Comments on: “Twilight” comes too early http://insideschools.org/blog/2009/03/31/twilight-comes-too-early/ Wed, 17 Mar 2010 05:20:44 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.3.3 By: misha http://insideschools.org/blog/2009/03/31/twilight-comes-too-early/#comment-5979 misha Wed, 08 Apr 2009 19:24:18 +0000 http://insideschools.org/blog/2009/03/31/twilight-comes-too-early/#comment-5979 Hi Toni, what a welcome post! (here's my 2 cents): I read the series before my 12-year old daughter did. I too would have preferred that the central character were more "dynamic" but I have to admit, this was in general an appealing character: not into makeup or gossip, ackward, studious, respectful and supportive of her parents, bit of a loner, and more emotionally mature than her classmates. On the vampire side (I can't believe I wrote that), here’s a 'family' who respects & cares for each other and their community. It acts repeatedly to preserve and protect that community. The teens honor their adoptive parents, are well behaved & compassionate. Those are the details I emphasized to my daughter as she read, while addressing the whole breathless romance issue. She's soon going to be experiencing similar feelings (remember?) and the situations that come up provide a welcome opening to discussion on how to deal: what's appropriate, and what is not. The main characters’ behavior is one based on respect, trust, protection, and is a foil to the messages unrolling for my daughter every day in music, on posters, on TV, in movies, magazines, in school yards & on myspace. Yes, there are over-the-top dramatic developments due to the human-vampire-werewolf relationships. Those drive the otherwise mundane story. My daughter won’t have any trouble distinguishing those from reality. But the underlying elements reinforce our own blueprint for kind of treatment you *should* expect from a boyfriend or girlfriend: trust, friendship, affection ... powerful illustrations to counteract the messages assaulting her every day in far greater numbers. As for feminist role models, she is surrounded by more dynamic ones than provided by these characters: her extended family, her teachers, her caregivers and parents of her good friends. For younger kids, I agree, this ain't the best choice (and has an “ewwww kissy” factor that will turn most kids away). In general, I would be surprised that this bit of engaging fluff risks derailing any bright young thing from the path laid down by a responsible parent. But it might, just might, further underscore how one should be treated by the people they love. Hi Toni, what a welcome post! (here’s my 2 cents): I read the series before my 12-year old daughter did. I too would have preferred that the central character were more “dynamic” but I have to admit, this was in general an appealing character: not into makeup or gossip, ackward, studious, respectful and supportive of her parents, bit of a loner, and more emotionally mature than her classmates. On the vampire side (I can’t believe I wrote that), here’s a ‘family’ who respects & cares for each other and their community. It acts repeatedly to preserve and protect that community. The teens honor their adoptive parents, are well behaved & compassionate. Those are the details I emphasized to my daughter as she read, while addressing the whole breathless romance issue. She’s soon going to be experiencing similar feelings (remember?) and the situations that come up provide a welcome opening to discussion on how to deal: what’s appropriate, and what is not. The main characters’ behavior is one based on respect, trust, protection, and is a foil to the messages unrolling for my daughter every day in music, on posters, on TV, in movies, magazines, in school yards & on myspace. Yes, there are over-the-top dramatic developments due to the human-vampire-werewolf relationships. Those drive the otherwise mundane story. My daughter won’t have any trouble distinguishing those from reality. But the underlying elements reinforce our own blueprint for kind of treatment you *should* expect from a boyfriend or girlfriend: trust, friendship, affection … powerful illustrations to counteract the messages assaulting her every day in far greater numbers. As for feminist role models, she is surrounded by more dynamic ones than provided by these characters: her extended family, her teachers, her caregivers and parents of her good friends. For younger kids, I agree, this ain’t the best choice (and has an “ewwww kissy” factor that will turn most kids away). In general, I would be surprised that this bit of engaging fluff risks derailing any bright young thing from the path laid down by a responsible parent. But it might, just might, further underscore how one should be treated by the people they love.

]]> By: Toni Bruno http://insideschools.org/blog/2009/03/31/twilight-comes-too-early/#comment-5717 Toni Bruno Fri, 03 Apr 2009 00:18:43 +0000 http://insideschools.org/blog/2009/03/31/twilight-comes-too-early/#comment-5717 I'm sorry about the citation problem. That entire paragraph was supposed to link to the article, I didn't realize that only the last three words got the link. Thanks for letting me know, I appreciate it. I’m sorry about the citation problem. That entire paragraph was supposed to link to the article, I didn’t realize that only the last three words got the link. Thanks for letting me know, I appreciate it.

