At what age should kids read Twilight?

Suzi - posted on 05/06/2013

Whether we like it or not, the puberty age is going down and we need to ditch our unproven, ideological ideas about "child brain development" in order to ready them for it.

It's not easy, I know - I have a 9-year-old, I know her time is coming and I'm dreading it - but while I can tell myself a load of "convenient" reasons why "she's not mature enough" for any vague sex-education and/or adult-relationship-eductaion at home, I know at the same time that I AM wrong to be thinking this way, and that I am most likely cruelly underestimating her just like my parents did with me.

It's because of this parental confusion and anxiety that books like the Twilight series - and, hell, even Judy Blume - have a valuable part to play in educating girls in this age bracket.

So, now that I've stopped and thought about it, I would have no qualms about my daughter reading Twilight, let alone a 12 year old.

And this starts up another debate - I'm going to try to keep it brief. I can tell you from my experience, trying to stop a 12 year old from "growing up too fast", through censorship, is very wrong - it's going to cause psychological distress lasting for decades as they try to reconcile the (sexual, behavioral, psychological) realities of human existence with the lies their parents told them in order to control them. It's this "cognitive dissonance" that's making adolescent girls miserable, not exposure to porn (which frankly has more realism encoded in it than the moral codes of most parents).

Lara - posted on 05/05/2013

Hi I do agree with you but when my daughter was 8 my husband bought her the first twilight book because she wasn't allowed to watch the movies. Ever since she's been hooked on it. She's now 11. She explained to me that no one in her class likes twilight.
The first book is really good we both enjoyed it, the second and third both equally as good but the 4th book is not for children. She's seen all the movies and has all the books including the 4th but excluding the DVD of breaking dawn part 1. Me and my husband both thought it had inappropriate material in it for a 10 year old at the time. However the 4th book doesn't include any sexual content but goes into great detail about the birth scene. I think she has grown up a bit too fast with vampires and werewolves and teenage love but now she wants the hunger games, warm bodies, beautiful creature and the mortal instruments. This will be fun. I think every parent is different its your choice if u want your daughter to read the twilight saga. My daughter is very mature for her age a bit like bella so it depends on her maturity level. I blame my husband for this.

Shawnn - posted on 04/19/2013

I'd encourage them to read something that has a little more depth of story to it...I tried to read it, and it was a very poorly written series...

Ty - posted on 04/17/2013

16

Ty - posted on 04/17/2013

16

Nancy - posted on 04/12/2013

If a 12 year old wants to read it -- good for her!!! You should be proud o have a daughter who want to read!!! It does not teach girls that they "need" a boyfriend, the lead character is a smart, independent girl who had actually refrained from the teen drama scene and finally fell in love with the right boy - or, rather, vampire! They wait until their wedding night for sex -- try to find that in most teen dramas!! It is a fun, appealing and innocent series!

Lea - posted on 04/11/2013

The first three books are fine, but I suggest waiting before you let her read the fourth. It has sexual content in the honeymoon scene that may be reserved for 13+ Honestly, the books were not to my liking, (teaches young girls that you need to have a boyfriend, are nothing without one, that they will all be perfect gentlemen, Bella actually jumps off a cliff because her boyfriend left her, her life only revolves around him, etc.) However, if you want her to draw her own conclusions (which is perfectly fine) then I say go for it :)

Lucy - posted on 04/11/2013

These books are not sexual at all so please get this out of your head the author does not describe anything more than a kiss I think it's ok to start letting your children read them at 11 or 12 depending on their maturity level if you don't think your child is yet mature enough than I would wait till about 13 or 14. But as I say my ten year old who is very soon to be 11 is getting all the books for her birthday because she is a very mature and responsible child and I myself trust that the book is appropriate because there is some reassurance at the fact that my older daughter who is now sixteen has read all the books and seen all the films she started reading them at thirteen as at that time she was not as mature as my 10 year old is now.

