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'm having this dilemma with my 11 year old DD too. I actually hadn't thought about the unhealthy, controling relationship side 😬 I was worried about the violence and quite intense lusting.

No. Because it's misogynist crap.

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

You see it’s the “going over her head” that would worry me. The romance but goes in but without the understanding that the dynamics of that relationship are really unhealthy.

As for the comparison with Wurhering Heights, I agree that the relationship there is also extremely unhealthy. The difference in suitablility in in the “packaging”.

It’s a bit like the difference between a glass of whisky and an alco-pop.

Twilight is the alcopop. Easy to read, modern setting, easily consumed. Before you know if you’ve drunk something really bad for you but that tastes very sweet.

Wuthering Heights is rather less accessible or relatable for your average 11yer old.

Wuthering Heights is also a dangerous relationship model, obsession and obedience all that shite
What it isn’t, is relatable for impressionable girls now, whereas twilight is.

My dd read it when still at primary school. I forget her exact age but would guess at 10. It is trash, but quite enjoyable trash in its way (I read it too, just to know what all the fuss was about). The later books are a bit more grown-up but not really. I found then last one utterly tedious and I am not sure dd even bothered with it. The great advantage of the books is that they are long and repetitive, so your dd will have plenty of time to get bored with the series long before she gets to the frankly ludicrous final volume.

I read it at around 13 years old, possibly wouldn't allow an 11 year old as the other books do have upsetting themes. The movies are 12 I think (at least the first one is) so maybe wait until you can watch it with her then let her read the book?

I’ve never banned a book from my eldest, ever. Bloody hell, he was having to explain Sun Tzu’s The Art of War to me when he was 9. But then all books were open to me too growing up.

I'd let her, the more you say no the more she'll want to read it. I read it at 12, hasn't seriously impacted me in any way and now I re-read it and recognise it for the mildly entertaining piece of shite it is.

Books shouldn’t be banned. Just talk to her about it in a critical analysis kind of manner after and ask her what she thinks about x or y to help her identify the areas to consider herself.

Mine read it at around 11, although not the rest of the series until she was a bit older (not because of me, just lack of interest), she is now at uni and a strong, confident feminist. I don't think it messed with her head or gave her the wrong idea about relationships, at that age I don't honestly think those messages seeped through (to her). She was more interested in the supernatural angle!

It’s harmless mind chewing gum.

It teaches that stalking is romantic. Oh and dangerous driving. It's not harmless. I think talking to her about it is far more sensible than banning it. Teach her some critical thinking.

The ‘Twilight’ series is heavily and consciously based on literary Romantic fiction, for example, Wuthering Heights’ and even ‘Sense and Sensibility’. ‘Romeo and Juliet’ is also referenced in a later book. The convention of a woman overwhelmed by a powerful, Romantic man is followed though Bella is made powerful herself as the series continues. It deals with some interesting philosophical, ethical, religious and ethnic issues. It portrays a battle of good and evil but one which is politically incorrect as the vampire family heroes are essentially good but kill their enemies and act above the human law.

Whether it is suitable for a younger girl probably depends on the maturity of the child as there are some very gruesome scenes. I would have loved it but I was an avid reader of books written for adults and these need a ‘snowflake’ alert.

I would say better reading than not reading but I realise I will be shot down in flames. The books came out when my own DD was fifteen and she devoured them and recommended them to me.

I honestly think they are harmless for an 11yo girl to read. I think many of the responses are OTT as kids do not see things like adults. MN is definitely not the place to ask stuff like this, use your own judgement over it or even let your DD start reading it and decide for herself. It is written for young teens anyway so not much older than her. There is nothing in there that will cause anything too upsetting. And FFS the wolf grooming a baby, that is ridiculous.

I disagree that it teaches anything, it is a piece of fiction. I would hope by 11 my child could understand that. DS (12) read hunger games by 11, loved them but he does understand it's not real so we're all good.

@ZanyMobster, I am glad you have just posted that. My DD turned 11 last week. She got hunger games series from her Auntie and Uncle. I was wondering if it is too old for her, her Auntie actually wasn't sure either, but her Uncle thinks she would really enjoy it. Before I allowed her to start reading it, I gave her a brief of the story line with no spoilers. She said she wanted to go ahead and read. So far she is really enjoying it and is taking any opportunity to read. I am still unsure.
I am glad of your post as I feel easier letting my 11 year old read it.

I read them as a tween, and I definitely internalised some of the misogyny, I had two absolutely awful (older, emotionally unavailable, manipulative) boyfriends in my later teens. The forbidden aspect of the relationship is pushed as the most appealing thing which is dangerous when you think about the potential to frame grooming as romantic. But my DM wasn't reading alongside me, I think as long as you make your daughter aware that Bella and Edwards relationship is deeply toxic then hopefully she will be mature enough to deal with the themes.

I read them with DD, discussing it as we went, talking about why the idea of giving up control is so appealing, asking would you really like some boy telling you when to eat... you hate it when I do that, etc. And I think it did help her recognise when she then got into a controlling relationship. Didn’t help her avoid it altogether, alas. I got two sets and we firmed our own mini book club!

I'd let her read them if tbh. I don't believe in censoring what kids read and if she's told she can't read Twishite, it might just make it more attractive to her. Go on, let her read the drivel and then tell her about Flowers In The Attic.

I think kids are able to understand more than many of you give credit for. I read all sorts as a child and remember thinking there is no way I would want someone like that in RL. However I loved the fantasy of it all too. I am the same as an adult. The beauty of books and films is that it is not reality and we can learn from it or just plain enjoy if we want. I don't like this idea of censoring everything all the time, if MN had it's way then Grease, Dirty Dancing, Pretty Woman and the likes would all be banned till we're 30. Instead normal sensible kids and adults have a normal grip on reality and take them for what they are.

Hunger Games is a bit freaky at the end but I warned DS of the dogs first so he was informed and could decide to read or not.