]]> By: Jen http://insideschools.org/blog/2009/03/31/twilight-comes-too-early/#comment-5701 Jen Thu, 02 Apr 2009 14:20:12 +0000 http://insideschools.org/blog/2009/03/31/twilight-comes-too-early/#comment-5701 Hi Toni, I enjoyed your writing but I felt compelled to write in to say that it's important to cite your work when you are quoting directly from another source. I read the article you linked to in your 3rd paragraph to see that the entire thing was copied directly from that source. Even in opinion articles, it is important to give credit where it's due, and as a high schooler, many writers and students likely look up to you. Thanks always for your interesting views and articles... Hi Toni,
I enjoyed your writing but I felt compelled to write in to say that it’s important to cite your work when you are quoting directly from another source. I read the article you linked to in your 3rd paragraph to see that the entire thing was copied directly from that source. Even in opinion articles, it is important to give credit where it’s due, and as a high schooler, many writers and students likely look up to you.
Thanks always for your interesting views and articles…

]]> By: Shannon http://insideschools.org/blog/2009/03/31/twilight-comes-too-early/#comment-5688 Shannon Wed, 01 Apr 2009 23:40:24 +0000 http://insideschools.org/blog/2009/03/31/twilight-comes-too-early/#comment-5688 Hi Toni, What a wonderful post. It's great that you're looking at the books you read with a critical eye. I couldn't agree more with your assessment of Bella's character. To me, the most disturbing part is the 2nd book, in which she feels that her life is over if she has to live without Edward. This is the least developed character I've ever read - she has no interests to speak of, barely any friends. The only "skill" she has (until the last book) is that Edward can't read her mind. I know the books are fun to read, but there are some issues here that parents should be talking to their kids about. Thanks for getting a discussion going! Hi Toni, What a wonderful post. It’s great that you’re looking at the books you read with a critical eye. I couldn’t agree more with your assessment of Bella’s character. To me, the most disturbing part is the 2nd book, in which she feels that her life is over if she has to live without Edward. This is the least developed character I’ve ever read - she has no interests to speak of, barely any friends. The only “skill” she has (until the last book) is that Edward can’t read her mind. I know the books are fun to read, but there are some issues here that parents should be talking to their kids about. Thanks for getting a discussion going!

]]> By: Toni http://insideschools.org/blog/2009/03/31/twilight-comes-too-early/#comment-5669 Toni Wed, 01 Apr 2009 03:18:59 +0000 http://insideschools.org/blog/2009/03/31/twilight-comes-too-early/#comment-5669 My objections to Twilight are not about the sexual content. I find the gender roles and messages about women to be degrading and unflattering. While I know this is fiction, and does not need to be taken seriously, young boys and girls are undeniably influenced by the way in which young men and women are portrayed in even the most unrealistic literature. As long as readers are old enough and informed enough to read Twilight with a grain- or perhaps a gallon- of salt, I think the books are great fun. PS. can't speak on the TV show issue because I never watch TV, but i'm sure there's plenty to criticize :-) My objections to Twilight are not about the sexual content. I find the gender roles and messages about women to be degrading and unflattering. While I know this is fiction, and does not need to be taken seriously, young boys and girls are undeniably influenced by the way in which young men and women are portrayed in even the most unrealistic literature. As long as readers are old enough and informed enough to read Twilight with a grain- or perhaps a gallon- of salt, I think the books are great fun.

PS. can’t speak on the TV show issue because I never watch TV, but i’m sure there’s plenty to criticize :-)

]]> By: gale http://insideschools.org/blog/2009/03/31/twilight-comes-too-early/#comment-5663 gale Tue, 31 Mar 2009 23:14:40 +0000 http://insideschools.org/blog/2009/03/31/twilight-comes-too-early/#comment-5663 First of all, regarding twilight, bella does not threaten to kill herself. Second of all, lighten up! This is a fictional book about fictional characters who (by the way) don't have pre-marital sex. However, I do agree with you about one thing, young children in elementary school should not be reading this book. There are plenty of shows on tv and dvd's that are disgusting and no one seems to critize those. First of all, regarding twilight, bella does not threaten to kill herself. Second of all, lighten up! This is a fictional book about fictional characters who (by the way) don’t have pre-marital sex. However, I do agree with you about one thing, young children in elementary school should not be reading this book. There are plenty of shows on tv and dvd’s that are disgusting and no one seems to critize those.

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