Teen Sick-Lit: A Critical Examination
Negative Stereotypes and the Ill
The emerging genre of “teen sick-lit” has drawn criticism for its portrayal of chronically ill adolescents. Researchers argue that these books reinforce negative stereotypes about the ill, depicting them as passive victims who are defined by their illness and seek only to find romantic love before they die.
This narrow and unrealistic portrayal can perpetuate harmful prejudices regarding disease and disabilities in young readers. It suggests that the value of an individual is tied to their physical health and that those who are sick are somehow less worthy of love, respect, and self-fulfillment.
Disempowered Characters and Traditional Gender Roles
Studies have shown that teen sick-lit often fails to empower its ill protagonists. Instead, these characters are marginalized and their experiences are reduced to fodder for the emotional development of healthy characters. They are often depicted as mere objects of pity or as vessels for the fulfillment of others’ romantic fantasies.
Furthermore, teen sick-lit perpetuates traditional gender roles, equating a will to live with a desire for a heterosexual relationship with a healthy person. Characters who deviate from this norm are either ostracized or pressured to conform. This reinforces the harmful idea that sick people must conform to societal expectations in order to be accepted and valued.
The Focus on Physical Attractiveness
Teen sick-lit also places a heavy emphasis on the effects of illness on girls’ bodies. This focus on physical attractiveness perpetuates the societal obsession with women’s appearance, even in the face of serious illness.
For example, one study cited a female character who loses an eye to cancer and chooses not to wear makeup. Her friends pressure her to wear makeup anyway, even though it could cause an infection in her eye socket. This example highlights how teen sick-lit reinforces the idea that women’s worth is tied to their physical appearance, even when they are facing life-threatening illnesses.
Redeeming Qualities and Complexities
Despite its shortcomings, teen sick-lit does have some redeeming qualities. It acknowledges and accepts the sexuality of sick people, a topic often taboo in medical dramas. It also portrays some characters as fully developed human beings who form romantic relationships with other sick people, challenging the idea that sick people can only find love with healthy individuals.
However, these positive aspects are often overshadowed by the genre’s negative stereotypes and narrow portrayal of illness. It is important for readers, particularly young readers, to be aware of these potential pitfalls and to critically evaluate the messages these books convey about illness, disability, and human worth.
The Dangers of Conformity
Teen sick-lit sends a dangerous message that individuals must adjust themselves to societal norms in order to succeed. This message can be particularly harmful to young people who are struggling with illness or disability. It can lead them to feel isolated, ashamed, and unworthy of love and acceptance.
It is essential to challenge these harmful stereotypes and promote a more inclusive and realistic portrayal of illness and disability in literature and media. This will help to create a more supportive and understanding society for all.
