Sunday

Debate Time: The 'S' Word!

This is a topic many of us as Teen Bloggers decide to avoid and I admit, I thought about this a lot before making the choice to write this post. Sex is a topic many of us seem to avoid in conversation as let's admit it: it makes everyone feel uncomfortable. I find, it's just as uncomfortable when that type of scene just appears in a book when it's un-needed. But, I guess if I'm writing this post it shows young people are mature enough to have some sex-content in their novels. But please, not too much detail!
 
I think the whole discussion surrounding 'explicit content' is the fact on whether we are too young to be introduced to what is seen to be an adult subject. Are we? I think in our society it shouldn't be sugar-coated, but it is. And it shouldn't be made glamorous, but it is. I mean, there's an image at the moment that you're not cool unless you have a boyfriend/girlfriend. Where did that come from?  The word 'sex' always seems to be whispered. Even when discussing this subject with fellow bloggers on twitter we used private messages. Although, isn't it important to show that sex can be talked about openly and through books, is there a chance that the number of teen pregnancies will be reduced? Books are talked about so, isn't it important that meaningful topics are put into them?
 
This argument could also highlight the amount of graphic violence we read. Isn't graphic violence an adult topic but something that is never simply avoided in novels? For some reason we can read books where people are constantly fighting - The Hunger Games is a great example, showing how popular it has become - but, when it comes to sex it has to be avoided?
 
Of course, I don't want to be reading detailed, over-the-top romantic gestures. I think Stephanie Meyer sets a great example when it comes to quite a 'rocky-terrain'. She gives us enough information for us to imply what is happening but doesn't go into the detail. That introduces us to this topic without making it partically glamorous and adding in humour when Edward's strength breaks the bed structure. This is what teenagers need. The fact that sex is not something to be avoided nor, glammed-up as let's face it: there is that pressure to have sex at a young age. I almost forgot to mention a small book known as 'The Fault in Our Stars' another book that I feel is the right way to handle this topic. It's there, but is written for our age. And this is still a fantastic novel.  
 
As a YA Blogger, I've also been offered books from an adult genre to read where I have found explicit content with no warning. Although adult, should they're still be a warning showing that there is that type of content in the novel? In many ways, I think the fact it is an adult book could give you a hint to what is inside but, in a society where we seem to be hidden from so much, you never know what could make a novel adult. In my opinion an adult read could be something with: strong violence or language, extreme threat or explicit content. Especially when offering young bloggers the chance to read adult books, I think there should be a mention of what classifies them as adult. I recently picked up 'The Arrivals' by Melissa Marr where I found some really strong sex content which I was never told would be in the novel. I ended up skipping those pages, as in many ways, there are limits.
 
You mentioned the 'S' word. How a conversation can change.
Then there is the small fact of adding warnings. Maybe that would be the right thing to do. A small label on the back reading, "Some sex content" as then when someone complains about the amount of explicit content in their YA novel, you can point out that they had a choice on whether or not to read it. Is this the right way to go? I hope it doesn't come to this but when offering adult review copies to YA bloggers, I think it would be a good idea.  
 
Personally, I don't think sex should be avoided. Nor do I think we should be afraid of shouting out the 's' word for everyone to hear because, whenever sex is brought up everyone feels inclined to change the topic. At some point, we are going to be adults thrown out into the world and I'm sure everything will stop being glossed over then. There can clearly be too much detail as our ages definitely need to be taken into account. This also can't become a trend where every Young Adult romance contains it like recently love-triangles seem to be everywhere. As really, that just encourages things. But, publishers, don't be afraid to challenge us. Don't be afraid to write about the real-world, not all the time, but sometimes. We need that. We need reality.
 
Do you think there should be sex-content in YA? If so, how much?
Do you agree with me when I say we need it sometimes, just not all the time?

Thank you to Helen Douglas and all the bloggers on Twitter for helping me out when debating on whether or not to write this post!
 

14 comments:

  1. Fantastic post! Have you read Anatomy of a Boyfriend by Daria Snadowsky? I reviewed it a few days ago and...that was just pure sex. -_- Waaaaay too graphic.

    I completely agree with everything you said. And I'm loving the gif! xD

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    1. Thank you so much, Amber! I haven't read it and probably won't be either. I prefer a strong storyline and characters.

      I'm so happy you love the GIF - I had to throw one in! :)

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  2. I actually think including sex in books can make the novel realistic (depending on the age of the characters, of course). As you've said, the rate of teenage pregnancies is quite high at the moment so that means only one thing... Teenagers are having sex. So if that's happening in the real world then I think - if the author handles it well and maturely - it's alright to put it in YA books.

    I recently read a book where the main character done *ahem*a whole lot of stuff*ahem* and it was explained in really explicit detail which I was extremely uncomfortable reading... I felt like I was too young.

    So, yeah, I think sex can be ok in YA books as long as it's handled well. :) Great post!

