To let my 16 year old read this book?

[rivver]

So my 16 year old dd is currently reading slash’s autobiography, I understand it includes everything he and Guns n’ Roses got up to, she keeps telling me all the in and outs of what she’s reading. She’s horrified as to what he got up to and how he is still alive today but finds the book so interesting, I don’t think it’s an inappropriate book to read, she’s nearly 17.

Yesterday my sister and mum came over for my youngest dd birthday, and my dd told her what book she’s reading. Today I received a text from my mum saying how her and my sister think it’s disgusting that I’m letting her read the book, I have no control, I’m allowing her to know about the ‘dark world’, and that I’m encouraging her to do drugs? I haven’t replied as I’m baffled as to why she’s reacted so badly. I know it’s a book that explicitly tells you what he did and that it isn’t exactly nice but she’s old enough to know that’s wrong, do I need to seriously stop her from reading it? Or is my mum overreacting?

Your mum is over reacting.

She's 16 not 6. She can probably do most of it legally herself, though she might need an antibacterial wipe after.

I read a James Herbert book at that age... had explicit detail of sex and fantasies etc.

She would watch worse In a 15 rated movie.

I also think your mum is massively overreacting. Surely at 16-17 you're allowed to read what you want? 🤔

I think by 16 you can read what you want.
She could legally get married at that age!

Text your mum 'compared with what I was reading at 16 it's very tame'

A stunning overreaction - he is 16!

I was reading all kinds by 11/12

Overreacting. I was an avid reader of all sorts at that age, most of which my mum never knew about. I have managed to grow up without ever taking drugs.

Mine's reading Mein Kampf. I don't censor my 16yo's reading.

From the sounds of it, the book is having the opposite effect and is keeping her anti-drug use.
I’ve never read the book, but I think your mum is over reacting. What age would she deem acceptable?

Bloody hell - you should see what I read at that age. All sorts - lots of horror and violence.

Anyway, Judy Blume says you shouldn't censor what your children read.

Surely the take home message will be that it’s better to be clean, anyway? Presuming it’s a recent autobiography.

Let her read what she wants! If she likes that, she should read The Dirt by Motley Crue

Another saying total overreaction! I have a 16 nearly 17 year old - I no longer police what he reads or watches! He knows he can read or watch what he feels comfortable with. I like the sound of that book myself and will look it up - used to love GnR back in the day!!!

You are definitely not unreasonable. I have always allowed my two to read pretty much anything they like as I am just so bloody grateful when they want to read. My 12 year old just read Call Me By Your Name and Tweak (both inspired by a fairly substantial Timothée Chalamet obsession).

I was reading anything and everything at 11. My Mother was completely relaxed about things like that but she did get a censorious telephone call from my strict Aunt once who had picked up my brother's reading material, a book called Insemenoid (about rampant aliens trying to plant their seed in the human race). I think he was 12 at the time. Still makes us chuckle. My Mum has no clue what it was about.

At 16 they can read whatever they like and don't need permission. Be thankful they are reading at all! Your mum and sister are being rediculously precious.

Your mum is right. Sheltering teens from the reality of the world has always been the correct thing to do and has never ever led to problems

I remember sitting on the bathroom floor reading an article in the Sunday Times about drug taking we moved from that house when I was 9 so it was before than my reading material as wide and varied

Highonthehill was it coldheart canyon?

It's fine op. Don't censor reading

Good grief. My DC1 is 16 and reads incessantly (to my immense delight). I would not be very grateful for anyone sticking their oar in. If one's reading matter is anything to go by, he will become a French existentialist. Given that he is definitely not French, I don't think that's any more likely than your DS becoming a druggie as a result of his reading matter, OP.

I remember reading William Burroughs during Latin lessons with one of my friends (so must have been 14-15). Neither of us became gay or a drug addict as a result.

Tell her to read Anthony Kiedis autobiography next- how that guy is still alive is a mystery

How could you stop her? Best she has good relationship with you where she can discuss things

YANBU your mum is totally nuts. Would she object to your daughter reading classics like Steppenwolf, Clockwork Orange, Ulysses.... etc etc depictions of violence, sex and recreational drug use... but it's okay because it's from the past?
My nan was like this. Ripped my copy of 'The Outsider' apart because it was 'disgusting'.....

Imo it's disgusting to stop a teenager reading anything they want to read.

She’s 16, far too old to be told what she can and can’t read.

I wouldn’t even tell the 13yo what she can and can’t read. If I was familiar with a book I
might say I don’t think she will like it, but that’s all unless she asks why. If she doesn’t like it she can put the book down.

I’d let her watch anything she wanted to at home too, it helps that she’d want me to watch it with her if she’s not sure about it.

We have always talked about anything and everything. I imagine that book would give us plenty to chew on.

She’s still a very sweet child, quite young in her preferences and stuff (long may it last). Educating her, allowing her to discuss sex, drugs, porn etc doesn’t seem to have sent her off the rails, quite the opposite.

My mum would be the same as your Mum. Nothing ignoring won’t fix 🤣

I borrowed Irvine Welsh’s Ecstasy at about 14. I read Trainspotting too not long after. I didn’t turn into a drug addict. I’m not sure you can police her reading at 16.