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Mental and Eating Disorders in Teen Lit

In recent years, mental disorders and substance abuse have been a central plot point for young adult literature. Popular titles include: "Cut" by Particia McCormick, "It's Kind of A Funny Story" by Ned Vizzini, and a collection of books written by Ellen Hopkins. Hopkins is well-known for her use of verse and poetry. "Crank" and "Glass" depict a character's lowest points of meth addiction. "Burned" tells the story of a young girl oppressed and abused by her religious upbringing, and "Identical" deals with sexual abuse, incest, and a rare mental disorder that isn't revealed until the novel's end. Finally, "Impulse" follows the opposing views of four teens recuperating in a mental health facility.

Christian author, Melody Carlson, wrote "The True Color Series." Titles like "Burnt Orange", "Moon White", "Pitch Black", or "Bright Purple" deal with under aged drinking, Wicca, teen suicide, and discovering one's sexuality. Each book contains the underlying themes of church, community, and Christ. Some installments preach more than others.

Past examples of mental disorders in literature often include cautionary tales. For leisure I've read, "Girl: Interrupted" and "Go Ask Alice." I was impressed by neither. Contrary to popular belief, "Go Ask Alice" is not the actual diary of a 15-year-old girl. In later editions, Beatrice Sparks is listed as editor. Sparks is the credited author of such admittedly, fictional titles as: "Kim: Empty Inside", "It Happened To Nancy", and "Jay's Journal.

"Alice" in particular, was very well written. It contained complex metaphors, advanced vocabulary, and allusions to other written work. Surely the protagonist wouldn't put so much care into words meant for her eyes only? It is also quite difficult to believe she was able to keep such records in the novel's parts where she was institutionalized, or living on the streets. "Another day, another blow job," one such entry read. What I find most interesting is the copyright information:

"This book is a work of fiction. Any references to historical events, real people, or real locales are used fictitiously..." So on, and so forth. On my visits to the school library, I often find myself fighting this compulsion to move "Go Ask Alice" out of the Dewey Decimal System, and into fiction where it belongs.

(I have a habit of visiting www.snopes.com about monthly, or during rare instances of insomnia. ^-^ It confirmed my suspicions about "Alice." )

"One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest", a part of most high school curricula, sets mental health patients apart from normal, functioning society. The hospital was a "combine". It existed to reshape the "acutes" into human beings, and keep the "chronics" locked away.

In recent years, I feel the focus of these stories have changed. Today, few authors aim to scare teenagers away from a sinful, hedonistic life style. I believe modern books about mental disorders send a message of tolerance and understanding. Literature changes with societies views. Characters with mental disorders exist to explain and convey another view point. Additionally, they are written to show troubled teenagers they are not alone.

I will go on to suggest authors choose their words and viewpoints with care. These stories are crafted with the purest of intentions. However, some works have inspired acts experimentation and ultimately, imitation. I feel this is most common, in the eating disordered.

My favorite example would be "The Best Little Girl in the World", written by Steve Levenkron. It was published in 1989 and became a TV movie. Many have praised it for getting into the mind of an Anorexic. Others would argue it is, "A romanticized account of a horrible disease." I would have to agree with the latter, as the book consists of cliches: a Caucasian ballerina, over bearing parents, successful older siblings, the constant element of "perfectionism", and an African American girl to reinforce racial stereotypes. Kessa meets Lila while hospitalized. The girl is unsympathetic towards Kessa. Towards Kessa, she uses "Skinny", as a a derogatory term. She firmly states that eating disorders are a problem only privileged races have. (Statistics prove otherwise. Educated physicians are aware that eating disorders impact all races, sexual orientations, socioeconomic statuses, as well as both sexes.) Kessa (the protagonist) collects photographs of models. She recites mantras throughout the story to motivate her extreme weightless. ("The thinner is the winner".) Such practices continue today amongst young girls, often in online archives ominously known as "Pro Anorexia Websites." Though written two decades ago, the book remains popular amongst young readers.

An reader on Amazon wrote, "I have read this book and yes, it is a great book, but one must use caution when reading it. When I read this book I was in the worst part of my struggle with anorexia, and while reading this book I became wrapped up in some sick competition with Kessa. I continued to use many of the tips i read in the book, along with my own tricks, until I ended up in the hospital. I strongly recommend that NO ONE currently in treatment or suffering from an eating disorder read this book..."

"...Novels such as this one just reinforce dangerous misconceptions about eating disorders. Steven Levenkron (the doctor who treated Karen Carpenter for anorexia and very possibly contributed to her death) takes what should be an honestly sad, disturbing look at anorexia nervosa and makes it seem 'cool'," wrote another.

" I read this book when i was about 11 and it honestly became part of my downfall. For me it was more of 'how to' then a 'don't be like her'. Although I still to this day like this book i was WAY to young to read it. I think its an important book even if the writer is in my opinion a self-righteous hack..."

Like Minded Articles:

• The Troubling Allure of of Eating Disorder Books (Ny Times: Well Blog)
  
• Do Books about Eating Disorders Help or Hinder Teens? (Examiner, Milwaukee)

Consumer Reviews:

• Shopping.com
  
• Amazon
  
• Good Reads

And finally, a web page that proves my point: http://www.starvingbeauty.1colony.com/custom2.html

No online "publication" of mine would ever be complete without giving my two cents on the "Pro Ana/Mia movement." Keep an eye out for that within the next six weeks.

