Question: Is Young Adult Fiction too dark these days?
Today we discussed an article from the Wall Street Journal about Young Adult Fiction. The author argues that YA Fiction has become too dark, that it is unnecessarily graphic, that its topics are too mature, etc. We discussed this as a class in two big groups. This is your chance to carefully express what YOU think individually regarding this issue.
Question: Is Young Adult Fiction too dark these days?
26 Comments
Sophie E
9/9/2011 06:29:46 am
It is my opinion that too many Young Adult books these days deal with the "darker" areas of life. Although it is fine to have a mix of dark books and lighter books, it is not beneficial to society to have many teens only reading the dark books, as is now very common. Also, many younger children are reading YA fiction and learning about concepts that are too advanced for some of that age group. Ultimately, many of the ideas found in these books should be explained to children by their parents, and not by fictional characters who may dramatizes events or issues. I am of the opinion that Young Adult Fiction as a whole is too dark these days, but that it is fine to have a mixture of dark and light books to make a balanced "reading diet."
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Rochelle Yang
9/9/2011 08:05:47 am
In class today, I strongly opposed this idea of 'dark' Young Adult fiction. While it's true that sooner or later, children and teenagers will be exposed to the less brighter side of this world, it's not necessary-or healthy-for all fiction books to be loaded with depressing information about this world. Many of the individuals who read young adult fiction can have their subconsciousness affected by these books. That's not to say they will commit murder or anything drastic, but reading too many dark, tragic books may eventually lead to a decline in the child's mental state. Children and teenagers can also get the wrong idea from dark YA novels. The ideas presented in the story are not necessarily accurate, considering the author most likely alters and amplifies various minor or untrue details to add a bit more 'twist' to the plot. Variations like this are not only more likely then not incorrect, but they also instigate the wrong ideas into the reader's mind. Exaggerated paranoia may be a result, and children should keep far away from these books. Of course, that's not to say that readers should avoid YA altogether, but the reader shouldn't inhale too many young author books packed with darkness, violence, and generally depressing issues.
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Dylan C
9/9/2011 10:02:58 am
To be truthful, it is hard to say whether Young Adult fiction is too dark these days. However, before Young Adult books were dark like they are today, parents would make their children aware of the fact of how dark reality can be. Now days, parents are afraid to expose their kids to how dark the world can be out there. Instead, young adults learn through dark Young Adult books how dark reality is. It would also be untrue that Young Adults are learning every single thing there is to know about reality through these books. For one thing, nearly all Young Adult books that are dark always have happy endings. Reality is always dark and for the most part, doesn't have happy endings. Also, if there is no dark Young Adults books, then a young adult these days would be in for a suprise about what reality really is these days once they leave college. I don't necessarily encourage all Young Adults fiction to be dark and violent, but I would prefer to be aware of the true nature of reality.
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Holly S
9/10/2011 12:57:51 am
In class on Friday, my opinion was that young adult fiction was too dark and completely taking over the young adult section. After our debate, and now that I think about it more, I realize that I do not agree with this article, whatsoever. You have the choice to read whatever books you want, there are different genres for everyone. Just because there are novels available that are dark, extremely graphic, and filled with profanity that does not mean that you have to read it! Another point of mine is that children will be exposed to this kind of darkness no matter what. The topics of these stories are accesible to everyone and they are not filtered. For instance, the nightly news could be more violent then a twilight novel on certain nights. My last reasoning is for kids that are hurting with endless trouble in their lives, these books let them know that there is a light at the end of the tunnel. That they can get through it just like the main characters do in some books.
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Jimmy Donoghue
9/10/2011 03:28:26 am
I think that young adult fiction hasn’t gotten too dark for its readers. Sure it’s darker and contains more mature themes than it used to but I don’t see anything wrong with it. I guarantee that some of the the parents who think todays books are too dark let their kids play games like Call of Duty. Some of the movies teenagers in our age range watch are not even meant for our age, but most people see nothing wrong with it. Books like the Hunger Games are meant for our age yet people are complaining they are inappropriate for us. Librarians approve them and say they are age-appropriate, that is an opinion that can be trusted. Children are going to be exposed to this eventually, so I think it is better to be exposed to these mature themes in small doses through reading. If I were a parent I would want my child to be first exposed to violence through reading rather than movies, books, or school. Also its been proven that reading is good for children, so if it takes semi-violent books to keep kids reading, then I say that books like the Hunger Games are alright. The reason that books have had to become more suspenseful is because the book industry has had to compete with video games. In the end, it is always the parent’s decision what their kids can and can’t read. I think the recent books are appropriate for the age they are meant for. In conclusion, I think that young adult fiction has become a little dark and mature but these themes have not been overdone.
