I want to take a moment and apologize for any feelings that I may hurt. However I only bring this topic up because I feel so strongly.
So I have NOT read Fifty Shades of Grey nor do I plan to see the movie that comes out tomorrow. When the books first came out I was tempted until I started hearing other women talk about it and heard some of the excerpts. Originally all I heard was glowing reviews, but then I started paying attention to what was being said and I was horrified. As the mother of a girl I consider it my job to teach her to not fall prey to anyone who will abuse her in anyway, mentally, emotionally, physically. As the mother of a boy I consider it my job to teach him to treat girls and women with nothing but the utmost respect. Control, manipulation, stalking (or "following"), dictating, purposely embarrassing, and guilt trips are all forms of mental and emotional abuse; not to mention extremely annoying forms of passive-aggressive behavior.
I wanted to share two blog posts I read recently to help shed of light on how harmful these books are to women and girls.
1. This one written by a psychiatrist...http://www.megmeekermd.com/2015/02/a-psychiatrists-letter-to-young-people-about-fifty-shades-of-grey/
Ok so by the time I was able to get to this point my other blog I was going to share disappeared. But if you need more proof check out the search results from Bing/Google
http://www.bing.com/search?q=fifty%20shades%20of%20abuse&pc=cosp&ptag=A0E8C88C5FC554BCC84F&form=CONADR&conlogo=CT3210127.
As I was writing I came to a realization as to why so many women are attracted to this series and this type of jack-wagon in general. From our earliest school days we are told "he only teases/hits you because he likes you" and yet we are surprised when women tolerate this type of jerk in their lives.
Ask yourself is the Fifty Shades series the kind of thing you want your daughter to read? Is that the kind of female you want her to emulate? Is that the kind of "man" you want her to be with? Is that the kind of "man" you want your son to become?
We may not think our kids are listening when we talk to our adult friends, but they are. They are absorbing everything and hearing parents discuss how wonderful books like Fifty Shades are sends confusing messages.
Please reconsider if you are planning to see this movie (or read the books, for those who haven't) don't allow this to garbage too further invade your life and our world.
Blessings,
Amy
