What are “Problem Novels?”

• It is estimated that depression affects as many as one in every 33 children and one in eight adolescents. 
• If you look around a class of 25 students, at least five are likely to have seriously considered suicide, and at least two are likely to have tried to kill themselves in the past year.
• The United States has the highest rates of teen pregnancy and births in the western industrialized world.
• The median age at which lesbian and gay youth become aware that their feelings of “difference” are linked to a same-sex sexual orientation is 13.  9% of high school students identify as “gay, lesbian, bisexual or questioning.”
• Research from Anorexia Nervosa and Related Eating Disorders, Inc. (ANRED) suggests that about 1 percent of female adolescents have anorexia.  Bulimia affects 1 to 3 percent of middle and high school girls.
• In 2001, 20% of 8th graders reported trying marijuana, and 9% were current users. One out of five students in America has used an inhalant to get high by the 8th grade.

 

These are staggering statistics. 

The amount of children suffering from emotional problems is evident from the small listing of statistics listed above.  Often young adults don’t seek support out of fear and confusion.  As a survivor of childhood, adolescent and adult depression, I recognize the importance of information and support.

The new trend of “problem novels” geared toward young adults, is a new world for children with emotional problems to find relief and support.  “Problem novels” can introduce kids to signs of emotional disorders, offer support by showing them they are not alone and influence them to seek help.

According to Wikipedia, “Problem novels are a sub-genre of young adult literature that deal exclusively with an adolescent’s first confrontation with a social or personal ill.”  These “social or personal ills” would consist of many adolescent problems like depression, suicide, eating disorders, sex, drugs, sexual orientation and peer pressure.

Naturally, there is a lot of controversy surrounding the content of these books.  Are they really appropriate for young adults?  My goal for this blog is to explore this question.  It’s no secret that kids are plagued with peer pressure, many have emotional disorders and many more come from broken homes.  But, can reading about how fictional characters deal with these situations really help kids, or does it only glorify these terrible social issues?

To help me in this journey, I will be utilizing the following references to gather further information:

• Kids Lit- A blog by Tasha Saecker, the director of the Menasha Public Library in Menasha, WI.  The site includes reviews and articles about problem novels.
• Reading Today Daily- A division of the International Reading Assosiation.  The page lists literary news from various news sources.
• I will also be combing the book sections of The New York Times and USA Today, as well as utilizing Google News to gather more information on YA and problem novels.

As I will undoubtedy come across more sites and blogs, I will be sure to list them and provide a link for further reference.