Managing Your Kids' Obsession with All Things Twilight

How to make the most of the vampire cultural phenomenon.
by Liz Perle | Sep. 3, 2009 | Role models and stereotypes

Twilight Obsession: Should You Worry?

Teens (and their moms) love Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart

  • So far, there are three movies -- Twilight, New Moon, and Eclipse -- plus four books in the Twilight series
  • Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart play the lead lovers Edward and Bella
  • The books and movies are age-appropriate for teens
  • Being passionate about a specific subject is age-appropriate

Advice & Answers


Are your kids (and you) obsessed?

Not since Harry Potter cast his first spell has the world witnessed a book-series-turned-movie-phenomenon like Stephenie Meyers' Twilight Saga. After the books gained popularity, the movies came quickly. First Twilight, then New Moon, followed by Eclipse. Teens (and many moms) were swept away by the mysterious characters, the obsessive romance, and dueling enemies (werewolves and vampires). And why not? With brooding Robert Pattinson as Edward and spunky Kristen Stewart as Bella, who could resist this guilty pleasure? Are some kids obsessed with Twilight? You bet. Should you worry? Not really. Teens are passionate about what they love. It’s not unusual or age-inappropriate.


Make the most of it

Teens will talk to each other about relationships, but they probably won’t chew your ear off about their crushes or ask your advice about that boy or girl that they’re involved with. But the great thing about books and movies like Twilight, New Moon, and Eclipse is that they offer a way to talk about relationships without risking the cold shoulder from your kids. The dynamic among all the young vampires, werewolves, and plain old humans is so true-to-life (blood-sucking and shape-changing aside) that you can find out what’s going on without invading teens’ privacy.


Starting the conversation

Sit down and watch Twilight with your kids. Ask them what they love about the series and why they relate to the characters. What is it about Edward that makes him a dream boyfriend? And why is Bella so appealing?

Have a reality check. Point out the differences between actors and characters and ideal relationships versus real-life romances.

Take a moment to enjoy something with your kids -- even if your conversation begins and ends with, “Pass the popcorn, please.”

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Comments

SomeGirl 04.19.2012
I cannot understand how anyone likes Bella and/or Edward. Bella is selfish, cruel, manipulative and depressed; Edward is abusive, condescending, selfish and manipulative. I suppose one could say that they are made for each other. But most people, it seems, don't see how wrong their relationship is. First of all, I know it's not real, but if it were would you really be happy (as Bella's father is) with your EIGHTEEN-YEAR-OLD daughter marrying a ONE-HUNDRED-AND-TEN-YEAR-OLD vampire? I wouldn't. Second, the messages sent out in the stories are horrible. For instance, in the second book and movie, after Edward leaves her (and then, obviously, comes back after swearing he would), Bella becomes depressed and doesn't speak for several months. Then, she decides to indulge in reckless behaviour in order to see Edward's face. One of these 'activities' involves jumping off of a cliff into the freezing ocean. Bella almost dies. Next, after Bella gives birth (she has sex on her wedding night and gets pregnant, obvs.) Jacob (Bella's werewolf best friend, who was previously obsessed with her, and she with him) 'imprints' on the baby. For those of you who are unaware, 'imprinting' is where someone realises that he/she is meant to be with one person, and if they aren't... they die, or something equally ridiculous. Do you see the problem? The baby is not yet one, and Jacob is seventeen... THIS IS PAEDOPHILIA! Well, I think I've made my point. Twilight - and everything related to it - is sick. How do people accept it?
colorsgirl 05.08.2012
I understand that some people like this book series because it is a nice romance, and also fantasy. I can appreciate books that are light and interesting, but I also appreciate books which are well written and Twilight certainly isn't. It is appropriate for teens, but like the Hunger Games (a book which I love), young kids are reading it and watching the movies. I saw a 7 year old check it out at the library (with her mom) and I really wanted to tell that mother that it is not a book for seven year olds! I love a book called the Fault in Our Stars, but it has a sex scene (which is very different from Twilight's sex scenes btw) and is not appropriate for anyone under 13! Parents seem to think that it is ok for their child to read something just because it is popular; they are so incredibly wrong. Also, Twlight promotes bad messages to girls. Girls are bombarded with media that tells them they must look and act a certain way to be accepted by boys. There are two things wrong with this; one, we are placing too much importance on image and not health or happiness, and two, there is more to life than having a boyfriend. That being said, it is a nice love story...parents, please use your mind! I am a teen, and I have noticed loads of kids reading books that contain material that they should not be exposed to at that age. SomeGirl has a point about the Paedophilia. That is something that I find disturbing in books, especially when young people are reading about it. Thank you for listening. ~colorsgirl

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