Sharon - posted on 01/04/2013

My suggestion is to read the book yourself (and possibly see the movie) before you decide. Each child has their own maturity level and the 1st book is truly a "love story" but it does develope into much more so it really is up to you to decide. It killed me on opening night at the movies to see so many younger kids when I know I would never allow my 11 year old to see a movie unless I previewed it beforehand especially one that was this "iffy" to begin with.

Coolgirly - posted on 01/04/2013

well my child also want to read twilight. she can read it but new moon and breaking dawn is little sexual and when she gave birth to her baby. but i would prefer that she should read this book at 13 and above. below them is too sexual as you know.

Barbara - posted on 11/15/2012

I like the fact that your daughter came to you and ask permission to read the book. This shows you have communication with your daughter and that you are reading the book together is really wonderful. 12 years old she is at the threshold of becoming an adult. I myself have not read the series (I have 2 boys and starting to read Harry Potter). I would do just what you are doing and read with her or read ahead and let her join in the conversation with her friends.

Audrey - posted on 11/13/2012

I love Twilight! I think that the first book is ok for a 12 year old, and possibly the second, but I think that the third and fourth should wait a little while. The third one talks about "newborn" vampires and there is a battle scene and I think it's a little violent. The fourth makes more sexual references and the birthing scene is quite graphic.

Kenzie - posted on 11/11/2012

yes it would be appropriate for a girl her age to read the twilight series because i have read the books myself and they had maybe 1 or 2 parts that were not so good but okay for a 12 year old to handle but i think she will enjoy the books because i know i have. But it is totally your decision so good luck with everything.



P.S. The author of the books is stephanie myers and maybe you could do some research about her and see some other books she has written.. Good Luck

Ariana - posted on 10/19/2012

I would just be happy your kid is into reading. If you don't get it for her she'll probably just ask her friend to let her borrow it and read it anyway.



Hey, when I was 10 I read my teen sisters romance novels with some pretty explicit scenes... I didn't suddenly start jumping all over people or anything...

Danielle - posted on 10/19/2012

The books were written by a Mormon housewife. Another post said there was sex in the last book, but it isn't like a Harlequin romance. On their honeymoon, they went to bed and woke up with the room a mess. That's it. No details. I think if your 12 year old is "growny" (mature for her age) as I call it, it would be fine for her to read them.

Jen - posted on 10/14/2012

First, if you're not comfortable, you should read the books yourself first. That's what I did. By the time I finished, my daughter had lost interest. And I'm glad. There is some sex in the last book, but to me the bigger issue is that the heroine is a useless, whiny moron completely dependent on a man for happiness, and she treats the people who are kind to her (her father for one) like crap. I found her to be a horrible example and role model. Just my opinion. :)

Neena - posted on 10/14/2012

its for all age groups

Susan - posted on 07/04/2011

I have a 12 year old and I have read the series. I loved it and have read it many times that being said I do not believe my daughter is mature enough to read it. I have let her watch the movies as they are not a detailed as the books and she can cover her eyes during the parts she is not comfortable with.

Amber - posted on 04/20/2010

Are you serious??... ITS FICTION!!!! and they are in LOVE!! when are you not obsessed with someone your in love with? when would you not be jealous of the one you love? Pedophilia??... Imprinting in the book is When you care about someone enough to spend your life making sure they are ok and have a friend and are taken care of and with the hopes of in the future the other person falling in love with you!! there was no pedophilia in the book what so ever!!!

Amber - posted on 04/20/2010

I think 18 is abit steep if you teach your children the morals of life and that Twilight is a FICTION book Eclipse and Breaking Dawn will be water under the bridge!! If your kids are in Public School they already know about sex and drugs by age 12.

Amber - posted on 04/20/2010

I have read the books and there were a few cuss words in it and SLIGHT descriptions of sexual activity in the last book but I think for a 12 year old it would be ok!

Penny - posted on 04/20/2010

Personally I think it should be when the kids are teens as it has teen content in it .



I have watched the movies with my 13 year old and find it ok for her . She has read most of the books and she really has enjoyed them .