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Samuel Yin
9/10/2011 05:38:32 am
To me it seems that young adult fiction has not gotten too dark for children yet. I would rather have my kids learning about it in a book than having them out on the street seeing and experiencing it for themselves. But a book like Hunger Games would be better for a kid to read because there is little swearing and adult content. Books almost always have a good ending compared to real life situations. I would like it more if I gave my child a book and told them to expect it rather than he/she could be on the internet and see things they shouldn't. Overall I think that young adult fiction hasn't become too dark yet.
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David Yin
9/10/2011 06:43:15 am
I think that young adult fiction is not too dark for the "young adults" that read it. They will need to know about the things in the world eventually and you cannot keep them away from that knowledge forever. Some of those stories can be compared to situations some kids have and it can help them by the way how the characters have a "happy ending".You can choose whether to read those books or read other books that in the young adult section that are less violent, less graphic, and have less profanity. In the end, I think that young adult fiction has had a little more adult content but not too dark for the readers.
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Anna J
9/10/2011 10:00:34 am
In my opinion regarding dark young adult fiction, I would have to agree, yet kind of disagree. Yes, it has recently been covering deeper and more violent prospects of life. Teens really shouldn't read too much of that because it might leave an emotional impact. Yet I would also say no. Though it is darker, I don't think that it's a really big problem unless the schools are requiring to read them. Authors can write whatever they want, and we have the power to choose what we want to read. It's when we HAVE to read them that I would agree to lay off the graphic nature of Young Adult books. Sure, some more pleasant books for our age group would be nice, though. On a side note, I think it's worse for a kid to play a violent video game and to almost experience it than to read a violent book. The issue there is that you can rate video games (and movies) but you really can't rate a book so kids won't read them. In the end, I would agree that they are definitely getting a little more grotesque, but it's not really that much of a concern unless we are told we have to read them. After all, it is "Young Adult" not "Children's".
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Emily W
9/10/2011 11:50:59 pm
I believe that young adult fiction is starting to become very dark. In class we talked about an article from the wall street journal that stated that young adult fiction is too dark. Although I do agree with this statement, I do not think that it is an issue. Young adults should be able to handle reading dark books. If they have a problem with it or think that it is effecting children's or their own actions then they do not have to read the dark book. Also, in the article it talked about how young adult fiction is effecting children, but it is a young adult book so why are children reading it in the first place? And if someone like this writer feels this strongly about not having children read dark books from the young adult section then her and her children do not have to read it. Although some people have a problem with the dark books in the young adult fiction section, they do not seem to be a major issue at the moment.
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Lia C
9/10/2011 11:53:45 pm
In class on friday there were many good points to both sides, regarding the article if young adult fiction is to dark. My opinion is currently the same as it was on Friday, which is that I disagree with the author of the article, and young adult fiction isn't to dark for teens. I feel this way because everyone can choose what book they read, no one is forcing them to read dark books. Also the author of the article is over exaggerating when they say the whole young adult section of a bookstore is filled completely with dark books. My last point why i don't agree with this article is that teens have to and will eventually find out about the things written in dark books and it is better if they are informed sooner than later, so that they are not completely oblivious to the subject. Authors have the right to write what ever they want. This is why I think that dark young adult books are fine for teenagers to read.
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Adam T
9/11/2011 12:41:57 am
In class on Friday, I agreed with the author of the article that young adult fiction was too dark. However, after hearing arguments from both sides, my opinion has changed. Now I feel that it isn't too dark. Some books in the young adult fiction section may be dark, but there are also many books that do not have dark topics. The reader has the option to read whatever they want, and if the dark books are affecting them, they can simply not read dark books. Also, a lot of the "dark books" can teach young adults very important lessons that some people can relate to. The young adults reading these "dark books" will also most likely learn about these things later in their lives, and it is better that they learn it earlier so they are more aware of it. That is why I think the young adult section has not become too dark.
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Jamie T.
