Chiqueena Lee

Prof. Warner

Engl. 112b

Young Adult Literature and Sex

                  Young adult literature is an ever evolving genre, it encompasses multiple sub-categories in order to meet the needs of its diverse audience. Contemporary realistic fiction, also known as a problem novel, is one of the seven. It addresses realistic issues prevalent in the lives of teenagers through fictional characters. In Literature for Today�s Young Adult Kenneth L. Donelson and Allen Pace Nilsen assert, �They succeed because they go beyond the externals of living and instead reach out and touch the imaginative life deep down inside where we live� (Donelson and Nilsen 49). Contemporary realistic fiction should not be expected to merely mimic life�s mundane ways, they should introduce a new dynamic in order to engage and retain the reader�s interest. Furthermore, they should demonstrate a teenage protagonist successfully dealing with a difficult situation, such as sex and teen pregnancy.

            According to Donelson and Nilsen a well-written problem novel should encompass the proceeding criteria:

�    A strong, interesting, and believable plot centering around a problem that a young person might really have.

�    The power to transport the reader into another person�s thoughts and feelings.

�    Rich characterization.

�    A setting that enhances the story and is described so that the reader can get the intended picture.

�    A worthwhile theme. The reader is left with something to think about.

�    A smoothness of style that flows steadily and easily, carrying the reader along.

�    A universal appeal so that it speaks to more than a single group of readers.

�    A subtlety that stimulates the reader to think about the various aspects of the story.

�    A way of dealing with the problem so that the reader is left with insights into either society or individuals or both. (Donelson and Nilsen 56)

The literary works included in this annotated bibliography demonstrate these requirements.

            Teen pregnancy is rapidly increasing among the American youth. It is important that there is literature that allows them to endure the trials and tribulation of teenage pregnancy, without personally going through it, hopefully persuading them to think twice before being intimate. It is also imperative for there to be literature that teen parents can relate to, so that they know they are not alone. Sex, unfortunately, is a prevalent issue in the life of young adults and they need to be aware of the consequences, from sexually transmitted diseases to pregnancy. Contemporary realistic fiction novels that focus on these issues provide an alternate outlet to impact change among the youth when the guidance of parents and other influential persons are not enough.

Aspen Education Group. 2005. 13 November 2006

<http://www.aspeneducation.com/factsheetpromiscuity.html>.

 

Aspen Education provides statistics regarding teenage sexual activities. For example, 36.9% of fourteen year olds have had sex and 66.4% of high school seniors have had sex. Moreover, Aspen Education suggests that sex is an outlet for frustrated teens and thus becomes a drug, and a diminished self esteem is the backlash. In addition, Aspen believes teenagers may use sex as a weapon against parents in order to assert they are �grown.�

            This website is ideal for teenagers and parents alike. It brings to the light the imperativeness of speaking to young adults about sex. Not only does it detail how many teens are participating in sexual activities but Aspen also provides information on Sexual Transmitted diseases amongst teens. For instance, there are 3 million reported cases of STD cases among teens and 1 million pregnancies. Moreover, HIV is the sixth leading cause of death between the ages of fifteen and twenty-four, all pertinent information for teenagers contemplating sex and their parents.

Avert. 2006. 22 November 2006 <http://www.avert.org/yngindx.htm>.

Avert goes beyond discussing sex and sexually transmitted diseases. Avert is comprised of testimonies from teenagers living with HIV or AIDS, offers links that help young adults decipher if they are gay or lesbian, and goes as far as addressing sex on the internet. Avert also provides AIDS statistics for multiple countries, breaking it up into race and gender, the statistics are not age specific but remains relevant information. Lastly, this website provides information on the consent law, both generally and specifically to roughly 45 countries.

            The implementation of the consent law is extremely important, many teenagers I have spoken to are unaware of the law. Furthermore, the law promotes a double standard in several countries and allows males to legally have sex before females. Moreover, it discreetly addresses the freedom that homosexuals are legally deprived of in multiple countries and/or states. Avert is also a useful site because it offers links to online quizzes pertaining to condoms, and AIDS, in order to gauge how much the young adult actually knows about each subject.

Brain, Marshall. The Teenager�s Guide to the Real World. BYG Publishers: Raleigh,

            1997.

This book is a guide to several issues young adults will have to face in order to become successful adults. Topics range from education and confidence to work ethic. Chapter thirteen is the one pertinent to sex. From the very beginning it warns teenagers of the three disadvantages of having sex: unprotected sex will eventually lead to pregnancy, conception is possible despite the use of protection, and if your partner has a sexually transmitted disease you will probably get it as well. Marshall continues by discussing the cost of raising a child and the time that is sacrificed. It is clear that Marshall advocates that teenagers wait for marriage before consummating their relationship, but throughout the chapter he reiterates that sex is �their� choice.

            Without explicitly stating that teenage sex is bad, it makes the reader aware of the consequences of sex. It is a good tactic because it allows the read to make their own decision, yet now it is an informed one. Marshall also makes the text extremely accessible by posting the first twenty chapters online, thus providing teenagers with another free resource regarding sex.

Brooks, Martha. True Confessions of a Heartless Girl. HarperCollins Publishers:

            New York, 2003.

            Noreen is a seventeen year old female that appears to be emotionless to the people around her. She is dating a young man named Wesley whom she is not quite sure if it is infatuation or love she feels towards him. At one point in the text Noreen takes off with his truck and runs away to another city only to find that she is pregnant. The discovery of her conception evokes a softer side of Noreen, and she is able to decipher how she really feels about Wesley and begin to mature.