Becky - posted on 04/20/2010

My 11 year old has read all of the twilght series there is nothing wrong with any of them so i dont see a problem they are just books my son who hates to read has also read all the books if it gets them to read more power to them some kids wont read anyting unless you force them to let her grow up its ok

Kim - posted on 03/13/2010

I'm glad you posted this question, as I have been wondering about it as well. But my daughter is only NINE - so I'm definitely not ready for her to read it! She has mentioned it a few times since her older cousins are reading it...but hasn't asked yet. I will be reading them first as well.

Gina - posted on 03/13/2010

My whole family love the books, I let my 11 year old read the first two books but not the last two. I think she's too young.Have you read the books? Thats the only way you will know if your daughter should read them because every child is different what scares a 12 year old might not scare a 9 year old [it is a vampire story]

Roxanne - posted on 03/12/2010

My son is 9 and has read the Twilight and New Moon books. I think that you should as I did, read it first and then make an ultimate decision if you want her to read it or not. Good luck!

Samantha - posted on 03/11/2010

I have read the books and the author has obviously made it clear to wait until marriage until sex. The only thing I would worry about is the violence. Honestly, it's based on YOUR daughter's maturity level. The author never explains more than kissing in the books. Please get it out of your heads that it is sexual. It's not. Being a kid is about exploring boundaries. I agree with you Brynnen that you should read it with her, if she has any questions she can ask you. I think that is a special thing to do with your daughter.

Cheresa - posted on 03/06/2010

My daughter is 12 & she Hated reading until she borrowed this book from a friend. Now she LOVES reading & has read every book in the series at least twice. It feels good to see her NOT want to put a book down. Your daughter is probably not exagerating about being left out of conversations because its ALL my daughter & her friends talk about.

Amy - posted on 02/28/2010

My 8 year old wants to see the movies and so far we have not let him. I've seen the two movies and read the other two books. After the first I thought sure we could let him see it, but after reading to the end I think they should wait at least until they know about sex. The way Stephanie Meyer writes it, it's not bad in comparison to other books and they waited until they got married. You know your'e daughter best; read them first and then decide if she's ready for that. The fact that they put sex "scenes" in the last book was my big hang up for letting my son watch the movies. I think for older kids, the fact that they wouldn't until they were married makes it some what respectable. Just my thoughts :)

Sylvia - posted on 02/27/2010

I don't think kids should ever read those books, because the writing is crappy, the characters are cardboard at best and wildly, horribly inconsistent at worst, the plots are idiotic (you know, the kind where a misunderstanding that could be resolved with five sentences of dialogue is instead dragged on pointlessly and implausibly for five chapters), and the author glorifies emotionally and physically abusive relationships as "true love". Blecch.



However, I don't believe in censoring kids' reading ... so I'm just hoping that by the time my daughter, who's now seven and a half, is old enough to be interested in a book about kissing LOL, she'll have read enough books that are actually good to recognize the Twilight books for the utter rubbish they are, and will either not bother picking them up at all or will read the first chapter, throw the book against the wall, and move on to something better.



I certainly wouldn't ever give those books to a kid of any age, or encourage anyone to read them.

Sheri - posted on 02/25/2010

Definitely read it first then decide for your self. I personally love all 4 books, but was not terribly happy to find out my stepdaughter's mother has allowed them to watch the movie (ages 8 & 9 at that time, and the movie is a PG-13) However, she won't allow them to read the book (which is much tamer than the first movie. Such is life, at least I know enough about the series to open dialogue with them about it...It definitely depends on the child's maturity - as they are all different! Good luck in making the best choice for you and yours!!

Jillian - posted on 02/23/2010

I have read the series quite a few times, and I also have a 12 yr old, but he's a boy. My son has dyslexia and has always had a very hard time reading, in other words he hates it. We watched Twilight when it first came out on dvd and we went to the store and bought the series. I made him a deal, if he read New Moon before it came out in theaters I would take him to the midnight show, which he did, and we went. We had a blast. He has started reading Eclipse, and I'm not sure if I'm going to let him read Breaking Dawn or not. I hope I helped a little bit. By the way, we got him a puppy, and her name is Bella.lol

Crystal - posted on 02/23/2010

I think that you should read the book for yourself if you are concerned and then decide what is right for you. I think that it is ok if a 12 year old read twilight. maybe not the fourth book breaking dawn but it all comes down to what you think is right for your child. you should read it and then decide.

