A discussion inside Wildcats 4 has touched on a topic that I thought others might want to weigh in and share their opinion.
The topic of whether a young adult novel should deal with a harsh or a gentle reality. The thought that dealing with sex, drugs, and violence should be dealt with or avoided so as not to become an influencer (love that word, BTW).
How do you approach these topics knowing full well that kids read coming of age stories and use them as bibliotherapy (look that one up)?
What responsibility does an author have when heading towards the dark side?
I'll stop there.
Comments
This must be over...
them smoking that crap in the story. Honestly it did not add any depth into the story and the illegal drug use was portrayed in a positive light, which would give a young one the impression it's okay to do it. Taking the fact that up until now the characters in the stories have been quite law abiding, I think it is out of character for them to have agreed to go and do this.
We the willing, led by the unsure. Have been doing so much with so little for so long,
We are now qualified to do anything with nothing.
I have not read the story,
I have not read the story, but as someone with an extremely Libertarian bent, kids 'smoking that crap' isn't that unlikely, nor is it necessarily 'bad'. Just because something is illegal, it doesn't mean that the laws make sense - it just means that someone complained, and politicians wanted to see that 'something was done'. (Ever notice they NEVER remove an old law? They only keep adding. It's because removing bad laws would be admitting mistakes, and it doesn't look as good as "doing something!" )
When was the last time you saw someone fined for spitting on the sidewalk? How about for blowing their horn outside a restaurant in Little Rock? (Yes, it's on the books. I just double checked it) How about being arrested for shooting fish in Indiana (or tickling them).
Kids aren't -stupid-. They just tend to be excessively impulsive, and have no sense of self preservation. In that case, "Hey, let's smoke some wacky tobaccy" can make perfect sense. Especially if they're aware of the fact that they've been studying it for a century, and still can't come up with any long term side effects. (Unlike alcohol or tobacco)
I'll get a life when it's proven and substantiated to be better than what I'm currently experiencing.
It’s not necessarily about weed
The old school triad of lsd, weed and heroin are quaint by comparison to some modern stuff. Bath crystals alone scare the bejeebies out of me to say the least. Then there is fentanyl, meth etc
Those things will make you go downhill and fast.
Playing with substances to get high is serious Russian Roulette these days.
Dear Bibliophage,
You broke my heart when you said "I have not read the story."
I thought it was required reading!
But, seriously, I appreciate your sharing your opinion.
Seriously.
It hasn't really jumped out
It hasn't really jumped out at me as being a story I want to read as of yet. It may never reach that point. I'm also the sort of person that despite being in theatre for years, I think that "Death of a Salesman" and its ilk should never be performed - they aren't actually entertainment. They're depressing, and if I want that, I'll watch the news or the latest 'Trump Vs The World' garbage online. (I'm not defending or attacking Trump. I'm just pointing out that both sides are absolutely atrocious when it comes to the news.)
I read for entertainment, or for education. That's it. To help with the egos online, I don't read _most_ of the stories posted, at least in the last three years. Efindumb, yours is one of the series I have been reading, if it helps :)
I'll get a life when it's proven and substantiated to be better than what I'm currently experiencing.
My two cents worth.
Nuuan commented "Taking the fact that up until now the characters in the stories have been quite law abiding, I think it is out of character for them to have agreed to go and do this."
When I read this part in your story, I had a strong reaction of "Where did this come from?" Up until now, I do not remember anything in this story where the band members have any desire to do or have thought about doing drugs. And now they suddenly are doing it like it's a common, every day occurrence. Introducing it this way was NOT true to the story. Now if Tasha had thought, "Say what? Is this OK?" and then found out that the other older band members do this occasionally then the story would have made a lot more sense.
But, to answer the actual question you asked, I think we need three kinds of stories. Ones were issues like drugs and rape never come up. Kids and other people need stories where the characters live like we all ought to or want to live. Secondly, we need stories that provide role models on how to handle situations where things like drugs, robbery, assault, rape, etc. suddenly intrude into our lives. Thirdly, we need stories that present life as it really is, i.e. especially if these stories introduce a little extra that get us thinking about whether it is acceptable just because it commonly occurs in real life or commonly portrayed in video as OK.
Thanks Willow
For clarifying that,
I never mentioned that drugs and other illegal activities should be left out of stories. At times those things are instrumental in the story and must be included.
I do get it, the stereotypes of the police chief's son being the biggest pot head in town, or the Preacher's daughter being the biggest slut, and a lot of music groups become drug addicts. While I wasn't surprised that it was offered to them, I found their willingness in question.
It was completely out of character for the group, especially Terry to be so willing to go do something none of them have ever appeared to have done before. Had the scene been more like what Willow suggested, it would then not have felt so wrong to see this happen in the story.
We the willing, led by the unsure. Have been doing so much with so little for so long,
We are now qualified to do anything with nothing.
"With a purpose"
"With a purpose"
Violence is rife in multiple major young adult novels- Tolkien and Rowling alone have dozens of deaths and yet are lauded by critics and fans.
Sex is touchy(no pun intended) but if it's used the right way it's a major source of character development and plot building. Drugs can be the same, especially if there is an action and reaction.
Basically, it's all in how you choose to do it that matters. Gratuitous sex, drugs, and violence has no place in a young adult novel but having it is unavoidable if you have a reason. Just have a reason for it and it will be alright.
