Issues to explore with your
child
1)
What
is a healthy relationship versus an unhealthy relationship? Is Bella's
relationship with Edward healthy? Ask
your child, "What do you admire in their relationship?" "How does Edward treat Bella?"
You can raise issues of Edward's controlling
behavior toward Bella. For example, Edward stalks Bella by showing up in her room
unannounced to watch her sleep and he eavesdrops into her conversations by
reading minds.
2) What else could Bella have done to deal
with her break-up? In the second installment, New Moon, Edward leaves Bella.
She is devastated by his abandonment and sinks into a depression. Bella only begins to emerge from her
depression when she enters into a close relationship with Jacob.
Ask, "Can a person only be happy when they are in a romantic relationship?"
As a parent it is important to know the warning signs of depression in your
preadolescent and adolescent: a helpful source is www.helpguide.org/mental/depression_teen.htm
3) Another issue to explore from the story is
the demands on Bella to keep secrets from her father, mother and friends in
order to maintain her relationship with Edward.
You may wish to discuss with your child, "When is it okay to keep a
secret?"and "When do secrets become unhealthy?"
Remember, these
movies are meant to be fun! Resist the desire to lecture - this is a moment to
listen to what your child is saying about Bella, Edward and Jacob and to share
your own values about the lives of these fictional characters.
For more
information about how to talk with your youth about healthy relationships, how
to interpret media messages and other adolescent development issues, check out
these additional resources, www.chooserespect.org
and www.commonsensemedia.org
