Novel Considered Too Graphic for Teens

Quite a bit of controversy has arisen over the recently published novel, "Edgewise: An Assignment to Remember". An international organization wanted to promote the novel however, after reading it they recommended the author tone down a particular scene in the book. They feared some would be offended when they read that part, saying the author had taken a "G" rated book and given it an "R" rating with that one segment.

The scene that ignited the controversy involves the female protagonist as a teen on a date. She finds herself in a situation that's more than she can handle. The author states she recorded the memories as they unfolded. "What is written is how it happened. That is life!"

When this issue was brought to her attention the author was concerned and polled her readers to ask how they would rate the book: G, PG, PG-13, R, or NC-17? More than four dozen responded with a rating of "PG-13." Only one responded with an "R" rating. When asked in the poll whether they would allow their teenage daughter/granddaughter to read the book, only one responded "no" and, and furthermore, would not even allow her 21 year old granddaughter to read it. The others responded "yes." They not only indicated they would allow it, but would encourage it as a preventative step and form of caution. The consensus of reaction was, "If that could happen to someone like Delaney, it could happen to anyone!" When asked in the poll if that scene should be toned-down, the unanimous response was "Absolutely not! It would not be as effective and carry the same impact."

Sadly, the teens of today are much less naïve than of my generation. When I was young, in the 1960s, most young girls were not allowed to date until they were sixteen or older, whereas today's statistics reflect teenagers become sexually active as early as 13 years of age or even younger. As a result, teenage pregnancies are off the charts. So the question remains, "What IS too graphic for teens?" What should responsible parents prevent their teens from viewing? Are they protecting them from seeing the movies with extreme violence and gratuitous sexual situations? Are they preventing them from watching videos with near-naked bodies, over-exposed, overly-endowed breasts and scantily-clad hips as they gyrate to the provocative, down-right obscene lyrics to songs? Perhaps the question shouldn't be "Are the parents doing these things?" but rather should be "Can the parents prevent or protect their teens from the world—from life?" The answer carries a double-edged sword. On one hand, parents could encourage them to read books or see movies where sexual situations are not glamorous or satisfying, and come with consequence, such that the overall picture is not a pretty one. On the other hand, if the parents do encourage this, they're not protecting them from the cruel world.

There is no question that parental guidance is the much needed missing link in today's society as teens approach adulthood. As parents, my husband and I raised our two sons to become responsible men who respect women. We were never like so many parents today who stick their heads in the sand, hoping the ugliness in the world will go away before their teens have to face it out there on their own? It would make more sense to take some preventative steps of caution, in allowing teens to be exposed to things of graphic nature in a fictional sense for their own good. It just may prevent the teen from experiencing it in non-fictional real life.