What are “Problem Novels?”
January 13, 2007- 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.
YA! Cast
Virginia,
Your introductory blog entries draw my mind back to 1997. That year, a teacher was dismissed from a Christian high school in my community because of his unreserved support of his son who had recently “come out” to his parents.
Frankly, I question the motives of he son. He, a graduate of his dad’s employer could have revealed his true sexual identity in a more pastoral fashion. Instead, he chose to blind-side his parents. They, being truly loving parents, immediately took the side of their son. The father–who was a history teacher at the Christian school, eventually lost his job over his vocal position regarding his son.
Nevertheless, the fired teacher found a home at the Black River Public School (an alternative school) in Holland, Michigan. The teacher was very much encouraged by the conscious policy of the school regarding LGBT students. Their site is http://www.blackriverpublicschool.org/. You might want to investigate the school for policies that you might find friendly to your educational objective.
BTW, I envy your nicely constructed blog.
Kevin D., ENG 311B
[...] by gvsuceltic January 18th, 2007 at 2:35 [...]
It is exciting. I’ll be checking back in to see what sort of research you are coming up with. You’ve got such a great handle on the subject so far, I’m intrigued to see where you go with this.
As someone who is approaching parenthood, this topic is something that will undoubtedly come up in my life and my child’s in the next 10-15 years, if not sooner. Obviously, I am someone who supports “problem novels” and their exposure to adolescents. If nothing else, I believe it helps to promote a sense of empathy in children. But I also believe that the “Banned Books” are really what we should all be reading…anyway.
Keep up the great work, babe. You will be an amazing teacher some day.
Posted by The Happy Phantom on Thursday, January 18, 2007 at 10:02 AM
Virginia,
Now this is an opening post. Very well done. On the technical side of things, you’ve got a complete class blogroll (though it is split up), a link to Google Reader, and RSS syndication. Nicely done.
A quick tip on the blue border around the YA! Cast and Google Reader images. In the tag, just add border=”0″ to make the blue border go away (and to get the cool drop shadow effect in full).
Now, on to the important stuff: your topic is fantastic, and you are already discovering some excellent sources. I look forward to reading your blog this semester. I’d even encourage you to read “problem novels” with your literature circle, if possible.
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