            This text exemplifies the co-dependence everyone must have in order to succeed in life. The ultimate example being when Noreen realizes she is pregnant because then she realizes that the life inside of her will be completely reliant upon her. This will be good for young adults because they are usually self centered and it reminds them once they have a child it is no longer all about them, thus reminding them to at least use protection if they are going to engage in sexual intercourse.

Complete Album Lyrics. 2006. 12 November 2006

<http://www.completealbumlyrics.com/lyric/130581/Lyfe+Jennings+-+S.e.x..html>.

 

This song is about a young woman coming to age and developing into a woman. The speaker warns her to be careful regarding men and their intentions with her. It also details how mothers try to warn their daughters, but men have more convincing lines. Furthermore, �S.E.X� addresses the fact that young females tend to like the attention, and thus have sex prematurely thinking the guy will remain interested afterwards.

            Jennings informs young women of men�s intentions and their manipulative ways. He also stresses that a person can only lose their virginity once so make sure that it is with someone special.

Harris, Joshua. I Kissed Dating Goodbye. Multnomah Publishers, Inc: Oregon,

1997.

It is a Christian novel about the dangers of dating as opposed to courting. Harris discusses how to trust God with relationships and waiting for Him to bring that special someone into your life, instead of going out look for him/her. I Kissed Dating Goodbye also addresses why it is important to avoid doing what feels good and to do what is good. Moreover, Harris provides Biblical text to support his claims and demonstrates the negative affects of premature �love.�

            The text reveals spiritual and emotional consequences of not only sexual intercourse but dating in general. A prime example is when Harris details how each time you are intimate with someone or in serious relationship you give that person a piece of your heart so that by time you get married your spouse will only receive what is left over. I thought that was a profound thought and could potentially make teenagers think twice about �falling in love� and prematurely offering their body to someone.

Johnson, Angela. The First Part Last. Simon Pulse: New York, 2003.

The novel takes place in urban New York, and details the life of sixteen year old Bobby as he struggles to be a good father to his daughter Feather. The chapters are all entitled �then� or �now� except for two critical chapters titled �Nia� and �Heaven�. The �then� chapters chronicle Bobby�s and Nia�s relationship before the birth of Feather, focusing on their indecisiveness about whether or not to keep the child, or if they should take the advice of the social worker and put the baby up for adoption. The �now� chapters describe Bobby�s life as a single father. Nia plays no part in Feather� s life, nor do her parents, for reasons that remain undisclosed until the near end of the novel. Bobby�s parents are supportive yet, refrain from taking care of Feather for him. Therefore, forcing Bobby to endure late nights, sacrificed weekends, and the pressure of graduating high school all at the tender age of sixteen.

            The text provides a male perspective on teen pregnancy, when female perspectives are the norm. A text like this can also be used as a complementary piece in a health science class because it goes beyond biological factors.

Lyrics On Demand. 2006. 1 November 2006

<http://www.lyricsondemand.com/l/laurynhilllyrics/doowopthatthinglyrics.html>

 

�Doo Wop (That Thing)� is a song by Lauryn Hill that warns both males and females of the opposite sex and their deceitful and selfish motives. Hill urges young women to watch out for young men use sly words full of love in efforts to get between their legs, because once the young man gets what he wants he will be done with her. She also stresses the importance of remaining true to oneself because following trends can be dangerous, especially when females are scantily dressed and flirting with guys because it is �in�. Conversely, Hill cautions young men to take life more seriously. She declares that there is more to life than material conquest and to watch out for females that purposely get married to pregnant to collect child support.

�Doo Wop (That Thing)� is relevant because it addresses both sexes and refrains from sugar coating the negative aspects of sex. The song also has an upbeat rhythm and was played in the clubs often, potentially allowing the words to subconsciously sink into the minds of the crowd as they dance to the beat.

Scarleteen. Heather Corinna. 2006. 16 November 2006

<http://www.scarleteen.com/index.html>.

 

�Scarleteen� is an online magazine for young adults and addresses numerous aspects of sex. The headline for the magazine is �sex education for the real world.� Among the numerous articles they discuss: sexuality, sexually transmitted diseases, homosexuality, virginity, loving one�s body, and it even provides a crisis hotline. Furthermore, the website has a section for parents and relationship forums. The only short coming with the website is that it was geared more towards females than males.

            �Scarleteen� online magazine is amazing. It provides young adults with information on every aspect of sex, including the importance of a positive self image. Moreover, it is geared to encourage parents and children to go through it together. In addition, the forums serve as an outlet for teenagers to anonymously speak to other teenagers when they are notl comfortable speaking to friends and families.

Sebold, Alice. The Lovely Bones. Back Bay Books: New York, 2004.

Susie Salmon is a fourteen-year-old girl who was raped and killed. Throughout the narrative she is in Heaven and watches as her friends trade rumors about her disappearance and her killer try to cover his tracks. Heaven is initially not what Susie expected, however as the text progresses she realizes that Heaven is really what you want it to be. The novel also details how her family copes with her death; her father has difficulties moving on and it causes tension amongst him and her brother.

            Although this text is not primarily about sex it is a reminder to young females to be careful. It does not matter how safe your neighborhood supposedly is, bad people live in good neighborhoods. The Lovely Bones can also be helpful to teens that are coping with the rape or death of a friend.