The essence of Sexuality in Young Adult

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The essence of Sexuality in Young Adult

Issues pertaining to young adult literature have been controversial since before there even was young adult Literature. In mid 20th century, there were questions as to what content should be incorporated in young adult literature. Quite a number of books had been censored as their contents were deemed inappropriate for the Young Adults. However, the incorporation of sexuality in young adult’s literature has been a hot button issue with quite a large number of people feeling that it is inappropriate or immoral for young adults to read about. In “Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret?”, sexuality is openly and frankly talked about. These ideas about ones sexuality were further cemented in a book that she published more than thirty years ago that went by the title “Forever”. While many parents and moral conservatives have called for the censorship and banning of these two books, they have proved to be extremely popular with young adults, thereby earning Judy Blume her place among literary giants. This, therefore, begs the question, what purpose does sexuality in Judy Blume’s, “Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret?” and “Forever”, serve?

Main thesis: The ideas of sexuality explored in “Are you there God” and “Forever” by Judy Blume enhance young women’s understanding about their self-image and sexuality as women and sexual beings.

Young Adults literature has increasingly represented the broader incorporation of sexuality, whether in terms of sex, sexual orientation, as well as examples of unhealthy and healthy relationships. While these topics have been incorporated in almost all mainstream fiction books for decades, recent times have seen a shift in their content, acceptance and focus. It is noteworthy that today’s teens are exposed to numerous new possibilities, not to mention that they are relatively freer and almost forced to explore and choose their sexuality much earlier than previous generations. It is safe to say that they would not get as much backlash as previous generations by the older readers. Scholars point out that teens are always under intense pressure from their community and families as far as their sexual activities and orientations are concerned. In essence, it is extremely imperative that they have a vast and precise knowledge about what other teens are doing, as well as what they should expect from one another. Judy Blume in “Forever” perfectly captures these expectations in the sexual escapades between Michael and Katherine.

According to Beth Younger, there is an embedded connection between body image, sexuality and weight in women. She notes that thin young women are depicted as powerful, as well as in control, while their larger counterparts are portrayed as irresponsible and sexually passive. In essence, Beth writes that Young Adult literature is a reflection of social stereotypes (Younger 52). In addition, she brings to light that as much as literary critics usually ignore this genre, it will remain a crucial body of work deserving the attention of all women and young readers not only because of its entertainment aspect but also because of the things that it has to say as pertaining to the human condition.

Judy Blume’s “Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret?” and “Forever” are marked by texts that incorporate graphic and frank portrayal of sexuality. In “Forever”, a sexual escapade between Katherine and Michael is graphically portrayed, complete with the fears that young girls are likely to have during their first sexual encounter. Beth Younger notes that such works of literature are often dismissed by critics as unworthy, thanks to their bold nature (Younger 47). Nevertheless, according to Michael Cart (96), such books that reviewers flown upon are extremely popular with young adults since the teens find an unvarnished and faithful version of real life complete with all its emotions and extremes.

As Younger notes, a large number of young adult’s literature that covers sexuality also incorporates another relatively telling and subtle theme pertaining to the self-image of young girls. This theme pertains to their obsession with body image and weight (Younger 48). It is noteworthy that Judy Blume’s “Forever” concentrates of Katherine’s loss of virginity, as well as her subsequent discovery of sexual pleasure and prowess. That notwithstanding, it is the portrayal of her body that attracts the most attention from the readers. Scholars opine that the power of these depictions is enhanced by the fact that, as much as most of these books depict young girls from diverse ethnic origins they also indicate how prevalent the modern hyper-thin beauty ideal is in most Young Adult Literature. In most cases, the girls who are full-figured are depicted as powerless, and sexually promiscuous and passive. Their thin counterparts, on the other hand, are depicted as powerful and responsible. As much as the connection between weight and sexuality is suspect and subtle, it haunts these literary works with unspoken fervor, thereby revealing people’s perception about young women and their self-images.

