Probing Popular Culture

The Texas billionaire's pregnant bride: An evolutionary interpretation of romance fiction titles.

“…Cowboys are unequivocally American (Fishwick, 2004; Seiler, 2008), and many scholars have written about the way in which cowboys embody the American ethos. For example, Allan (1998) contends that the popularity of cowboys and the western motif is because it taps into the emotions of Americans, telling the “epic story of…[their] crossing a continental frontier and taming its wild forces, planting and nurturing the seeds of American civilization” (p. 203).…”

“…In real life and in fiction, cowboys are generally young and athletic enough to ride horses and handle cattle (Frantz & Choate, 1968). They are honest men of virtue who are prepared to defend themselves, and sometimes, a woman in need (Fishwick, 2004). They symbolize freedom, individuality, a closeness to nature, and living a daring life (Fishwick, 2004).…”

“…They are honest men of virtue who are prepared to defend themselves, and sometimes, a woman in need (Fishwick, 2004). They symbolize freedom, individuality, a closeness to nature, and living a daring life (Fishwick, 2004). In reality, they are often adventurous, sons of small-time farmers who seek opportunities to leave their small family farms (Savage, 1985).…”