The present invention is drawn to an aqueous emulsion composition. The composition includes an aqueous phase and a hydrophobic phase dispersed in the aqueous phase, which includes a plurality of hydrophobic monomers. The monomers are acid-functionalized and hydrophobic, with less than 10% solubility in water. In one aspect, the monomers can be aromatic. Such monomers can be polymerized with other monomers to form latex particulates. A latex can include latex particulates dispersed in an aqueous fluid medium. In one embodiment, latex particulates can include from about 0.1 wt % to about 25 wt % of polymerized hydrophobic acid-functionalized monomer, and at least one other polymerized film-forming monomer. The latex can be formulated as an ink-jet ink.