In the admittedly vapid world of modern-day teen fiction, specifically romance, the name "Sarah Dessen" has become extremely well-known and influential to wishful teen girls everywhere. Having read all of Dessen's books, I can admit to being drawn in to her vivid, and sometimes eccentric, characters. Young girls swoon over the always-brooding male romantic interest, and many females can usually identify with the troubled female protagonist. What many girls do not recognize is the repetitive nature and stereotypes constantly reinforced in Dessen's books.
On one hand, you have the perturbed teen girl going through some significant life-change. Dessen uses this specific angle the most to draw female readers in. She gives the audience a reason to keep reading because the reader forms a delusional personal tie the protagonist.
For example, if Sally reads about a character going through a divorce, a very common occurrence, she is much more likely to keep reading and enjoy the book. Dessen is strategic in this sense. Common issues facing characters in her 12 books include divorce, the death of a loved one, lack of family structure, a controlling and overbearing guardian, or lack of a stable home. Her broad-based themes attract a wider audience, meaning more sales for her.
In addition, one of the main issues with Dessen's books is that they always are centered around a romantic relationship with a guy. Yes, romance is a common and interesting part of books, but many of Dessen's fictional relationships are unhealthy. Many of the female characters drop everything for their new love interest and center their lives around him. In "Dreamland," Caitlin, a stereotypical good cheerleader, drops everything for her new drug-dealing and abusive boyfriend. Throughout the whole book she gives up everything that was once important to her for this one guy, and she narrowly survives and kicks him to the curb in the end.
In "Keeping the Moon," Colie is lost and conflicted with her identity, until she meets Norman, and he saves the day. Norman, this male figure, is presented as the solution of Colie's problems--she doesn't solve them by herself. Similarly, in "The Moon and More," Emaline meets Theo and uses him to fill the void left by her absentee father, falsely trusting him. Ruby from "Lock and Key" finds comfort in her neighbor, Nate, yet another romantic interest.
There's nothing wrong with writing a book with a romantic interest, but every single one of Dessen's books dedicates a substantial portion to the guy that just so happens to stumble into the female protagonist's life in her time of need. A couple of books with this identical plot wouldn't be that bad, but Dessen has used this same gimmick in all 12 of her books.
By including a male romantic interest in every book, Dessen leaves little room for an important message: young girls do not need a guy to solve their problems. Granted, not every guy in Dessen's books ends up being a perfect, helpful angel, but the majority of her books end with a happy ending, all thanks to the new guy.
Young girls everywhere need to be exposed to more books with strong female leads. Yes, Dessen's books are interesting and entertaining to read, but the message contained in many of her plot lines needs to be taken with a grain of salt.
So, next time you think of picking up that Sarah Dessen book to read, consider the real ramifications of her writing.
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