in order to be aware of the nature of abuse so you can try to get any suspicious circumstances investigated. It is not just children I had a circular from Help the Aged recently saying it is believed that many 1000's of elderly people are being abused by their carers.

Answer 3

i have read a few of these books in the hope that seeing the strengh that these people have got and come through will help me gt over the abuse that i went through as a child, it didnt help in fact i think it just kept on reinforcing the bad things that happen now i have given up reading these books i can take the strengh with me and get on with my life rather than be stuck in that same place day in day out, but i understand both sides i think some people do perhaps enjoy the pain that some people go through at the same time i think there are people out there who these books help. also remember these people who write these books know there are some weird people out there if they didnt want them to know about there story they shouldn't write the books

Answer 4

I once read a memoir by a South African woman who was raped and molested repeatedly by her stepfather in her childhood. She told her friend, her friend's mother, her reverend. Nobody did anything. It was sickening to read. I didn't enjoy it at all. I think some people genuinely wants to learn from that experiences, how others survived something bitter from the past, or maybe because they share a past experience. But others might just read it fo sadistic pleasure, or maybe to get ideas. I don't feel comfortable with it but at least abuse especially child molestation and rape is not hidden in the closet as it once was, so maybe these books can actually contribute to our understanding and empathy.

Answer 5

Have you ever thought that the people who read these books might have gone through some similar type of abuse and see something of themselves in the character,or that its reassuring to know that they are not the only ones who have suffered at the hands of an abuser,so no,i dont think its creepy.

Answer 6

As with some of the other answers, it is a sign of strength for the writer, he has overcome his early years of abuse, others will regain their confidence if they feel they are not the only one out there who has suffered. People who have suffered abuse feel isolated, reading about others helps them to feel they are not alone. I personally have not read the book, but I can understand why the book was written, also why people read it. It is the same with people who have suffer other problems, they all feel isolated, and it helps them to know they are not the only one with that problem.

Answer 7

I was locked in a cupboard and forced to read these books by cruel parents, who also made me watch Eastenders through the keyhole.
My friend the spiders and I agreed that there is always someone worse off - I mean, my upbringing was very rough but not enough to earn a book deal. Some of these guys are world champion victims!
I may sue my parents for lack of cruelty, thereby denying me a lucrative career.
People crave sensation, experience and strength of feeling - these books can give it to some, the same way others watch sports stars or porn stars, two other groups who take one side of human experience to an extreme. The people feeding this suffering habit really do need to get out more and experience for themselves.
Except me, I love my cupboard. If it was good enough for Harry Potter, it is good enough for me...
Cheers, Steve.

Answer 8

I have never read this sort of biography I have to say, but the only way I could see the appeal would be to witness the strength of someone who has been abused and had the strength to get through it and out the other side.

Answer 9

I read for pleasure and as I could never feel pleasure at reading someone's account of thier abuse I can't read theses books. BUT I do think some some people read them as they can be about triumphing over adversity and the strength of the human spirit.

Answer 10

If that was the case we would all live in rose tinted bubbles and wouldn't be aware of any of the horrific bad things that happen in the world.

I think its important to know about the extent of these things, to know how to prevent them from happening to you and your loved ones and to admire the courageousness of those involved in such horrific circumstances.

I think it would be ignorant of us not to acknowlege that these things happen and books that are written about these subjects are often done to bring awareness to the subject as a preventitive measure.

Besides, it is very difficult to ignore these thing happen in this day and age as it is everywhere, film, T.V and literature.

People who get off on reading about such issues have issues themselves and maybe this is where you have a point, but i do read books of this nature but not because it gives me satifaction but because it educates me on things i am fortunate not to have been exposed to.

Answer 11

Object to the word obsessive. Some teenagers who have suffered abuse need to know that it was not their fault.These books can make them realise that they are not alone and not blameworthy. The books can enable them to discuss their alienation to society.