So as I mentioned in my last post, the Twilight path of research seemed to be coming to an end. I loved everything I was reading on the subject, but there just wasn't enough. It took me hours - literally, hours - to find research, and in the end it just wasn't going anywhere. The research I was reading told me things I already knew, and that's no fun. One of the threads I picked up on, however, was the idea of abstinence. Abstinence is a major theme in Twilight, and I found myself thinking about it constantly. What kind of message is Twilight sending to it's readers? How else is that message manifested in other "kid-friendly" media sources, like Nickelodeon and the Jonas Brothers? (Don't even get me started on those boys. I have an unhealthy crush on Nick. And he's 17. It's awful) The more I thought about the idea of abstinence in the modern world, the more I wanted to learn. So I've revamped my research, and I'm now going to be considering the following questions:
- What does abstinence-only education mean? Where is it practiced? What are the results?
- How are abstinence and sexuality presented in kid-centric media, specifically in shows like Gossip Girl, movies like High School Musical, and music videos?
- What (if any) are the trends in young adult literature towards abstinence?
Okay, I can dig it. So, I hope I’m getting this right––you are still using Twilight as your local artifact as well as other teen-focused media artifacts, but now you are using abstinence/abstinence education as your global artifact? Sounds cool. I actually know a guy who volunteers with Young Life in my area whose wife is an abstinence educator. I’m not sure if she works for a private institution or for the government, but that is her full-time job; she goes around to the high schools (and possibly middle schools, I’m not exactly sure) and gives presentations on abstinence. So, if you’re interested in using her as a human subject, I could ask her if she would be willing to do some kind of interview. I’m guessing she would because she’s a pretty friendly woman, but I can’t 100% guarantee she’d do it. I do think it is worth a try though.
ReplyDeleteANYWAYS, very cool. I think it is good that you have pared down your research some. When you find the answers to your research questions, will you tie them back to Twilight?
That a great connection, Ben... and I think it might be useful to Courtney to evaluate the rhetoric of abstinence. What are the terms used in abstinence education? Do those same terms reappear in _Twilight_? How about metaphors? This is an excellent frame to bring to your research artifact, and I think you will find it interesting and complicated.
ReplyDeleteI like this new development in research. And, I like what Becca touched on with the rhetoric of abstinence. I think it is especially important to understand the rhetoric of the subject first. Then perhaps you can see whether or not certain terms show up in Twilight. If they do, then this could tie the two together.
ReplyDeleteBen's connection could be very helpful. I would definitely suggest talking to different abstinence educators and looking into the overall implications this type of education has.
Finally, have you thought about the author influence on the subject of abstinence. I think it would be very interesting to research the author beliefs. I know she is a devout LDS member, so perhaps this had a strong affect on her use of abstinence in the series.
Very cool Courtney. Can't wait to see where this all goes.