Onto today's topic.
Sex in Young-Adult books
So recently I read a book called The Infinite Moment of Us by Lauren Myracle. I found this book in the Young-Adult isle at my local book store and I decided to pick up a copy. I was absolutely shocked when the two main characters had sex in the book. I'm not talking about how Bella and Edward had sex in Breaking Dawn where they hinted at it but Stephanie actually didn't write about it. This was the opposite, I'm talking crazy details here, from beginning to end. Like and adult novel. I was sure this must have been a mistake and there's no way that this book could be for young adults, but after checking on Goodreads, my worst nightmare was confirmed that this was meant for teens to read.
It's very obvious to society that teens and pre-teens are becoming more sexual. Not only are they dressing more maturely, but they're also having intercourse much much sooner. I still consider myself a young-adult, but even I can tell the difference. When I was in grade 6 all the girls dressed like boys, with those big clunky skater shoes and oversized hoodies. Now when I walk by my old school, I see all the little kids wearing crop tops and short shorts. And the shocking thing is that I was in grade 6, only 6 years ago. I know trends change fast but going from hiding under your clothes to not wearing any... Damn.
In my opinion, I feel like the media is telling kids that its okay to dress this way and be sexually active. I even expect this from music videos and movies now. What I didn't expect is to find this problem even in books. Books have always been that one place where I could escape this crazy trend, and focus on the adventure in the story. I feel like romance is definitely necessary in books, but sex is a little too much. We all love those little romances, like Katniss and Peeta or Tris and Four, but we never even hear about them having sex. I don't know about you, but to me it would ruin the book if Katniss and Peeta started getting it on by the beach in the quarter quell. Now that would be weird and unnecessary.
Anyways, what I'm trying to get at is, sex shouldn't be presented in young-adult books. Not only are we teaching the younger generation that its okay to do, but its also something that doesn't need to be included, and could easily ruin a good book.
What do you guys think? Do you think it's okay if Young Adult books have detailed sex in them, and and they should follow society, or that its a bad thing?
Leave a comment with your opinion below,
Thanks for reading.
What a segment to start. I love that you started with this topic. I agree! YA should be clean and if the characters do have sex then it should be left to the imagination and only hinted at. Sex is a big deal and it is made out as something not. Books should be the one safe place teens can go without having to feel like they are an adult. Let them be teens! Thanks for the great topic!! If it's okay I might add this as my Tuesday's Topic but include your link for them to go to. Thanks for starting this. Can't wait to see what other topics you come up with.
ReplyDeleteThanks Heather! I'm glad you agree. And of course its okay :)
DeleteI'm honored!
Wow that's actually a good topic. I totally agree with you, as far as I go, I do have encountered a few sex scenes in ya books but they were not detailed. It was not that obvious... and as a teenager too, I prefer YA to be just YA, books that are not meant for those who wanted detailed and long hot and steamy sex scenes (even though I do read NA and Adult, sometimes I just wanted to read something pure for teens ya'know?). I thought that book you mentioned above should at least be considered New Adult or even Adult if they put those details in it.
ReplyDeleteYeah I know, I was sure that I made a mistake and this was actually a NA book or something but it wasn't, which I found really weird. And yeah I feel like that amount of detail is perfect for NA and Adult books, which I do read occasionally, but they shouldn't be present in books for little kids. SMH
DeleteI found your discussion through Heather!
ReplyDeleteI completely agree that sex should not be graphic or presented that much in YA. I think it should be hinted at when necessary but for it to be written in detail is too much. I think the before part (consent, talking about it with your partnet ) especially like in My Life Next Door, can be healthy and beneficial in some ways!
Great discussion & thanks for sharing! :)
Alex @ The Shelf Diaries
Thanks for checking out both of our topics!! You're amazing! Glad to have you on our side.
DeleteI completely agree! I have voiced my opinion on this before and was accused of censorship. Hello! It's not censorship it's content awareness for consumers. We shouldn't have to guess or worry about the content that we read. I don't understand why publishers can't just add a warning or content information to blurb area or the inside of the book. I think it would show a degree of care for the readers that isn't shown now.
ReplyDeleteOMG YES!! They should definitely give a warning. Even on the back or something so that when someone picks up they know what they're getting into. Brilliant!!
DeleteThanks for the comment Ginny.
I'm not comfortable with graphic sex...not even in adult books. I don't like to peep through keyholes, so to speak. But that's just me. You have a point about YA books though. When it comes to them, while it would be unrealistic to leave sex out completely, I agree that we don't need full descriptions. I don't know if books can encourage teens to become more sexual than they already are...but better stay on the safe side :).
ReplyDeleteIt's interesting (and a little scary) that you can already see the change only 6 years out of 6th grade O_O.
BTW, I do like the name of your feature :).