This week’s theme: Choose a political or social issue that matters to you. Find several books addressing that issue; they don’t have to books you’ve read, just books you might like to read. Using images (of the book covers or whatever you feel illustrates your topic) present these books in your blog.
The organization that I work for has been lobbying over the past few years - unsuccessfully - for some legislation in our state protecting young people from dating violence. Until we can convince our illustrious leaders that this is, indeed, an important issue for the safety and well-being of our young people, we will just continue with our education efforts, including promotion of National Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Week.
These are my book picks on this important issue - three young adult novels, one of which I've already read (and loved!), an autobiographical account of an abusive relationship, and a non-fiction guide for parents.
Speak
Just Listen
Inexcusable
Not Another Sarah: Avoiding and Escaping Abuse
Saving Beauty From the Beast: How to Protect Your Daughter From an Unhealthy Relationship
By the way, I've heard Sarah Southerland speak about her experience as an abused wife - a situation that should have been recognized before her marriage - and she has created the NAS Foundation "to provide and promote Action Campaigns to improve Public Awareness of Healthy Relationships and Prevention of Abuse and Sexual Assault."
I wonder if you have read anything that helps young girls(non fiction) more clearly understand what is not acceptable.
ReplyDeleteThis is an interesting topic. Thanks.
This is a theme that's been on my mind lately. I already wanted to read Speak, but now I'll look into the others too. Thanks for the recommendations.
ReplyDeleteSomehow I don't think evn if you make teenagers read such books, they are going to listen. At that age hormone rules, nothing else..
ReplyDeleteChild Abuse
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ReplyDeleteseal beach: i haven't yet read anything that specifically fits your question, but some of the links in my post might direct you to something helpful.
ReplyDeletenymeth: thanks for stopping by! i hope you'll like Speak. i thought it was amazing.
gautami: i couldn't disagree more! rape is about power, not sex, and other dating violence is likewise about something other than hormones. both boys and girls can benefit from educational efforts about what is acceptable and appropriate behavior and what is not. further, parents and other concerned adults need to be able to recognize the warning signs and intervene when necessary.
Alison -
ReplyDeleteGreat topic and I'm going to pass your book picks along to my niece. She wants to work in a school setting, so they seem like they'd be a perfect fit for her.
I can't tell you how frustrated I get when I deal with college aged women who don't understand that it is never acceptable for their boyfriends to hit them. And the scary part is that it seems to more common, not less.
cjh
Such an important topic. I'm going to add Inexcusable to my wishlist.
ReplyDelete