Before you get the wrong idea I would like to make it very clear that I do not have an obsession with “Fifty Shades Of Grey” and the fact that I am now speed reading “Fifty Shades of Darker” and finding it disappointingly light on rude bits is not remotely relevant. I bought the second book for a friend but she already had it (honest) so it accidentally on purpose found its way into my suitcase.
What does fascinate me though is the speed with which it appears to be taking over the world. We had a group discussion today about how the author’s two teenage sons must be feeling about the success of the Trilogy. I would have thought that they might be a little mortified, but the general consensus of opinion around the table was that with that much money now in the bank they wouldn’t give a shit. “Oh so where are you going on holiday then? We’re off to Barbados” seemed to be a retort they were happy to give.
It can no longer be called “Mummy porn”. It might have started with us, but the lurid novel has now crossed many boundaries and made it’s way into the hands of our children. I am not suggesting for a minute that I would offer it to my children to read, but the young adults around the pool were avidly reading it and I understand from friends of mine that their 16 year old daughters are all talking about it now.
Here was the view by the pool yesterday:-
I am not comfortable with this. There isn’t even a warning on the front of the book about an 18 rating – or is there? Or would it make any difference?
How do you stop the younger generation from getting all the wrong ideas about dominant/submissive sex? Am I turning into that woman whose name I can’t remember because I’m on holiday – Mary somebody? Our kids have so much more access to inappropriate stuff thanks to the internet but nevertheless, is it right to be allowing this sort of pornography into young hands? There is little point in trying to ban it though – it’s everywhere, so perhaps the trick is to try to be brave enough to have open and frank discussions with them in order to explain the subject matter….but it fills me with horror, the thought of having a “what’s a butt plug and nipple clamp?” conversation over prawns is just too much.
What to do?
Kelloggsville
July 26, 2012Whitehouse, Mary Whitehouse. I recommend you sweep it under the carpet and hope something else becomes hot topic soonish. I’m not talking butt plugs with anyone…not even you!
Family Affairs
July 27, 2012I know. Sorry. Yes, will try and ignore as best I can Lx
Expat Mum
July 27, 2012Whitehouse!
And yes you are, – no honestly, I’m with you all the way. Perhaps we could start a Mary Whitehouse Revival Club.
Family Affairs
July 27, 2012Good idea and thanks for the prompt! Lx
Karen M
July 27, 2012I didn’t know “Fifty shades” existed until I read your post; out of curiosity, I asked my 18-year old daughter if she knew about it, she said she had already read it on the internet and she didn’t like it, whew.
Family Affairs
July 27, 2012Blimey – you see? It’s rife!! Lx
A Mother's PLace is in the Wrong
July 28, 2012Gosh – how glad am I that Grandson is only 8 and not that “good” a reader!
There’s always a silver lining 🙂
Margot xx
Family Affairs
July 30, 2012Yes, you have a while to go yet….good to hear from you L x
Susannahs
July 29, 2012I think the younger generation has much more liberal views on sex than mine did (I’m 30-something now). I base this theory on scientific research on websites such as http://www.textsfromlastnight.com and http://www.damnyouautocorrect.com and such.
I had to ask my younger brother what “eiffel tower” meant. Talk about awkward conversation …
Family Affairs
July 30, 2012Oh dear….I don’t know what the eiffel tower is either … LX