Does The Twilight Series Promote Abstinence?
Posted by: Amelia McDonell-Parry
Filed in:
sex
1:30PM, Monday November 3rd 2008
I’m going to have to go with “Yes, sort of.” Being that Twilight‘s author, Stephanie Meyers, is a devout Mormon, I didn’t really expect to crack open the first book and get some vampire erotica. Add to that the fact that the books’ target audience is supposed to be teenagers, and you’re going to be disappointed if you wanted a blow-by-blow description of how blood suckers are in the sack. You’ll have to watch “True Blood” for that.
The New York Times did a story this weekend on the impending release of the “Twilight” film and discussed the fact that the books are closer to the romance genre than horror or sci-fi, but also are careful to not “promote” teen sex. While Judy Blume’s novels certainly didn’t feature rampant sex scenes starring Margaret or Deenie, I always felt that they illustrated the curiosity and fear that teenagers feel about sex. “Twilight” takes that one step further and definitely seems to urge “waiting.” In the book (and I assume the movie), vampire hero Edward Cullen can’t bone his precious Bella because he’s afraid he’ll get so wrapped up in the lustiness that he’ll, like, devour her. Bella is the one who seems to want to go further, with him always stopping things before they get too hot (or even barely naked—I swear, these two don’t even go to second base!). Writes Terrence Rafferty:
“Bella is, recognizably, every teenager who is terrified of going all the way, and Edward, less grounded in reality, is a fantasy incarnation of that scared girl’s ideal boyfriend, infinitely — you might say eternally — patient with her trepidation. (And have I mentioned that he’s extremely good-looking?)”
Obviously, this is an important point—the Twilight novels, I hope, are not supposed to be realistic, while Judy Blume’s novels were intended to reflect the average teen girl experience. That said, the borderline obsession many teen girls—and twentysomething women!—feel towards the series has got to make you wonder if they are taking lessons away for their own real lives, even if the potential of falling madly in love with a “devastatingly, inhumanly beautiful” vampire is pretty minimal. So, yeah, the books definitely do send an “it’s better to wait” message, but it also might encourage some unrealistic expectations of future boyfriends and admirers—that boys won’t pressure for sex, that they can and should be relied on for life-saving, etc. But, frankly, soap operas did that to me before the “Twilight” series existed, and Disney movies did it before that, so how is this news?
Ultimately and selfishly, I’m totally disappointed “Twilight” doesn’t have any sex. I’m nearly 29, I know what men are really like when it comes to sex, and while the scenes between Edward and Bella are hot in that totally teasing sort of way, I would have liked to have read about them doing it. Don’t laugh at me. I’m single and hard up right now. [NY Times]
TheFrisky.com is part of the Turner Sports and Entertainment Digital Network
Rebecca
wrote on November 3 2008 @ 01:43 pm: [report]
While not explicit, there is sex in the 4th book. That’s all i’ll say for fear of spoilers, which suck.
lilo
wrote on November 3 2008 @ 01:44 pm: [report]
Amelia, I’m so with you. I didn’t realize there was no sex in Twilight and kept waiting and waiting. Kind of a tease!
Annika Harris
wrote on November 3 2008 @ 01:52 pm: [report]
I just bought Twilight. Thanks for letting me know there is no sex. Now I won’t have to wait in vain.
Amelia
wrote on November 3 2008 @ 01:54 pm: [report]
I want to say though, and maybe it is because I am soooo totally lacking in a sex life right now, but even the teasing is insanely hot. Of course, that could be because the whole time I am picturing that hottie Robert Pattinson and he could be chewing on a pencil and I’d be gasping for breath.
@Rebecca Convince me not to skip ahead!
mo
wrote on November 3 2008 @ 02:10 pm: [report]
there is no sex in the first 3 books but there are some parts in the third book that are close. and there is some sex in the 4th book.
Rebecca
wrote on November 3 2008 @ 02:34 pm: [report]
Amelia, don’t skip. It’s worth the read, even when you don’t understand certain things, it actually comes together in the end. And the last book won’t be as meaningful if you miss the 2nd or 3rd. Set aside a weekend and just read all in order. You’ll thank me later.
Amelia
wrote on November 3 2008 @ 02:59 pm: [report]
@Rebecca Well I read the first one on Saturday and ran out and bought the second, which I bet I’ll finish this week. I kind of want to savor though.
I Punched A Werewolf in the Face
wrote on November 3 2008 @ 06:23 pm: [report]
Ah, I love it!
You’re not imagining it, the teasing IS very hot. Especially when you envision RPattz as Edward. Things get even more hot & heavy in the third book. By that time, you’ll be dying for Edward to get over it already!
A few things I like about the series is that it treats Bella’s sexuality as something completely normal and the fact that she is NOT the keeper of Edward’s morality. I found it refreshing that it is HE who stop her!
