YA, Popular Culture & the rise of society's worship of Youth
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YA isn't about worshiping youth, just as romance isn't about worshiping romance or literary is about worshiping weirdness.
They're all about exploring facets of our lives and our society through stories.
And car chases and explosions.
They're all about exploring facets of our lives and our society through stories.
And car chases and explosions.
Obligatorily: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uzykot3i6rU
I really don't understand YA phenomenon. It's kinda like manga all over again when nobody over 25 exists.*
(*generalization alert.)
I really don't understand YA phenomenon. It's kinda like manga all over again when nobody over 25 exists.*
(*generalization alert.)
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zoombie, where have you been lately? the entire purpose of the existence of YA books is to give people the opportunity to make idiotic generalizations about teenagers!
your response is much too intelligent and logical. couldn't possibly be true.
How are kids growing up more quickly nowadays? Back in the good old days, a kid would join the work force at age six. Get out in the fields and harvest my crops, you lazy good-for-nothings! What is all this elementary school nonsense? Go earn your keep! The next thing you know they'll be wanting to have shoes and more than one pair of pants. Young adult novels my fanny. All a child needs is a ball and a stick and a pocketful of dreams.
*shakes fist in a crotchety manner*
*shakes fist in a crotchety manner*
Amadan
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"Growing up more quickly" = "discovering sex." Back in the good old days, you didn't learn about S-E-X until your wedding night!
Okay, seriously, I also find the early sexualization of children very disturbing. But I don't think it has much to do with YA fiction.
I'm pretty sure back in the good old days, you learned about sex while watching your sheep/cows/dogs/cats make sweet sweet love to one another. While you were out toiling in the fields as a child ought to!!!
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Exactly. Children were sexualized for a quite a while. Kids had kids at thirteen. This marriage at 25 thing is fairly new. And I doubt YA has anything to do with those tater-tot shirts.
Teens have non discretionary income. Therefore things are marketed to them.
Adolescence is the period that moves between adulthood and childhood. Makes sense that most teens would be focused more on adult behavior and roles than the child-like behaviors they have left behind.
Of course us old people want to look younger. Who likes wrinkles?
Sexualizing children (like pre-pubescent) is morally abhorrent to me, but it's been around for a long time, and has nothing to do with YA lit.
None of this has anything to do with YA lit, except the psychology of teens which is pretty interesting. Youth worshiping doesn't really mean more money for YA novels as much as more money for botox.
Adolescence is the period that moves between adulthood and childhood. Makes sense that most teens would be focused more on adult behavior and roles than the child-like behaviors they have left behind.
Of course us old people want to look younger. Who likes wrinkles?
Sexualizing children (like pre-pubescent) is morally abhorrent to me, but it's been around for a long time, and has nothing to do with YA lit.
None of this has anything to do with YA lit, except the psychology of teens which is pretty interesting. Youth worshiping doesn't really mean more money for YA novels as much as more money for botox.
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Also, youth worship has been around for centuries. Fountain of Youth anyone? Dr. Heidegger's Experiment?
And what does the internet have to do with this? Lets not blame the interwebz for child p0rn and kid bras. They would have existed regardless.
And what does the internet have to do with this? Lets not blame the interwebz for child p0rn and kid bras. They would have existed regardless.
zolambrosine
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Oh no... morality. I always feel uncomfortable when people say things like this, because after declarations of ethics like this, censorship tends to follow.
Is now a bad time to bring up pederasty?
You have to give credit to the Greeks/Romans, they were very good at 'youth worship'.
You have to give credit to the Greeks/Romans, they were very good at 'youth worship'.
Er... hate to break it to you, but "training bras" for pre-pubescent girls (say, age 9 and up) have been around at least 30 years. This is not new.
And I have known plenty of 9 year old girls who actually needed bras. The idea that girls don't develop until middle or high school is a myth.
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Very true.
And you're introduced to the locker room in 6th grade. You need a training bra. You're eleven and you don't want to show your nakedness to a bunch of other girls. I knew a girl who wore a c-cup in 6th grade. Most girls started developing in fifth grade when they were 9/10/11. Blame hormones in plastic and meat.
Eh. You could just as easily argue that 'kids' do not grow up as fast - in terms of responsibility now, compared to in the past. 'Cue generalizations' - a lot, though not all, of teenagers do not have much they have to 'do', beyond school, extra curriculars, or a part time job. I certainly did not.
On the general, sweep of 'innocence', I think this is always a bit broad, no matter what time you talk of - it all depends on personal experiences.
I do agree that marketers have honed upon the tween/teen market and have run from there, cackling all the way.
Becca C.
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Yup yup yup. I've read a few books that mention someone having their first period and first bra when they're, like, 14 -- I was ten on both counts!! Little more than a few generations ago I would've been married off right then, and celebrating my 10th anniversary right now!
I think I kinda get what the OP is saying. It immediately made me think of a quote from Narnia where something to the effect that Susan's rushing as fast as she can to the silliest time in her life and is going to try and stay there as long as she can. Perhaps because of this quote, I spent most of my teenage years reading books and playing with LEGOs instead.
As for "adolescent," I've also heard that defined as the period when one isn't reliant on adults, but also doesn't have little ones to care for...in which case, yes, "adolescence" is going on longer now that it was in the past.
But...I love YA not because I want to be young again (high school? Ugh, please save me!) but because there are some really great, tight stories being told here of tremendous character growth (coming-of-age). I think the desire to change, to grow, to be a better person is eternal, and YA often has this in spades. I can remember that experience -- deciding who I wanted to be -- and those kinds of stories still resonate strongly with me and make me think about who I'm becoming still.
Also, as noted, the explosions are great.
As for "adolescent," I've also heard that defined as the period when one isn't reliant on adults, but also doesn't have little ones to care for...in which case, yes, "adolescence" is going on longer now that it was in the past.
But...I love YA not because I want to be young again (high school? Ugh, please save me!) but because there are some really great, tight stories being told here of tremendous character growth (coming-of-age). I think the desire to change, to grow, to be a better person is eternal, and YA often has this in spades. I can remember that experience -- deciding who I wanted to be -- and those kinds of stories still resonate strongly with me and make me think about who I'm becoming still.
Also, as noted, the explosions are great.
Do you mean trainingv bras ? They serve a purpose that is related to posture and breast health. They get young girls in the habit of wearing s bra. With shows like toddlers in tiaras I can kinda see where you are coming from but the bra was just a bad example. Most dudes don't know about that stuff though
Do you mean trainingv bras ? They serve a purpose that is related to posture and breast health. They get young girlscin the habit of wearing s bra. With shows like toddlers in tiaras I can kinda see where you are coming from but the bra was just a bad example. Most dudes don't know about that stuff though
Don't forget the undesirability of showing off your nips through your shirt in grade school/middle school. The horror!
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