Moya - posted on 02/23/2010

My 11 year old boy read Twilight and loved it. He is a real boy boy but very empathetic. I was delighted to see he was interested in a love story and like that person below I would say he'd be way past it by 13 or 14. I read Virginia Andrews awful series Flowers in the attic when I was 12-they were being passed around the class. It didn't warp my mind though as a parent I would regard that sort of book as being highly inappropriate and would HATE to see my kids reading it at any age -mainly because its pure rubbish!

Let her read Twilight-its for her age group and actually deals with the whole temptation thing using the Vampire thing as a metaphor for sexual abstinance. No harm dealing with the sex issue-its HOW you deal with it that matters!

Abby - posted on 02/22/2010

As for the comment that it's not so much the sexual content as it is the teenage relationships, let me just say that unless a daughter is sheltered from other popular things, they are watching and absorbing emotional tension and teenage relationships every time they watch their favorite shows: Hannah Montana, iCarly, Suite Life of Zach and Cody, Wizards of Waverly Place, etc...

You can hardly turn on the tv anymore without seeing some sort of relationship being depicted. The key is to make sure your child is firmly grounded in what is right and good when it comes to more mature emotion.

Although my daughter is 9 and her father and I allow her to experience preteen and teenage material through books and television, that is not saying she's not still an innocent. We don't throw her into anything rated R, we don't shove smut and drug shows in her face. We simply allow her to read or view material that she shows interest in. Kids are growing up much faster these days, and I feel it does them a disservice to keep things from them. If we, as parents, can show them what real life is like, and prepare them for everything that's out there, they are less likely to go overboard on new experiences when they're older.

Rebecca - posted on 02/22/2010

My daughter is 11 and has read the entire series. It all depends on their reading level. I have never read it my self but most of the kids in my daughters class has read them and she is in fifth grade.I did ask a few parents about it before I let her read it and I also spoke with my daughters teacher also to make sure she is reading at that level. She read the entire series in 4 days! She loved them now I'm curious so I am going to read them too!!

Buffy - posted on 02/22/2010

I have read all the books. I have an 8yr old and a 10 yr old and both are begging me to read them. They are already talking about themin Elementary school. I will not let my 8 yr old read them yet, but I am thinking about letting my 10 yr old read the first three and see how he feels and what questions he has before letting him read Breaking Dawn. The series is great and I have to say that Stephanie did a great job about making the sex part of the book after they are married and then showing the husband's love for his wife and his concern about not wanting to hurt her. In my opinion a twelve yr old who is mature should be able to read this series entirely without a problem.

Kimberly - posted on 02/21/2010

I have read all four of the Twilight books. As far as age goes for reading them it really depends on the maturity of your daughter. The first two books were really good but the last two were a bit more dramatic and a little more violent. If you are reading them along with her you can answer questions that might come up. All in all I think it is a good series and I think it is great that you are taking time to read it with your daughter. I love reading with my kids who are still very young (the oldest is 6).

Shanda - posted on 02/21/2010

My 9 yr. old wants to read it. I've read all 4 of the books and they are pretty innocent. I told her she can read the first 3 but not the last one due to sexual content.

Ruby - posted on 02/21/2010

oh no! Twilight is pushing it for 15 - 16 yr olds. I've read the first two books, and although she is and remains a virgin in them, She is still sneaking a boy in her room and they are kissing, as well as, fighting with her father... she is displaying behavior that no parent (i know) will tolerate. And yes some people will say it's just a fantasy book, but kids really pick up and retain what they read, thus the reason for text books.

