I started out clean, but I'm jaded

A post from an LJ friend got me started on a wiki-style link fest focused mainly on YA literature and the stereotype/rape culture of the "bad romance" that seems to be more and more common. As a woman, and as both an avid reader and an unabashed fan of Young Adult Literature, these blogs and posts have had me sitting here thinking and raging, and occasionally trying not to cry.

I want to sit here and write out a nice long post about my thoughts on the matter, but that seems pointless when there's been so much written so well about it all ready. Suffice it to say that this is some powerful stuff one way or another. Lots to do with sexism and rape-culture, language is a factor as well.

First up, Bad Romance (or, YA & Rape Culture) Good read all around, very thought provoking. Make sure to check out the attached links, as well as some of the comments.

Secondly, Fugitivus has the post that almost made me cry.

I'm angry. A little heartbroken. Mostly just angry that this stuff keeps happening. That these girls keep buying these books--that their parents let them. That this is...normal. I'm not someone who really believes in what a lot of people would consider traditional romance, not even by a long shot. But I'm no stranger to abusive relationships, and I'm more familiar than I'd like to be with the culture of silence and acceptance that pervades society.

So just. Give a read. This is bigger by far than YA fiction, but that's symptom of a much larger problem. Be aware. Be cognizant.