9/11/2011 12:53:23 am
Reading the article in class on Friday, my opinion was strongly against the opinion of the author who said that Young Adult Fiction books are too graphic for teenagers eyes. There were many points discussed for why this is not true. First, the author amplifies, saying that the whole YA Fiction section is filled with books that are extremely graphic and too mature for teens. This is entirely not true. There are many books that are fine for the 'young adults' who don't like graphic novels. I also think that some kids have similar lives to the ones told in these books. These stories are something that teenagers with graphic lives can relate to. Something that says they are not alone in the world. Lastly, I think that if teens don't read about it now, they will eventually learn of it through television or internet. It's everywhere so they are bound to figure it out somehow. This is why I disagree with the author's opinion that Young Adult Fiction books are too graphic for teenagers.
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Beth Feindt- Scott
9/11/2011 03:23:42 am
In class on Friday I disagreed with the author. Although each side had good points, I still disagree. I think that "dark" books are fine to have in a young adult section. The author exaggerated a lot in her article. In my opinion, reading dark stories will not make you a dark person. It's a book written for entertainment, not for you to follow the way they act. The author seems to think our minds are too immature to be exposed to these kind of situations in books. I don't think that is true. You should be exposed to dark things so you can learn about it. I think it's better to hear about these things from a book than school or TV. No matter what, us teenagers are going to hear about the dark things in the world so you might as well let us read them. Lastly, the author acts like every single book in the YA section is dark. This is not true. Sure, some of the books are dark, but a lot of them aren't. If you don't want to read a dark book, you can easily find a more lighthearted book in the same section
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Taylor Davey
9/11/2011 04:14:39 am
Reading the article in class Friday gave me a point of view that gives me the opinion to disagree even though both sides have excellent arguements. I still strongly disagree with the author of the article, I believe that Young Adult fiction is not becoming to dark these days. I believe this because most of these books show you how lucky you truly have it in life. If kids don't learn it throughout life, it will hit them all at once when they get to the real world. Also if they don't learn how dark life can be at times, they will learn about it on television, school, and eventually in life in general. The reason adults think that kids should not read about dark events is because they believe that we are immature and cannot handle it. There are exceptions with all children because we are all different but most children don't want to hurt themselves because they read a book. Most children are just curious and want to know what can and does truly happen in the real world. Some young adults enjoy reading these books but some don't, and since the entire Young Adult section isn't dark, they can easily find a different book that suits their wants or needs in the same section. This is why I disagree with the author about how the entire Young Adult section is becoming too dark.
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Katie S.
9/11/2011 05:13:55 am
The author of the article we read on Friday thought that young adult books were becoming too dark and graphic. As I did in class, I disagree completely. Everyone has the right to read whatever they want to, even young adults. Parents can control what their children read, so they should not try to blame it on the books. There is a large selection for our age group, so if someone does not want to read a dark book, they can easily find a different one. The TV and school would expose children to these things even if they didn't read about them. Someone going through a tragedy or dealing with difficult issues may be able to relate to someone in a book, and it would definitely help them to see that they are not alone.
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Alyssa Graham
9/11/2011 05:43:25 am
I think that some Young Adult books are to dark for younger young adults. But for the most part; I think that they are allowed to cover darker, more adult content. It is, after all, called Young Adult, not Older Kid. I just think that there are to many darker books with out some kind of positive message or ending. It is one think if the ratio of dark books to lighter, more upbeat books were about 50:50, but it's not. I also think that the article is making an assumption that all teens read these kind of books. The books that have these dark plots are written for teens who are looking for a darker story. Not all teens are obligated to read these books. Teens that are looking for something lighter, more uplifting do not have to read them. I think that the books are not too dark as long as they have some light.
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Derek S.
9/11/2011 06:24:39 am
I have a somewhat neutral position on this. If some people want to read dark books, fine. I will stick with my Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings books, thank you very much.
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Andrew Lombard
9/11/2011 06:54:26 am
I do not think that young adult fiction is too dark. I feel that it is perfectly fine to have dark books in the Young Adult section because I do not feel that they do any real harm. In fact, I feel that they help kids by introducing them to things about the world that they would learn eventually in a safe and secure way such as a book. Also, somebody who is going through a hard time can relate to some characters in these books, and that may help them get through it.
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Elijah House
9/11/2011 07:43:30 am
Most young adult books are dark, but that doesn't mean it encourages its readers to do what happened in the book. Many people assume that teenagers will do bad things if they hear or watch bad things, but this is untrue. The author of the article we read on Friday assumes this opinion. Terrible events such as war and murder happen in the world, so why is it bad if teenagers read about it. If parents have such an issue over this, then they cold limit what their child reads, but the parent will eventually have to expose to them what really happens in the world.