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    1. I think it can in some ways...but at times it's clear it's been thrown in because people to seem that's what makes a YA novel. You've hit the nail on the head - if they handle it well. I don't mind sex-scenes at times.

      I always feel like I'm too young to be reading some of the stuff in books. I just sit there awkwardly until I decide to skip it.

      Thanks! :)

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  3. I think if sex is a realistic part of the plot development, not added for effect, and is implied rather than graphically described, it's fine to include.

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    1. Thanks for commenting, Erin! I love hearing others' views. :)

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  4. Brilliant discussion post, Amy! You always do such interesting debates :) I think some books are annoying because they glance over it but in a way that basically says "Teenagers are practically 5 year olds. S-s-s-s-ex? GASP! :O" but others handle it maturely. John Green does a perfect job by summing it up in two sentences or whatever, without too much detail but telling us what happens.

    Personally, it doesn't bother me but I get annoyed when it gets really detailed. What's the point in describing every graphic scene?! Gah! In The Fault in Our Stars, the symbolism behind it was to show how caner patients are just like regular people. But graphic stuff?! NOOO! >.<

    Thanks for sharing, Sophie! Love the GIFs!

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    1. Thank you so much, Zoe! I'm so glad you find my debates interesting because I never know how they come across or if I've made any sense! I completely agree with what you've said! I think it's about letting us know what is happening, but without too much detail.

      I had never really thought about the symbolism but what I did love was the Venn Diagram! Lightening he subject up a bit!

      Thanks again, Zoe!

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  5. I know a lot of people are opposed to the idea of content warnings (or, at least, don't see the need for them or understand what the fuss is about), but I personally don't mind at all. I think it could be helpful, and let readers decide for themselves if a book is appropriate for them or not... The only thing I am not so keen on is seeing it on the front cover. I have to admit though, sex scenes only really feel very uncomfortably graphic and gratuitous to me in adult books, and I generally accept that that might be a possibility when I go in. In YA, it hasn't been a huge problem for me. You raise some great points in your post! Thanks for sharing, Sophie! :)

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    1. Content warnings would be really useful. I'd love to have a choice and decide for myself: I think on the back by the bar-code would be perfect.

      Thanks, Zoe! :)

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  6. I'm a huge fan of kissing/sex scenes in books...... but I definitely have my limits. I enjoy some detail... enough to make it feel real and help me to feel more connected to the relationship--- but I'm not okay with graphic content. I feel like a creeper and it just makes me feel.... awkward. Sometimes there just isn't enough or feels cheesy-- think Jennifer E. Smith. Other times there is a bit much for my taste-- think Colleen Hoover (but I adore her books and pretty sure they are NA!!!!!) For me the perfect amount of content would be Katie McGarry or Jennifer L. Armentrout. Enough that it is THERE, but not so much that it leaves nothing to the imagination!

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  7. I don't think sex should be avoided in YA, but I in no way think that there should be much detail about it. Other than for the reader to know that it happened. I think about how long I've been reading and I was always ahead of my age group in reading content. Of course there wasn't really a YA genre when I was a teen, it wasn't really a thing until I was graduated and in university.

    I feel like I'll have to screen what my daughter reads when she's older to make sure there isn't too much detail, say when she's under 15 at least.

    I have to say I was quite horrified when my friend told me that her niece had spoiled the ending to Charlaine Harris' Sookie Stackhouse series for her. I guess she didn't think about it at the time but I asked her how old she was (because I was quite certain that it is NOT a book series she should be reading because of the amount of sexual content). She is 14 and has read a series that is extremely raunchy. Things happened in that series I had never imagined before and I'm 24, so clearly her mom needs to pay better attention to what she's reading. Not that I think there should be an age limit on books, but it is an adult series for a reason. My own child will have to be 16 at least before she's allowed to read a series like that. And then it will depend on her maturity level.

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    1. I agree with this big time....... About 4 years ago I ran an after-school program at a community center. This one girl was 11 at the time--- I keep in touch with her and see what she is reading through facebook and it makes ME feel uncomfortable that she is reading things like that at 15! I don't think she needs to be exposed to graphic sexual details yet. Being a mom to 2 little girls, still really young at this point, but I can only imagine what YA will be like in 10 years! Definitely makes me nervous and I'm sure I will want to screen what they are reading to be sure it is appropriate.

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  8. I agree that it would be really nice to have some sort of labeling explaining the violent, language, and sexual content of a book, and that's why I have tried to incorporate them into my reviews because it's the sort of thing I want to know. Personally I really don't want to read anything with any heavy sexual content, but I do think there are certain issues regarding sex that do need to be addressed in an age-appropriate manner.

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Thank you so much for taking the time to read - and comment on - this blog post! I read and reply to every comment, so feel free to ask any questions and I'll answer!

See you soon!

Sophie Louise