Do children really need 'full frontal snogging'?

24/1/2011

I have had a number of conversations with parents this week on the expectations society puts on children and teens. I often blame the influence of raunchy music videos, inappropriate toys and the dreadful role modelling by Hollywood starlets. These conversations made me think about this photo I took a few months ago in the 'children's' section of a local bookstore:

Titles of two of the books: 'Angus, Thongs & Full Frontal Snogging' and 'On the Bright Side, Now I am The Girlfriend of a Sex God'

Angus, thongs and full-frontal snogging. You'll laugh your knickers off!" (As one friend commented, didn't we used to laugh our socks off?!)
"On the Bright Side, I am Now the Girlfriend of a Sex God"

I don't know anything about the contents of these books, but they certainly give the appearance of being inappropriate for a child. Yet there they were, in the children's section of the bookstore. Herein, we set up the expectation that children should be reading about, if not experimenting with "full-frontal snogging" and 'sex gods".

Another mid-30s friend reminisced about reading various Judy Blume titles as a 12-year old. Notably 'Are You There God, It's Me, Margaret', and 'Forever'. and questioned whether these novels were in a similar vein. The former followed a girl's anxious progression through puberty, including her pleas to God to give her some breasts. The latter was a tale about first love - and the couple's foray into physical intimacy and eventially, sex. Prior to this happening, the couple is in a committed loving relationship, they discuss their feelings thoroughly and visit a family planning clinic for contraception. The language used in the book titles in the photo - 'sex god' and 'full frontal snogging' just don't seen quite as respectful and loving?!

I have not read the books in the photo - they may well be excellent literature. I just don't think they should be in the children's section of a bookstore.

4 Comments

Amber

25/1/2011 12:29:58

I concur - it seems the authors/editors may be focussed on 'selling the book' as opposed to contributing positively to the young readers lives?
Note: judgement also made from the title alone (but no interest in purchasing/borrowing these books - title doesn't appeal to me - I guess it's not meant to)!

Ally link

3/2/2011 04:16:12

The books are BRILLIANT. They are SO funny and Georgia Nicholson is a hilarious, brave hero for young teenage girls. I think these books are definitely usually in the Young Adult section. If you think young adults aren't already thinking about full frontal snogging your kidding yourself! Perhaps the title was a publisher decision, but the content is brilliant, and I personally am all for anything that gets teenagers into reading.

Trish

3/2/2011 04:44:32

I've read them, and they share a curious similarity to Judy Blume books. Georgia worries about boobs, embarrassing periods, kissing boys (Did you forget the 3 minutes in the closet scenes in "Margret"?) and awkward underwear. And sex. Not having it, but worrying about it. Remarkably, this is pretty much what I worried about at fourteen. Periods were passe, and I didn't have to worry about getting boobs - more what to do with the ones that I had! The books are also a hilariously funny take on being a teenager in a family. In Judy Blume's books the parents are always curiously absent. In the Georgia books, they are there, they are embarrassing, and they are making decisions that will RUIN the heroine's life. (As all parental decisions do when you are 14) If it's a choice between that and another vampire book, I'd much rather my nieces read these.

Rachel Hansen link

3/2/2011 05:27:30

Thanks for your comments. As I said in the post - I haven't read the books and it's great to hear that you are both familiar with the books and the content seems good. I am all for brave female heroes in books! (And parents taking an active role in their kids lives!) I think I was rather taken aback because I was in the childrens (not young adults) section looking for a gift. And those titles just seemed inappropriate. I am certainly aware that most 14 year old girls are very interested in learning more about 'full frontal snogging' - I am sure that title would have sold me at age 14 :) Books like this have their place, just not in the childrens section. Just like I wouldn't let my 8 year old read Blume's 'Forever'. Although, on reflection, regardless of the quality of the book, the publishers are still buying in to the 'sex sells' mantra (with the sexual references in the title), and, well, although sex does indeed sell, it would be good to think that teen books could sell of their own merit. I actually stumbled across a national radio interview with the author last week and she sounded great. Thanks for your comments, I may have to read these books now!

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Do children really need 'full frontal snogging'?

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