The “bad boy” is huge in fiction right now, but we seem to have conflated the original idea of a bad boy with a list of domestic abuse signs. This has caused somewhat of a backlash against anything even resembling a bad boy, but for those who enjoy the trope, there’s no reason to throw the baby out with the bathwater! Getting rid of the problems can be done without getting rid of the bad boy and the basic fantasy that he embodies.
There are so many different ways to be a bad boy, and it’s not necessary to have a character hit abusive highlights in order to have the appeal. Try including or focusing on some of the following traits:
- The tough-guy look is an obvious note to hit, and there’s no denying that there’s a certain appeal to tattoos and leather. But there’s varieties in that, as well. He doesn’t have to dress like a biker; a pair of well-worn jeans or a penchant for brazen belt buckles can do the job just as well. A general rule of thumb: be more casual and/or blue collar than convention calls for.