NMAmy
Can speak food in German
- Joined
- Oct 25, 2000
- Messages
- 15,229
In regards to the female lead character, I think it's sad that people have a problem with a character that's not the modern, gung-ho, manly woman. Why CAN'T she be weak? There ARE weak women in the world, OMG!
I have a problem with it because the book is marketed to teenage girls. I don't want my teen dd to think that the whole world revolves around a boy. Bella really annoyed the heck out of me mainly because when Edward left, she moped around and flirted with suicide until another boy came along. It romanticizes the idea that without a boy in your life, it's really not worth living. And I have raised my dd to be a strong young woman with her own opinions and a strong sense of self as I was raised. I don't consider that being "manly." I think I need to give her the tools to take care of herself--not waiting around for some man to rescue her.
So, yes, as a cautionary tale for teens, I guess it's ok--more of a guide how NOT to go through life. But I can't help thinking there are a lot of teen girls whose mothers may not have read the books and can't give a different perspective to their daughters. I really am happy that these books may be getting kids to read for pleasure. But I hate the message they send.
