Why You Shouldn't Feel Guilty about Guilty Pleasures

​By Kenzie

Guilty pleasures. Everyone has at least one hobby or thing that they enjoy which they would consider a guilty pleasure. I know I certainly do. But why do we call them guilty pleasures and should we really feel guilty about something we enjoy?

According to the Oxford dictionary, a guilty pleasure is defined as 'something, such as a film, television programme, or piece of music, that one enjoys despite feeling that it is not generally held in high regard.' Psychologists tend to believe that guilt motivates people to follow the social norms and fit in with society as an accepted member of wider society and community.** Essentially, we feel bad when we break the rules, which then prevents us from breaking the rules as often. In the case of interests, the norms might be what is socially acceptable to like which is where the concept of guilty pleasure and feeling shame over differing from the norms originates and evolves from. For me, my guilty pleasures tend to refer to my music taste. My music taste is very eclectic as it is and there are certainly one or two oddballs in my library that you wouldn't expect to be there when you look at the rest of my music. 

One of these is Michael Buble. I love Michael Buble and absolutely adore his voice which sounds like melted velvet chocolate. But whenever I tell people that I like Michael Buble, I get this look. I don't quite know how to describe it but it's a look of surprise mixed with disapproval and contempt. In my opinion, this comes from Michael Buble being a jazz/swing/skat style singer, and could probably be described as a crooner. Jazz music seems to be a very distinguished taste and from what I've seen.Most people describe it as the style of music where everyone in the band is playing a different tune all at once. Sometimes, I agree with this description of jazz but just because I sometimes agree with it doesn't, or at least shouldn't, mean that I can't enjoy some jazz musicians.

This is one of the reasons why I have a problem with guilty pleasures. Just because something isn't your usual taste or doesn't fit with your reputation or 'image' doesn't mean that you aren't allowed to like it. The use of the word 'guilty' implies that you should feel ashamed and embarrassed over what you enjoy and almost as though you should hide it. But why? You shouldn't feel ashamed because you like something. You are free to like what you like, listen to what you listen to, and watch what you watch, no matter what that is. Guilty pleasures shouldn't be guilty at all. 

I understand how difficult it can be to fully enjoy your pleasures when others make you feel guilty for them. But an important thing to remember is that everyone has their own interests and things that they enjoy and that’s perfectly okay. If everyone enjoyed the same things, the world would be a pretty boring place without any variety in the genre of music, films, and TV available. It is vital to your wellbeing to appreciate the options and choices you have for your enjoyment and acknowledge that just because other people don’t like your choices, that doesn’t mean that your choices are bad. 

Following on from the above, it is pertinent that you are not one of the people who makes a peer feel guilt or shame over their hobbies or taste.  As a victim of this feeling, I make a conscious effort to be more understanding and accepting of other people's tastes in different things like TV, music, games, books, etc. Just because my interests are different from my best friend’s interests does not make one or the other correct or incorrect; it just makes them different. It breeds discussion between us about why we like certain things and can even make the other person see a new perspective. But if it doesn’t and they maintain the same opinion then it’s not the end of the world. I can accept and understand their views and their interests. I think we should all make an effort to be  accepting and understanding. If we can accept and understand people’s sexuality and lifestyle, then why should we deny them their interests and pleasures?

The term ‘guilty pleasure’ seems to be a relatively recent invention in modern society, but maybe, just maybe, it’s already time to give it up and retire it. In my opinion, we focus more on the feeling of guilt rather than the feeling of pleasure and the enjoyment of pleasure itself. Guilty pleasures are still pleasures, regardless.
That’s still beneficial to us as humans, to our wellbeing and our minds and mental state. It's hard to argue that any of that is something that anyone should feel guilty about.
** This research comes from the article 'Guilty Pleasures are just Pleasures' by Alan Jern. You can read more of that article here: https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/blog/overthinking-tv/202011/guilty-pleasures-are-just-pleasures