Rosh’s Reviews > Home Has No Borders: A Collection of South Asian Stories > Status Update

Well, it seems to be YA not MG. Mild swearing and a little bit of intimacy can definitely fit in there. Though going by what you say here, this book does seem to push those boundaries a bit.

As for what you should do: listen to your heart :)

Honestly I grew up decades ago, before I had regular access to the internet (though it was available in dial up form) and I knew the swear words and about sex. Perhaps some of the words are a bit strong, sure, but I promise you most readers at that age will be familiar with such. Especially if they’ve been online their whole lives, but even before there was stuff like hidden dirty magazines.

I'm thinking AJ is probably right, Rosh. Teenagers probably come in contact with much worse. They did a social experiment for a TV show last week. The question of the week was: should children use a certain popular short video platform? So they gave a group of 13 year olds a smartphone. After that week, they asked the kids if they saw something bad during that week. All the kids said no. Then they showed the parents a compilation of the clips their kids saw. The parents were horrified to say the least. People started crying and walked away because they just couldn’t take it anymore.

Thanks for your helpful thoughts, Thibault and AJ! I mean, I do know that teens know these words and all. But it is so awkward to read such things in a book meant for 12-14 year olds. That too, one promising an authentic South Asian depiction. But I guess I have to open myself to the times and accept that written content will reflect reality.

Thibault: Your second comment is just shocking to me as a parent. :(

Rosh ~catching up slowly~ wrote: "Your second comment is just shocking to me as a parent. :("

It was a shock to a lot of people here too, because no one knew it was that bad. And it did what it had to do and that's kickstart a proper debate.

I took a "writing for young readers" class at uni that was taught by what we would now term a YA writer. She said that you HAD to include language and sex or the kids wouldn't take you seriously. Language, sex, drugs, suicide, mental illness, bad divorces....you have to include it all or they won't pay attention. They'll think you think they're babies. (She was writing in the 1980s, so it's nothing new)

Rosh, I’m desi too - British-Indian diasporan - and those things were very much a part of growing up even with my cousins of a similar age.

Maybe, teens cuss and have sex - better that they can see themselves in books than look elsewhere imo

Maybe I'm the odd one out but I don't think it's too conservative to think the way you are thinking. I am also an odd one out in that my kids don't get phones until they are 16 and don't have social media until they can pay for their phones and are an adult. So, I have more conservative ideas and also really guard the eyes and minds of my children. It's certainly true that many teens are using foul language and are sexually active.

I am like you. Just....why? why? Thanks for the heads up, I will avoid this.

Is YA getting darker than adult fiction these days? While it seems realistic, I can't help but worry what it implies about the current situation. :(

Berengaria wrote: "I took a "writing for young readers" class at uni that was taught by what we would now term a YA writer. She said that you HAD to include language and sex or the kids wouldn't take you seriously. L..."

That's interesting and disappointing, B. :/
I'm curious to know. What was the age of the trainer? Was she close to YA in age? Also, was she a (moderately) successful YA writer?

A J wrote: "Rosh, I’m desi too - British-Indian diasporan - and those things were very much a part of growing up even with my cousins of a similar age."
Mai wrote: "Maybe, teens cuss and have sex - better that they can see themselves in books than look elsewhere imo"

True that, but isn't it also a two-edged sword? Should books reflect teen reality or will teens who read this kind of content begin copying the same behaviour in real life as they would assume that "cool teens" are supposed to behave like this? The quandary that exists for movies also applies here: does art copy real life or vice versa?

Crystal wrote: "Maybe I'm the odd one out but I don't think it's too conservative to think the way you are thinking. I am also an odd one out in that my kids don't get phones until they are 16 and don't have socia..."

Jenny wrote: "I am like you. Just....why? why? Thanks for the heads up, I will avoid this."

Thanks, Crystal and Jenny! I hated being seen as the only prude so far. When books incorporate such scenes, they make those teens who do not indulge in similar behaviour either feel uncool or wanting to try the same in their life. Why normalise sexual intimacy at an age when they aren't even supposed to be sexually active?
Crystal, it was only on reading your comment that I realised one thing. Of all the people who have responded (excluding AJ as I am unaware of his personal situation), those who are single/childless are okay with the idea (except Srivalli) and those who have children are opposed to the idea. Perhaps we as parents are more protective of our kids when it comes to adult content?

Srivalli wrote: "Is YA getting darker than adult fiction these days? While it seems realistic, I can't help but worry what it implies about the current situation. :("

Same, Sri. Are we trying to normalise such things by inserting them casually in teen books? I would not have complained about mere kisses, but this story went much beyond (though not into explicit sex, thank heavens.)
I tested one para (not the most scandalous one) on younger A at home. She just said 'Ewww!' and shove my Kindle back at me. So all good here! 😂

Rosh ~catching up slowly~ wrote: "Berengaria wrote: "I'm curious to know. What was the age of the trainer? Was she close to YA in age? Also, was she a (moderately) successful YA writer?"

As far as I recall, she was in her late 40s - early 50s, perhaps older, and had a number of works published. I'd never heard of her, but she was the Visiting Writer for that semester, so I suppose she had some success to get the job.

I agree with Srivalli about it being dark. Even back in the 80s when I was that age, the YA (or "teen fic" as it was called then) was very disturbing. So disturbing, I didn't want to read it. Suicide, terminal illness, broken families, rape, domestic violence, alcoholism. It was all so pessimistic and dark and yucky. (and not in a good way dark)

Luckily a librarian noticed and told me to just go straight over to the adult section. Wow, a lot more palatable and not nearly as disturbing!

So, this isn't a new thing, or at least it wasn't for the American market. In fact, the YA today is in general a lot more varied and interesting than it was back then.

Your observation is why I have become more wary of YA titles in the past few years. The language and suggestive situations are too much for this old-fashioned Gen Xer. 🤗

Berengaria wrote: "So, this isn't a new thing, or at least it wasn't for the American market. In fact, the YA today is in general a lot more varied and interesting than it was back then."

Oh yes, I do agree with that. And I am somehow even okay with dark and disturbing content in YA books as many kids do go through similar experiences. But a book that shows negative behaviour in a positive light will probably be a red flag for me no matter what the reality. :/

Darla wrote: "Your observation is why I have become more wary of YA titles in the past few years. The language and suggestive situations are too much for this old-fashioned Gen Xer. 🤗"

I am glad you understand and feel the same, Darla. :( I don't even opt for YA titles unless they hold some strong appeal. (The South Asian factor in this one, for instance.) I don't think I'll ever be on board with such content in teen books. :/