FACT

Under the Hays Code (1930-1968), people kissing in American films could no longer be horizontal; at least one had to be sitting or standing, not lying down. In addition, all on-screen married couples slept in twin beds...and if kissing on one of the beds occurred, at least one of the spouses had to have a foot on the floor.

(http://rainbowbrite2200.xanga.com/712874279/kissing-facts/ and htttp://facts.randomhistory.com/2009/01/22_kissing.html )

Stereotypes in Disney

The first article is one I actually stumbled on over the summer. I watched "Dumbo" with my siblings for old-time sake and found myself thinking, "HOLY CRAP?!"...for lack of a better term. The latter two I found during our "Mickey Mouse Monopoly" unit, before watching the documentary of the same name.

"The Disney Copyright" video is something my friend Rose's dad showed us "for kicks". This was after I wanted to show her the SNL skit, "Alladin and Jasmine's 10th Anniversary."

(Since only the script was a available online, we tried acting it out with the original, "Whole New World" song...Not nearly as authentic. Wish I had a video to share. >.>) Last, I found the end of "Mickey Mouse Monopoly" on YouTube, because I'm that much of a dork and didn't want to wait to watch the end.

-The 9 Most Racist Disney Characters (According to http://www.cracked.com/. I am in agreeance to many of these statements with a few exceptions. Sebastian is actually depicted as loyal, hardworking, and peristant in Disney's "The Little Mermaid." King Louie in "The Jungle Book" was voiced by a popular Italian singer.)

-A Blogged Response - to "The 9 Most Racist Disney Characters" (Raises a few excellent points, mainly the one regarding "The Little Mermaid" and "Jungle Book."

-6 Famous Characters You Didn't Know were Rip-offs (This references, The Lion King, which has many eerie similarities to the Japanese cartoon, "Kimba The White Lion." Too many, in my opinion, to be a coincidence. Further research on my part determined that "The Lion King" was originally a be a remake. My best guess is that when the rights to "Kimba" were lost, Disney was therefore unable to obtain them. Denying all prior knowledge of "Kimba" prevented them from scrapping the project. Claiming full credit for the box office hit was simply an added bonus. On a note completley unrelated to Disney, I feel calling Batman a rip-off of Zorro is a bit of a stretch....)

Ads

Thousands of over stimulating ads clamor for your attention when visiting popular websites. These windows are not limited to pop-ups and side panels, but in recent years have included talking Emoticions and interactive 'games'.

(You have GOT to be kidding me!)

The vast majority of these "free sites" require advertisements to bring a steady income. Ads can be tailored to your age demographic, interests, and hobbies every time you log in.

(Bandwagon approach. When has Marjory steered me wrong?)

(This ad was right on the money, no pun intended. I would love to try this product.)

Yet somehow "miracle" pills, supplements, and new workouts always reign supreme in my right panel.

(Personally, I would miss my chest.)

(I'm not a doctor, nor do I play one on TV, but that doesn't sound physiologically possible.)

(Realistic American body type, recognizable room for healthy improvements, UNREALISTIC time table.)

All consumers could benefit through repetition of this old cliché: "If it's too good be to true, chances are, it is!" This statement is best applied to America's Weight Loss Industry. It's a proven fact that "diets" (in the traditional sense) do not work. Instead, research a "life style change." Alter your eating and exercises habits in a way that will improve your quality life, and only then will the weight loss stick. A good friend of mine with a weight problem has taken up biking. I enjoy walking for relaxation and transportation. Thought weight loss is neither typical, no guaranteed, myself and many of my friends are vegetarian. I also a know a couple of vegans.

Weight loss products keep the industry, as well as our economy, a float. Without weight or body image problems, America would have no NEED to buy these products. Therefore, one should not expect help from the very companies that rely on obesity. "Weight Watchers", for instance, can teach you the importance of portion control. However, it is dependent on repeat customers- and savy advertising. They market they're own food products at 5 "points" or less to ensure their members will buy them.

Standards of beauty change with the time and culture. Fifty years ago, this sort of ad may have graced our Facebook/Myspace panels.










(Supplied by The-F-Word at: http://the-f-word.org/blog/index.php/2009/04/22/vintage-weight-gain-advertisements/)

Intro

I will keep this blog between the months of September and January (2009-2010) for my Media Literacy course.


My primary objective is to post reflections and dissection of media (for a grade). Additionally, I will add weekly quotes or lyrics. The speakers are what Ms. Faust may refer to as II's. (Interesting Individuals). ^-^ I feel they are best described as celebrities that break the mold- in their own respective ways. These are artists that reshape our ideas about religion, media, feminine beauty, or society as a whole. My title itself is a tribute to Marilyn Manson.

"The burden of originality is one that most people don't want to accept. They'd rather sit in front of the TV and let that tell them what they're supposed to like, what they're supposed to buy, and what they're supposed to laugh at."

(Photo property of http://www.gothmagazine.com/ )