I had a very interesting conversation with a couple of moms a few days ago. They seemed to be totally utterly horrified that I allow my daughter to read a variety of books including the Twilight series.
My daughter is in 6th grade. She's a very bright munchkin, and it is very hard to find books that hold her interest. She is currently reading Marley & Me by John Grogan. She is really enjoying it. I have read it, and we discuss various points in the book. We have had a tough time finding books that have words she doesn't recognize in books that are written for her age level (a requirement of her teacher).
With the Twilight series, we have discussed the more mature themes in the books. We have also talked about how I feel that the plot shows how abusive relationships can begin with one partner separating the other from family and friends. Yes, this is mature stuff. But, rather than hide the 'badness' in the world, I'd rather talk about it and identify it for what it is. Do we talk about EVERYTHING yet, well no. But, we are talking about a lot. If I get questions from my munchkins than I give mature detailed honest answers.
Along a similar theme, I just saw a news bit on ABC's Good Morning America about a mom who takes her 9 year old to Victoria's Secret to buy underwear because it's 'pretty'. The backlash against her seems really loud and strong. Hmmm..... The undies I see in there that would fit a child look just like what I see at Justice (a store aimed at tweens). They also look like the colorful cute cotton Calvin Klein ones I have seen at big department stores. I've bought the Calvin Klein ones; I've bought undies at Justice for my Munchkin #2. Would I take my daughter into a Victoria's Secret at this point? If she asked, I would. But, we would talk about the pictures in the store. We'd talk about what they are marketing in addition to undies. Munchkin #2 walked by a big name lingerie type store in the mall one time and proclaimed, "That place looks weird." We talked about it. Why did she think it looked weird? How did I feel about it? How does a store like that mesh or not mesh with our family's values? As a parent, I deeply believe that the worst thing we can do is to ignore what makes us uncomfortable. Because I can pretty much guarantee if it's making us uncomfortable our kids are thinking about it and likely talking about it with their friends.
Which brings me to the next point. Why don't we hear about stuff like this with boys? Nobody talks about the insanely artificial looking men we see in pop culture. Nobody talks about the imagery of women around men where the women are 'eye candy'. Is anyone talking about how the imagery of debasing women to the level of 'eye candy' is affecting our boys? Maybe it's time to talk about how this stuff affects boys as well.
Peace.
My daughter is in 6th grade. She's a very bright munchkin, and it is very hard to find books that hold her interest. She is currently reading Marley & Me by John Grogan. She is really enjoying it. I have read it, and we discuss various points in the book. We have had a tough time finding books that have words she doesn't recognize in books that are written for her age level (a requirement of her teacher).
With the Twilight series, we have discussed the more mature themes in the books. We have also talked about how I feel that the plot shows how abusive relationships can begin with one partner separating the other from family and friends. Yes, this is mature stuff. But, rather than hide the 'badness' in the world, I'd rather talk about it and identify it for what it is. Do we talk about EVERYTHING yet, well no. But, we are talking about a lot. If I get questions from my munchkins than I give mature detailed honest answers.
Along a similar theme, I just saw a news bit on ABC's Good Morning America about a mom who takes her 9 year old to Victoria's Secret to buy underwear because it's 'pretty'. The backlash against her seems really loud and strong. Hmmm..... The undies I see in there that would fit a child look just like what I see at Justice (a store aimed at tweens). They also look like the colorful cute cotton Calvin Klein ones I have seen at big department stores. I've bought the Calvin Klein ones; I've bought undies at Justice for my Munchkin #2. Would I take my daughter into a Victoria's Secret at this point? If she asked, I would. But, we would talk about the pictures in the store. We'd talk about what they are marketing in addition to undies. Munchkin #2 walked by a big name lingerie type store in the mall one time and proclaimed, "That place looks weird." We talked about it. Why did she think it looked weird? How did I feel about it? How does a store like that mesh or not mesh with our family's values? As a parent, I deeply believe that the worst thing we can do is to ignore what makes us uncomfortable. Because I can pretty much guarantee if it's making us uncomfortable our kids are thinking about it and likely talking about it with their friends.
Which brings me to the next point. Why don't we hear about stuff like this with boys? Nobody talks about the insanely artificial looking men we see in pop culture. Nobody talks about the imagery of women around men where the women are 'eye candy'. Is anyone talking about how the imagery of debasing women to the level of 'eye candy' is affecting our boys? Maybe it's time to talk about how this stuff affects boys as well.
Peace.
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Be peaceful and respectful.