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May 7, 2013

Mother Daughter Conflicts in YA Lit

There are a few books this spring that I read this spring that had really strong mother-daughter conflicts.  Really strong, the kind that made me uncomfortable when I read them.  The kind that almost ruined the book for me. 


One of them, School Spirits, kind of resolved the issue by then end and the relationship was a little bit mended. 

The other one, Going Vintage, made a few strides, but the book ended with the relationship on not-so-solid ground. 

I think I was so bothered by these because: 1) I am a mom and it makes me sad to see children and mothers so far apart, and 2) I had a really strong relationship with my mom while I was growing up especially during my teenage years (my older brother and sister were at college, my dad worked nights a lot, so it was normally just me and my mom hanging out at home--we got along great, still do).

I know why the authors wrote these relationships this way, it's very common for teenage girls and their moms to not get along.  I see it all the time!  There is normally tension and strife in this relationship.  Most teenage girls reading these books will be able to identify with a main character who has issues with her mom. 
And since these books aren't actually written for my age group, I have to give a nod to the authors for writing such tension filled, realistic relationships!

What are some interesting mother daughter (or parent child) dynamics in YA literature that affected you?

2 comments:

  1. I hate reading it too.
    I, like you, get why they do it but I dislike it.
    I'm more affected and appreciative of authors who make parents who care and are present.

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    Replies
    1. Like the parents in Easy A. There are some examples in YA but my mind is completely blank right now! Maybe that is another post...

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