Comments on: Twilight: Final thoughts and links

By: Monica Brand

Monica Brand — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 20:07:29 +0000

Teens and exploring subjects until they loose interest – ah, Lisa! You ARE an unschooler, aren’t you?

You should read the books (I know what you mean about consumed by the story). I haven’t seen the movies. I suspect the movie versions leave out a lot of the obsessiveness of Bella and Edwards’ relationship.

By: Lisa

Lisa — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 19:31:41 +0000

Very true about the girls who don’t have guidance. I never think about them, I admit. And the pun was really just coincidence, I’m not clever enough to come up with that on my own I’ve seen the movies but I haven’t read the books because I have a tendency to get “into” fiction. I don’t like feeling sucked in by it (or consumed, to avoid another cheesy pun) I think teens’ tendency to get consumed by things can be an asset, delving fully into a subject is a sign of passion, however temporarily misplaced. The craze won’t last forever and they will move on, looking back to see how silly it was that they were so “into it.” Live & learn. The teens (and the grown-ups) will grow out of it eventually, I don’t think it’s much to be concerned about.
.-= Lisa´s last blog ..An open letter to my 13 and 16 yr old daughters =-.

By: Karyn

Karyn — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 18:25:45 +0000

I also can take a hint

I do agree with you. There is much in the books that we wouldn’t want our daughters to emulate… not least of which is sneaking out at night or having boys sneak in, lying, and of course, seeking to have sex. Most of that can be discussed with our daughters.

Actually, my daughter didn’t care for the series and she enjoys making fun of it. But I believe one of the greatest dangers of the series is in it’s obsessive nature. Many teens and adult women have become very obsessed with it. Are women comparing their husbands with Edward and now stirring up discontent? Are teens ignoring real life to obsess over Twilight and what Team they are on? I suppose it’s not uncommon for teen girls to obsess over celebrities, but adults should know better!

Personally, I enjoyed the series. I read them before they became very popular, and I started the first one to decide if it was appropriate for my then-13 year-old daughter. Maybe it was because I liked Twilight that she didn’t Now I’m almost embarrassed to admit I read them! I feel like a “teeny-bopper” (how’s that for an old-school word?).

I’m with you on 10-12 being too young. And I agree that we can do better with our daughters!

By: Monica Brand

Monica Brand — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 18:13:16 +0000

Sucks? Lisa, I love your vampire pun.

No, I don’t expect reading four fiction books to undue years of good parenting. What of the young ladies with NO good influence who read of Bella? My concern is for them.

By: Victoria

Victoria — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 18:04:14 +0000

Purity is not old fashioned! Word.

By: Lisa

Lisa — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 18:01:50 +0000

I think kids are exposed to a lot of different values and perspectives in their lives and to expect one fictional book to be responsible for teaching girls virtuous behavior is a stretch. Parents who model virtuous behavior and have healthy relationships with their daughters, where communication & honesty reign, won't likely find their daughters imitating the character's bad decisions. More likely, they will learn that one bad decision can snowball into a situation that sucks. .-= Lisa´s last blog ..An open letter to my 13 and 16 yr old daughters =-.

By: Jennifer, Snapshot

Jennifer, Snapshot — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 18:01:17 +0000

I can take a hint via twitter!! Thanks for the link about Touched by a Vampire. It’s a great companion.

I haven’t read the series, but appreciate your thoughts.
.-= Jennifer, Snapshot´s last blog ..I Want to be Wooed =-.