Adults should be embarrassed to read young adult novels
Young adult novels are not serious enough for adult readers. Many writers are creating dull and uninspired stories that underestimate their demographics intelligence. Adults should be ashamed to read them, and teenagers deserve better.
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The Argument
Marketed at a demographic of twelve to eighteen-year-olds, some critics believe adults should be embarrassed to read novels aimed at adolescents.[1]
In some people's opinions, young adult novels often feature idealized romance, trope characters, lazy storytelling, and overdone themes. One critic goes as far as saying 90% of young adult novels are crap.[2]
Another critic believes young adult fiction is becoming dull and uninspired through its simplified prose. They criticized writers who simplify narrative, claiming it underestimates the intelligence of teenage readers and that they deserve better. [3]
Children's writer Geraldine McCaughrean echoes this sentiment. During her 2018 Carnegie CLIP awards speech, McCaughrean spoke out about censorship of vocabulary in young adult novels .[4] McCaughrean, backed by the librarians on the Carnegie judging panel, argued stories with rich language and complex themes are vital in helping children develop their understanding of the world .[5]
These proponents believe most young adult fiction is not good enough for its demographic, least of all adult readers.
Counter arguments
Despite its teenage market, a Nielsen survey estimated 80% of young adult fiction is bought by adults over the age of 25.[6]
Many young adult stories are coming of age (Bildungsroman) novels. Coming of age novels focus on the moral or psychological development of their protagonist as they transition from childhood to adulthood.[7]This evokes nostalgia in adult readers who are reminded of their own teenage years.
Young adult novels often have a happy ending and are full of hope. Comfort can be found from reading uncomplicated prose, where the protagonist overcomes hardship to find their place in their fictional world. Young adult novels can offer adults escapism from the complexities of the real world.[8]
Proponents
Premises
Rejecting the premises
References
- https://slate.com/culture/2014/06/against-ya-adults-should-be-embarrassed-to-read-childrens-books.html
- https://www.theguardian.com/books/booksblog/2016/aug/29/90-of-ya-is-crap-the-debate-that-dominated-the-edinburgh-book-festival
- https://studybreaks.com/culture/the-problems-with-young-adult-literature/
- https://usborne.com/blog/inside-usborne/geraldine-mccaughrean-winner-of-the-cilip-carnegie-medal-2018/
- https://www.theguardian.com/books/2018/jun/18/carnegie-medal-winner-slams-publishers-easy-reading-geraldine-mccaughrean
- https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/childrens/childrens-industry-news/article/68083-nielsen-summit-shows-the-data-behind-the-children-s-book-boom.html
- https://literarydevices.net/bildungsroman/
- https://keepingupwiththepenguins.com/why-are-adults-reading-ya-books/#:~:text=Young%20adult%20books%20often%20remind,at%20one%20time%20or%20another.