Shannon - posted on 02/20/2010

Most people will tell you that the book are really innocent which they pretty much are. The only problem that I personally had with them was in the Breaking Dawn book. It does not go into detail about Bella and edwards sexual experiences, but Bella does wake up the next morning severly bruised. She glosses it all over as alright because she doesnt remember being hurt, even though she has hand shaped bruises all over. To me it could be interpreted that it is alright for someone to hurt you as long as you love them, so if you choose to allow her to read them just make sure that you talk to her about it and ensure her that it is not ok for anyone to hurt her...ever!

Patty - posted on 02/20/2010

Forget the sexual tension. My biggest concern with the books is that they send the message you should give up everything for "love". I wish the characters were in their mid to late 20's, not 17. Teenage love is always new, exciting, obsessive and passionate. I don't want my girls to think that feeling that way means they should give up their education, their future, their life, for a guy. I let my 13 year old read the books, but discussed the fact that they are fiction and written for escapism. No girl should give up everything for a boy. Nor should they believe that the perfect Mr. Edward Cullen is out there waiting for them and that life will be perfect once they are together.

Natalie - posted on 02/19/2010

your daughter is almost a teen also. i read the books and watch the movies, i think there is nothing wrong with someone of your daughters age or even a few years younger reading them. I used to read stephen king books growing up also. My 6 year old doesnt really understand whats going on, but she loves the twilight movies.

Nikki - posted on 02/19/2010

SPOILER ALERT!!!!!!!! Sorry, but if you want to know these are the facts.

the first 2 books aren't that bad for kids, but the second 2 are definitely not meant for younger than 14. Unless you have had the "sex talk". Book 3 is when the word Sex is used for the first time and they(Edward and Bella) actually have sex in book 4. Now granted they are married. but not something you want your child reading about before you've had "the Talk"

Catherine - posted on 02/19/2010

i personally think that the series is pretty PG there are no discriptive words about what happens in the "love" scenes and it is more about how the bella feels emotionally not physically...i think 12-13 yrs is ok for twilight and new moon even eclipse...breaking dawn there are some scenes that are a little racey but these parts happen when Bella is married and in a steady relationship. i think if you strip away the vampires and werewolves; it is a true love story with morals...girl meets boy, girl and boy fall in love, girl and boy get married, married couple have baby

Catherine - posted on 02/19/2010

i personally think that the series is pretty PG there are no discriptive words about what happens in the "love" scenes and it is more about how the bella feels emotionally not physically...i think 12-13 yrs is ok for twilight and new moon even eclipse...breaking dawn there are some scenes that are a little racey but these parts happen when Bella is married and in a steady relationship. i think if you strip away the vampires and werewolves; it is a true love story with morals...girl meets boy, girl and boy fall in love, girl and boy get married, married couple have baby

Beth - posted on 02/18/2010

I have read all four books and it is my belief that a child under fifteen should not read it without an adult. I really enjoyed the books but I believe they are inappropriate for children under fifteen. I think you took the right stance in reading it with your child. The first two are probably not too bad for children under fifteen, but the last two deal with some mature subject matter. It would be hard for a twelve year old to understand i believe. My suggestion for the last two would be for you too read them first and decide whether you would allow your child to read those.

Charlotte - posted on 02/18/2010

Hi. My daughter wants me to buy her the whole collection. I refuse. I took her to see the moive, and now i regret it. Yes the one guy is hot, but it's about a teenaged girl who is in love with a vampire. I don't find it at all approperate for any one over the age of 18.

Leah - posted on 02/18/2010

Why don't you read it first. You know your child's maturity better then anyone else. By reading it yourself, and any other book she might ask about, you can make a better informed decision. Otherwise she can get the book from a friend and read it away from home.

Rebecca - posted on 02/18/2010

my 5 year old son became interested in the twilight saga when i was reading the books last year, he was 4. I read the books and saw that there was nothing, in my opinion, wrong with the story lines plots and so on so i have allowed him to see the two movies that have came out after viewing them myself first. He loves the movies, he is team jacob by the way, he thinks the werewolves are cool. I don't think this would be inappropriate for anyone under the age of 4 as long as the child has a pretty good idea of what real and make believe is and as long as they aren't scared of good vampires and good werewolfs.