As much as Judy Blume’s “Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret” mainly outlines the life of Margaret, a young girl who is confused about her religion, her struggle to understand herself and her body is the highlight of the novel. At the end of the book, when her parents are in conflict with her grandparents, she runs to the bathroom and discovers some blood spots in her undergarments. She quickly summons her mom, who immediately brings some pads, which Margaret puts on. Later on, Margaret moves to the New Jersey suburbs from New York where she meets Nancy who introduces her to a club in which they talk about all issues affecting young girls. These issues include periods, boys and bras. Later on, she becomes attracted to another boy in school named Phillip Leory. Evidently, these are issues that young girls are grappling with and may not be able to talk about with adults. It is worth noting that puberty brings numerous modifications to the lives of teens including heightened curiosity about their bodies and sexual or romantic interactions, as well as bodily changes. They are always seeking answers to these questions from any available source including friends, the media, as well as trusted adults.

Scholars argue that as much as Judy Blume’s books may be deemed inappropriate they provide factual, as well as accurate information pertaining to the changes that young adults undergo. They also teach the teens on how they should react to situations, as well as interact with other people (Cart 37). It is noteworthy that the young adults are in a position to identify with the experiences described in the novels, in which case they have a profound influence on their lives. This is even complemented by the fact that most adults and teens find bodily changes a bit awkward to discuss. In essence, the subject is usually avoided at home thereby leaving teens in the dark about the issues affecting them. These novels not only feed the curiosity of the teens as to changes they experience but also provide a basis for parents to discuss them.

As scholars note, weight is usually one of the unspoken notions in this novel. It is noteworthy that, in cases where the race of a character is not delineated, the character is assumed to be white. On the same case, in cases where the weight of a certain character is not outlined, readers usually assume that the character is thin or at least has a medium weight or build. It is only in cases where the character is considered to have an absurd weight that the writer would mention her weight. In most cases, they are called chubby or even fat especially in the case of women. Young adults literature such as “Forever” kowtow to the stereotype that it is more desirable to be thin than to be fat. While Katherine is depicted thin, she is always in control. Her friend Sybil, on the other hand, is depicted as vulnerable, desperate and fat. This depiction shows how powerful the female body image is as far as young adults literature is, as well as the link between body image and female sexuality. In essence, scholars opine that since young adults literature that speaks openly about these issues should be incorporated in the feminist theory course. This would not only illustrate how these texts participate in the construction of body image and female sexuality but also enhance their understanding on these issues.

A number of scholars sought the views of young adults on the incorporation of sexuality in Young Adults literature. The study showed that more than 40% of the teens that read young adults literature are not uncomfortable about it. Less than 20% of them admitted to be uncomfortable with some of the more extreme situations (Orenstein 67). When asked whether the literature influences their sexual experiences, less than 15% replied that it had an impact at all on their behavior while 38% to 65% replied that it often affects their judgment in how they think of people who are in situations that they read about, of those it gave a sense of understanding. However, 32% to 58% replied than the literature never influences the choices that they make. It is noteworthy that most teens choose to read young adult literature with sexually explicit content as a way of being entertained, as well as exploring situations that they have not yet encountered (Orenstein 69). As much as these books do not come as how-to sex manuals, it is imperative that the information contained incorporate accuracy about sex and sexuality. In addition, the research shows that the teens have the capacity to monitor themselves especially as pertaining to what they read.

In conclusion, sexuality in young adult literature is used to enhance the understanding of young women as to the various that affect them. As much as they may not necessarily be influenced by the literature, it is imperative that the literature incorporates accurate, as well as factual information as to issues pertaining to sexuality and sex. This is especially having in mind that the teenagers will always be looking for information as to the varied changes that they undergo from their peers, adults and the various forms of media. In Judy Blume’s books, sex and sexuality are frankly and openly discussed. Issues such as boys, menstruation and other changes that occur during puberty are frankly depicted. This, therefore, clears the air as to the things that most adults and children may be embarrassed about and not discuss. In addition, these books address issues to do with self-image and its connection to sexuality, especially with regard to how the society views people. These are issues that young adults have to contend with and always seek answers.

Works Cited

Orenstein, Peggy. Schoolgirls: Young Women, Self-Esteem and the Confidence Gap. New York: Doubleday, 1994. Print.

Blume, Judy. Are You There, God? It’s Me, Margaret. New York: Bradbury Press, 1970. Print.

Blume, Judy. Forever. New York: Simon and Schuster, 1975. Print.

Cart, Michael. From Romance to Realism: 50 Years of Growth and Change in Young Adult Literature. New York: HarperCollins Publishers, 1996. Print.

Younger, Beth. “Pleasure, Pain, and the Power of Being Thin: Female Sexuality in Young Adult Literature.” National Women’s Studies Association Journal. 2003.