tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-43753740461155444632011-04-21T14:50:02.861-05:00Science teacher's review of adolescent literature with comments (hopefully) from other students and teachers like you.Mrs. Steinerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04845687718415790342noreply@blogger.comBlogger11100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4375374046115544463.post-7138943481565888642008-07-20T18:22:00.000-05:002008-07-20T18:55:30.951-05:00<div align="left"><span style="font-family:arial;"><strong>Title</strong>: Twilight</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"><strong>Author</strong>: Stephanie Meyer</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"><a href="http://www.stepheniemeyer.com/twilight.html">official website</a></span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;"><strong>Rating</strong>: One out of Five Stars</span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;"><strong>Recommended</strong> <strong>for</strong>: Only people interested in looking at the characteristics of abuse and knowing how to avoid it.</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"><strong>Review</strong>: Although I couldn't put the book down, and I was excited to read what so many students recommended so highly, I was deeply disturbed by the book. I know that it captures really well the intensity and <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">absorption</span> that is teenage love, but the aspects of an abusive relationship made me worry about the message that it would send to students. Below is a resource on the characteristics of abusive relationships (not all abuse is physical- a relationship can be emotionally abusive as well). The characteristics that worry me most about Edward and Bella are his <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">possessiveness</span>, jealousy (like toward Mike), his controlling her (physically, mentally, and emotionally), his isolating her from her friends and family by monopolizing her time, he is violent and loses his temper easily (think about the incident when he follows her to the beach and she gets lost- she has to calm him down so that he doesn't kill the guys- it is NEVER good when you have to try to keep your boy or girl friend from committing murder), he doesn't respect her boundaries (watching her sleep, tricking her into going to prom), doesn't stop putting her in danger because of his emotional needs, blames "how irresistable she is" for his continuing to put her in danger, he rages easily, and finally, part of her knows that she shouldn't be with him- and she is anyway.</span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;">If you're interested in other media with unhealthy relationships and what happens I recommend the classic movie Gaslight. It is really good, <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">suspenseful</span>, exciting, and well made. It shows how manipulative an unhealthy relationship can be and what can happen as it develops over time.</span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;">Characteristics of an abusive relationship (Source: <a href="http://www.recovery-man.com/abusive/abusive_signs.htm">http://www.recovery-man.com/abusive/abusive_signs.htm</a>)</span><br /></div><ul><li>You may be in an abusive relationship if he or she: </li><li>Is jealous or possessive toward you. (Jealousy is the primary symptom of abusive relationships; it is also a core component of <a href="http://www.recovery-man.com/mainwebsite_html/sexual.htm">Sexual Addictions</a> and <a href="http://www.recovery-man.com/loveaddict.htm">Love Addiction</a>.)</li><li>Tries to control you by being very bossy or demanding.</li><li>Tries to isolate you by demanding you cut off social contacts and friendships.</li><li>Is violent and / or loses his or her temper quickly.</li><li>Pressures you sexually, demands sexual activities you are not comfortable with.</li><li>Abuses drugs or alcohol.</li><li>Claims you are responsible for his or her emotional state. (This is a core diagnostic criteria for <a href="http://www.recovery-man.com/coda/index.htm">Codependency</a>.) </li><li>Blames you when he or she mistreats you.</li><li>Has a history of bad relationships.</li><li>Your family and friends have warned you about the person or told you that they are concerned for your safety or emotional well being.</li><li>You frequently worry about how he or she will react to things you say or do.</li><li>Makes "jokes" that shame, humiliate, demean or embarrass you, weather privately or around family and friends.</li><li>Your partner grew up witnessing an abusive parental relationship, and/or was abused as a child.</li><li>Your partner "<a href="http://www.recovery-man.com/abusive/rage_vs_anger.htm#Rage">rages</a>" when they feel hurt, shame, fear or loss of control. </li><li>Both parties in abusive relationships may develop or progress in drug or alcohol dependence in a (dysfunctional) attempt to cope with the pain.</li><li>You leave and then return to your partner repeatedly, against the advice of your friends, family and loved ones. </li><li>You have trouble ending the relationship, even though you know inside it's the right thing to do. </li></ul><p><br /><a name="TACTICS"></a>Does the person you love...<br />• constantly keep track of your time?<br />• act jealous and possessive?<br />• accuse you of being unfaithful or flirting?<br />• discourage your relationships with friends and family?<br />• prevent or discourage you from working, interacting with friends or attending school?<br />• constantly criticize or belittle you?<br />• control all finances and force you to account for what you spend? (Reasonable cooperative budgeting excepted.)<br />• humiliate you in front of others? (Including "jokes" at your expense.)<br />• destroy or take your personal property or sentimental items?<br />• have affairs?<br />• threaten to hurt you, your children or pets? Threaten to use a weapon?<br />• push, hit, slap, punch, kick, or bite you or your children?<br />• force you to have sex against your will, or demand sexual acts you are uncomfortable with?</p><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4375374046115544463-713894348156588864?l=shorewoodscience.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Mrs. Steinerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04845687718415790342noreply@blogger.com0