I think a lot of kids reading Twilight know it isn't great world literature or anything. And probably most of the ones who are obsessed with it will grow out of it, and possibly be a little embarrassed by their fervor when they look back five or ten years later.
My BFF's daughter was TOTALLY OBSESSED with Twilight when she was 12. She talked about it constantly and made references to it as if it were real. Now? Less than two years later, she shrieks with indignation at the notion that she ever liked those silly books. But she still reads YA horror and vampire fiction voraciously, reads many books on an adult level (vetted by her mom first), and her prize possession is her laptop - with no internet connection - that's solely for her to write her own horror/romance stories on. So overall, I think Twilight had a real positive effect on the kid.
OTOH, the fact that my BFF likes the books makes me think I need to go rescue her from whoever is brainwashing her, because there's clearly some Stockholm thing going on there.
I think you need to let kids make their choices and not get all judgey on them. My daughter likes Justin Bieber. So what? She's at the age, you know?
I think you need to let kids make their choices and not get all judgey on them
I think some choices kids make are important. I don't see any real ramifications about liking Justin Bieber, but if someone you're responsible for thinks the Edward/Bella relationship is a template for normal or optimal behaviour, I think having an in depth discussion with them about it isn't out of line.
But there might be something I don't know about Justin Bieber.
Eh, when I was 12 I thought Time Enough For Love was a template for optimal behavior. I grew out of it.
My favourite mocking summary of the book(s) on LJ is this one.
And the one advantage to my mom not liking genre at all is that I don't have to worry about her getting into Twilight. eek.
Eh, when I was 12 I thought Time Enough For Love was a template for optimal behavior. I grew out of it.
And there are adults that still think it's optimal. The idea of setting realistic goals with your kid--is that helicopter parenting? What am I missing?
My boss' daughter was not a big reader, but really liked the Twilight books. So, since she likes supernatural teen romance, I convinced my boss to give her our Amy's "Cold Kiss" for Christmas. I'm waiting anxiously for a report, she's reading it now
The idea of setting realistic goals with your kid--is that helicopter parenting? What am I missing?
I think talking to your kids about what they're reading is always a good idea, but I disagree with the implication that liking Twilight is some kind of huge red flag.
I disagree with the implication that liking Twilight is some kind of huge red flag
Agreed. Anecdotal evidence: my daughter was 13 or 14 when Twilight came out,target audience all the way. She was in LOVE with them. Talked about them all the time, as did all her friends. By the time Breaking Dawn came out, she and most of her friends were mocking them, not only for the Bella/Edward dysfunctional relationship but for the poor writing too. She read half of Eclipse and then put it in the Goodwill pile, and refused to go anywhere near Breaking Dawn - although she loved Cleolinda's recaps. There's the difference between 13/14 and 17/18. She has clearly defined ideas about relationships now at 20 (as her boyfriend found out early in their relationship, she takes no crap)