I'm told STFU more times in a day than most people get told in a lifetime
I agree with you
...Except for the part where you referred to Tolkien as a young adult writer.
i think you need to be true to the story,
sometimes people who use drugs die, this is the reality. Much like the opioid epidemic. The smarter ones avoid that trap.Their is such a thing as common sense, others have to have their noses rubbed in it (friends dying and whatnot).
Yep the tincture of truth
Drugs are a reality. To be blunt, we are living in the age of Darwin Awards. It bothers me we are wasting so many of the country’s resources dealing with it. It probably is not helping my health care costs either.
On the ‘plus’ side, more social security benefits available for me as the average age of death has gone down.
It's Changed
There was a time when YA books avoided most of the themes you mentioned. Not any more.
I believe an author always has a duty to present things honestly. If a moral imperative exists, it should be discussed fully.
Jill
Angela Rasch (Jill M I)
my sense of ethics
Would say authors shouldn't glamorize dangerous behaviors or minimize or ignore the dangers, basically not encourage irresponsibility. But ignoring the possibilities is not really responsible either.
This discussion
Weave it into the story. Have someone bring up the danger of being impaired (driving or being among strangers or at a party or whatever.) Talk about the stupidity or validity of the laws. Talk about the states that are legalizing the stuff. Talk about the consequences of getting caught and ending up in the system.
Mention Cheech and Chong.
Talk about and contrast the nasty stuff like krokodil. (Don't Google krokodil if you have a weak stomach.)
Hmmm... Did Cheech and Chong ever have this discussion? Talk about corrupting the youth! Talk about glamorizing weed!
Class... class... SHUT UP!!!
Sharing How You Feel
I think it's interesting reading the range of opinions that pop up. Obviously, as the Wildcats author, when I included a bit of beer and pot throughout the stories, I did it in moderation and hopefully in a proper setting each time. But, I feel no need to defend my decisions. I can take the criticism, in fact, I welcome it. It stimulates my senses and keeps me thinking.
Since all of the original Wildcats are over twenty-one, I did not feel any qualms about including alcohol at Bruno's party. And, everyone was getting high, too. But, hey, I think that's life in today's world.
I walked a thin line with Terry where it was explained that this wasn't the first pot ever tried. Terry got high with Lisa on several occasions and talked.
I was not trying to make my series a morality lecture and yes, drugs are still illegal in some states (if you count medical and recreational).
But, it was never the focus and the band never did anything before a gig. That was made clear early on. I chuckled at the comment that Wildcats 4 was the first mention of weed. Obviously, my subtle mentions succeeded.
But, there's also rampant premarital sex, too. It's not graphic but still there.
Amos abused drugs and actually went crazier when off his meds and subsequently fell down a really deep hole, metaphorically.
Personally, I think the stories deal with a lot of the real world around us.
But, please keep on discussing. This was never intended to be about me or the Wildcats. I want to hear what you think.
I just had to chime in onn
I just had to chime in on this one after I had read a LONG list of artists we lost this year
and time after time the news posted this line...died because of 'accidental drug overdose'
they real really should say what it was
this person was killed by illegal drug use and any 'dose' is a dice roll to see if you DIE!
no 'dose' when you use Coke or heroin is accidental...you wanted to take it and messed up!
Proud member of the Whateley Academy Drow clan/collective
accidental drug use
I, too, am saddened by addiction. But, I am much more saddened by the fact that we ignore mental health issues. A counselor friend of mine said if everyone in this country saw a mental health clinician as often as they get their teeth cleaned, we'd be a healthier country.
I propose that most people turn to hard drugs because of mental illness. I'm not talking about social drugs like alcohol and pot and seeing them as gateway drugs, but pharmaceutical addiction, heroin, meth, and coke as 'praying to die' drugs. The stupors these drugs bring on are easing the pain but not curing it.
Being alcohol and drug-free is not an easy thing for most. The easiest way to ease the pain is the deadliest.
??
Did none of you ever have a positive drug experience as a teenager?
You mean fail a drug test? :)
You mean fail a drug test? :)
I'm allergic to marijuana, tobacco, and alcohol, if that helps. (yes, and my main background is irish, scots, english, and german. )
I'll get a life when it's proven and substantiated to be better than what I'm currently experiencing.
A Positive Experience
Yes. Still do.
Never had any desire
I grew up in the inner city of a big city and the drug users were not a pretty sight. I do not need any outside assists to get the most out of life and am willing to face life unvarnished.. Being Asian I also am not tolerant of alcohol. Like I commented in the story, this has allowed me to earn more income in an area where this trait is highly valued.
I served in Vietnam
There were four groups of people to hang with. The drinkers, the potsmokers, the hard drug users and the people who did religion straight, no chaser. A fifth tiny group appeared to be RA assholes who no one wanted to hang with.
I found the potsmokers the most congenial, tolerant, good-natured, considerate, thoughtful and conscientious group. It was no contest. Personally, I did not like the effects of alcohol or pot but the smokers didn't seem to mind that I indulged rarely. I quit taking even an occasional toke at a party 32 years ago and I have not missed it at all. Just not my thing.
Hugs to all,
Erin
= Give everyone the benefit of the doubt because certainty is a fragile thing that can be shattered by one overlooked fact.
Odd one out
I guess I'm the odd one out. I don't drink or smoke anything and never have. I've tasted several types of alcohol and they all taste exactly the same to me...close to what I imagine battery acid would taste like. So I don't get it.
Melanie