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Joshua Eng
9/11/2011 07:53:43 am
It is true that a lot of books written for young adults are darker and more depressing, but that doesn't mean they shouldn't be read. There should be a balance of both darker and lighter books. Reading only dark books that are graphic isn't healthy, but in my opinion it's a way to expose some to things that they otherwise wouldn't have an awareness of. It's better for them to at least read about something dark rather than actually exploring it and getting hurt. I don't completely agree with the author of the article, but I can see what the point is.
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Kelly D
9/11/2011 09:45:22 am
Is current YA fiction too dark for the naive readers it is intended for? In my opinion, this is a definite no. In fact, I believe that 'protecting them' from this literature would do more harm than good. It is literally the only safe way that children can learn about the darker, more dangerous and harmful aspects of the world we live in. For kids who feel as if they cannot talk to their parents about these issues have books and if they choose to read them, I do not believe that anyone should have the right to tell them they can’t. I think that children enjoy these books because they are about other people who are in horrible situations but find a way to triumph over them. This would not make them depressed but instead show them that there is always a way for there to be a happy ending. It promotes determination, optimism, perseverance, and overcoming all odds, not depression and negativity like the article we read suggests.
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Caroline Lentz
9/11/2011 11:56:33 am
The author is right to say that there shouldn’t be as many dark themes in the Young Adult section. I do agree that not all of the books are dark, but as long as kids have access to books like that, that’s where they’ll go. It might be because it looks cool, the font is big, or because they like the title. The parents/their children are not necessarily anticipating just how graphic and mature the fiction is going to be. My theory is that if things like cutting or suicide were not published like they are, they wouldn’t be so popular. How many kids’ first thoughts when upset are to slice their arm with a knife? I think the idea comes from TV characters, book characters, celebrities, and anything else that suggests that relief can be found in taking such extreme measures. Of course, it is necessary for them to be aware of things like that, but it doesn’t have to be taught to them by a gory fiction novel about vampires. A more controlled, realistic method of teaching would be nice.
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Virginia Wolf
9/11/2011 11:42:45 pm
I completely disagree with the idea that the young adult section is too dark. First of all no one is forcing you to read those books so if you find them too dark, simply don't read them. Also, even if there weren't books about dark subjects kids would still be introduced to those topics through TV shows, Movies, through friends, etc. Plus, not all of the books in the young adult section are dark, so you have other choices. Personally, I enjoy reading about tragic and dark events. I think if you find that sort of literature enjoyable you should be free to read it. Just because a novel has some dark thoughts in it, does not mean that it will have a negative effect on the reader. For kids in situations like the ones you read about in books, seeing a kid in the same situation as you overcoming their difficulties could be reassuring. There for, reading dark books can have a very positive effect.
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Josh K
9/12/2011 04:39:33 am
The Young Adult section at a bookstore has become far too dark. Its covers are, well, covered with black and images invoking violence and death. While I do think this stuff is far too dark for young adults, the publishing industry should be allowed to publish whatever will make them a quick buck. What it comes down to, really, is the parental guidance. Parents should make sure their kids aren't reading too much stuff. A little here, a little there maybe, but too much of this stuff can hurt a kid's thoughts. That's why parents need to control their kids, not rely on the publishing industry to do it for them.
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Selena Hunter
9/12/2011 06:28:43 am
It is my opinion that young adult fiction has not become to dark. These generations of books are not darker than some past generation of books. For example, in Hansel and Gretel, a cannibalistic witch confronted two children. Teenagers are not going to imitate what they read. Did people who read Hansel and Gretel go out and try to cook little children in pots because they read a dark story? If parents think stories are to dark, then we would find other ways of enjoying the stories. For example, the Harry Potter series, if you did not read the books you could just watch the movies. Current young adult fiction books are not to dark.
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Kat M.
9/12/2011 08:54:54 am
In my opinion, young adult fiction has not become too "dark" over the course of the past year/ Reading books that have more violence is simply a reminder of how fortunate we all are to be living such wonderful lives, and to me, reading a book without a small amount of violence or "darkness" is monotonous and boring. In addition, these "dark" books have absolutely no effect on the readers actions, I would know, because every book I have read in the past year, for the most part, have had quite a bit of violence. Having a young adult section filled with books that have "darkness" is merely a trend, and will eventually pass. That is why I believe young adult fiction has not become too dark.
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