Would you let 11yr old DD read Twilight?

[Okki]

I don't really want her to as I don't think the rest of the series is suitable for her age - once she enjoys a series she likes to read the whole thing. One of her friends has read it and lent it to her saying it was 'amazing'.

I suppose I would but it is utter trash. I would probably talk about the themes in there so she could look at them with a bit of a critical eye!

And I have actually read them so I know they are rubbish! A wolf grooming a baby was a low point 😮

No. It's full of awful life lessons that train girls to expect (and ask for) the worst.

www.psychologytoday.com/gb/blog/snow-white-doesnt-live-here-anymore/201510/why-twilight-is-worse-just-bad-book

www.wired.com/2009/11/twilight-lessons-girls-learn/

Twilight is the most misogynistic pile of mind rotting shite I can think of.

It sends such a damaging and dangerous message to young girls.

I would. There's nothing even remotely explicit in there, just a bit of lusting. The controlling element is probably worth discussing before she starts (e.g. that's not how a healthy relationship should look) but otherwise I think it's pretty harmless*

*Except for the terrible English of course, that felt harmful to my brain

Yes. But I would also lecture her ad nauseum talk to her about it.

I think it’s totally normal to read crap like that at her age and doubt it will do any harm.

The author believes in abstinence so it’s considerably less sexualised than a lot of things in the YA bracket. The main problem is that the core relationship has a lot of signs of an emotionally abusive and coercive relationship but as long as she hasn’t got models of those around her in rl I doubt she will suffer.

I’ve got to say I devoured them as an adult - if you do let her, you’ll definitely not be able to stop her after book 1!

I’m not usually one for banning books but to be honest I’d have serious concerns about an 11 yo’s ability to critically judge some of the dreadful behaviour posed as “romance” in this series.

I’d ask her to wait.

Yes, but it's trashy crap and she'll get that in time.
At her age I'd read all of Virginia Andrews which is far worse.

It’s not the sexual content that’s a worry though, it’s the controlling of a girl by a boy (one considerably older than she is!) and her complete compliance/obedience being touted as normal that is scary.

See you're all more or less saying what I think. But now this friend has lent it to her (after I'd said no) I think she may end up reading it anyway.

I've given her a Georgette Heyer to read instead for now. (The Corinithian).

Some of the content in the last book could be distressing- I'm thinking specifically of the birth scene where Edward essentially performs a c-section with his teeth. There's also a suicide attempt (or at least an ambiguous one) in one of the books but I can't remember which.

I do think the messages the books send about relationships are harmful, but this is true of a lot of books and as she gets to this age, I don't think you can filter out every bad relationship.

I'd probably consider them for a mature 11 year old- but equally I can see why you wouldn't want to let her read them.

It’s not a very good book and the later ones are a bit worse.

It’s a shame to waste time on bad books (I know I have because I’ve read them).

Does she want suggestions on books to read?

She would probably give up after a couple of chapters or read it all but not really understand it.

I’m a pretty strict parent but I haven’t found it possible to stop my kids reading things that are available in teen section of local/school libraries. What I would do if my 11 year old came home with twilight is read it side by side (not literally) and then go out for ice-cream or whatever and discuss each section.

If you think she’ll read it anyway as I would have at her age, maybe a chat about how skewed the “ideals” and description of relationships is?

The thought of any young girl thinking that control and compliance is normal is chilling.

They’re bloody awful but I’ve read all of them so who’s the real loser - I prob would let her read them but discuss them with her also. It’s actually a good opportunity to talk about relationships - as much as I agree that the ‘message’ is terribly retrograde I’ve also read some interesting analysis of Bella as an ‘everywoman’ who’s desire to be a wife and mother is more representative of most women’s lives than other YA books. Not saying I completely agree with it but it’s all good to talk about.

If anyone’s interested in everywoman Bella... www.thehairpin.com/2011/11/our-bella-ourselves/

I'll talk to her first about it and properly explain why I don't want her to read it. Take it from there.

I've already made her take one book back to the school library this week as it was totally unsuitable for her age (profanity and racial violence), though would be a brilliant book in 3/4 years for her to read.

Pingu passive is the perfect word for Bella!

Also. That article makes a fair point, if it’s vampires your DD is after but without the feeble and compliant woman, Buffy is a much better option. Aye I’m biased, but still.

I came here about to tell you you were being U and it's just a silly book then I saw the comment about the wolf and the baby and was like Oh God! THAT! That and everything about it is gross!

The whole book series in fact sends a message that men CHOOSE a woman and the woman should be grateful and subservient that they were CHOSEN

There's lots of books in that teen zone with a much better message

Best way to tell if you're ok with it and OK for your 11 yo? Give it a read

@PawneeParksDept I have read all the books but as an reasonably unimpressionable 35 year old. I enjoyed them but I don't want DD reading them yet.

And just found out her friend has read all of them.

Humph- maybe most of it will go over her head.

It’s harmless mind chewing gum. Although one of my friends got so into she got offended when Bella kissed Jacob. I got texts along the line of ‘what? What have I just read, she better not be....hussy!’ And she was serious.

I would, they’re enjoyable page turners.

Agree with pps it’d be worth discussing the relationship dynamic but frankly that’s true for a lot of fiction. Wuthering Heights anyone?

I explained why I didn't want her to read it yet - unhealthy relationship etc. So her response was now that I had made her aware of the dynamic of an unhealthy teenage relationship could she still read it so she can see for herself what not to accept in the future. Think I'm going to let her read it