Wendilynn
wrote on November 3 2008 @ 07:56 pm: [report]
I’ve been divorced for 5 years, I don’t have a boyfriend and at this point, the oversexed males I have dated don’t incline me to want to sleep with any of them. I’m in my mid 30’s and am very tired of men whining because I don’t feel like taking them to bed on our second date. Reading Twilight was a wonderful escape into a relationship where you can just enjoy being aroused while learning about someone. Don’t get me wrong, sex is great, but how many times do people jump in the sack and then after dating two weeks realize they really don’t know anything about the jerk they’ve been screwing. I loved the sexual tension of the books, I like that Edward and Bella are responsible for their own feelings and they are frank about their attraction and why, for whatever reasons they aren’t rushing things but are enjoying getting to know each other. And I’ll continue to crack up at Bella waking up to bitten pillows on her honeymoon. *naughty laughter*
Natalie
wrote on November 4 2008 @ 10:07 am: [report]
When I discovered this series I read through them very quickly and absolutely loved them. Yet, I was highly disappointed that I could never discover exactly how sex worked for vampires. (Seriously, I was wondering about the… semantics… even in the first book) As a single undergraduate I probably have too much time to think about it and wish for something a tad bit steamier… But it’s all in perspective. If I was 14 and reading them for the first time I’d probably equate them with well-developed erotica…...
Mary
wrote on November 4 2008 @ 10:55 am: [report]
I love this series. I love how it teases you at times with Bella and Edwards relationship just to keep you guessing. At times I think that it is more intense and sexy then any other books I have read.
Twilighter
wrote on November 4 2008 @ 12:36 pm: [report]
well I think the lack of sex is what makes these books so good. It brings you back to when you were Bella’s age- or at least in high school. Amelia- like you I am reading the second book, and like you just went thorugh I bad break up- so I understand…The nice thing about the lack of sex is that this is now something I share with my 14 year old god daughter( she lives in Europe).PS I am 28. So as much as I’d like to see mini edward cullens..I think by not doing that early on the suspense is more “gripping”- no pun intended…
Nemesis
wrote on November 5 2008 @ 09:06 am: [report]
I think it would be a better idea if there were lots of teenage sex in the book, and then a teenager becomes pregnant and/or contracts an STD. Then the teenagers could keep the kid (because they’re so responsible) and collect taxpayer money to support it. Further along, the teenage girl, because she contracted an STD, would wind up unfertile. Her offsrping would be a half-breed, though, which might make for an interesting storyline.
I think there should be way more sex in teenage fantasy books. Responsibility is just so boring.
BTW - I know what women are like when it comes to sex as well
Twilighter
wrote on November 5 2008 @ 01:34 pm: [report]
@Nemesis- let me guess you are guy…tell me what are women like when it comes to sex? i am curious?
Nemesis
wrote on November 5 2008 @ 02:42 pm: [report]
Twilighter:
What are women like when it comes to sex? Most of the time, if a guy is lucky, they’re present and naked. Or at least partially naked.
I Punched A Werewolf in the Face
wrote on November 5 2008 @ 05:51 pm: [report]
Wow, Nemesis, you’ve got it all wrong!
It’s not for “responsibility” sake that they don’t have sex. It’s that he could get so passionate about it and with the scent of her blood literally singing to him, he could kill her in an instant.
HOT!
Jess
wrote on November 5 2008 @ 08:01 pm: [report]
It’s an amazing series. I think the no sex in the first few books really keeps you waiting for it in the last book.
Twilighter
wrote on November 6 2008 @ 07:32 am: [report]
@ Nemesis - then you must be sleep with some sl*ts! Have you gotten tested lately or will we be seeing you on th Maury show in the episode I am not your baby daddy???
Cullen
wrote on November 7 2008 @ 12:07 am: [report]
I love this series, but it does make me wish my boyfriend would transform into a gorgeous, sparkling vampire and suddenly become greatly romantic. /sigh So much for separating fantasy from reality eh?
AlyssaE
wrote on November 9 2008 @ 02:54 pm: [report]
Though I loathe this series with a passion (and I honestly tried to read it), I respect that it keeps sex to a minimum, especially as my little sister reads this.
I do have issues with how Meyers portrays Bella as a young woman who’s only desire is to be with Edward. No career goals, no real hopes and dreams. Not the best example for young girls who will later be taught to say no to abortion or not understand contraceptives.
cullenobsession
wrote on November 10 2008 @ 10:03 am: [report]
Okk…. As much as I love this series, I agree that people who really love each other like Edward and Bella don’t linger to have sex in reality.. They just do it. So the fact that Stephenie Meyers keeps it to a minimum is kind of fake. But I do on the other hand believe that the suspense of them not doing it and the little action that does happen is very tasteful and makes you want to keep reading… Hey, everthing has its pros and cons.
rubyclaire
wrote on May 10 2009 @ 08:19 pm: [report]
this book is all about SEX…i mean come on, its a total tease…..I will agree with every one though, you imagine that hot Rob/ Edward and it spins your mind around that you just have these insane fantasies. I guess i kinda like it the fact they drag it out but I heard in the 4th books it gets deep, like for real. Its so HOT….
Nikki Dowling
wrote on May 14 2009 @ 08:08 am: [report]
The whole last book reads like erotica for teens.