One of my parents has written to her MP about 50 shades of grey!!

[jumpinjen]

My new LO's parent asked me for 'a word' today - oh dear I thought, then she said it was about a parenting matter - OK - she told me that she'd been in the supermarket and there was a big stack of the books and two school girls were giggling over it. She bought a copy and is absolutely horrified and has written to her MP and said that books should carry age ratings like videos and games - she says all her colleagues think she over reacting and asked me what i thought - I have never read the book so I couldn't comment...... is it really that bad?

[FussyElmo]

I wouldnt let my dd 13 read it but it is an adult book and not aimed at school age children.

Not read it myself :)

[Twinkles]

I've read the first couple of chapters. It's basically soft porn. Badly written. Quite boring , lots of repetitive sex scenes. It's not something I will continue to read.

Funnily enough my son ( age 24 ) asked me the same question. ' Why don't books have age ratings/restrictions ?' I couldn't answer him.

[charleyfarley]

I haven't read it so can't really comment on it's contents but if it is soft porn then maybe there should be an age restriction on it.

Carol xx

[EmmaReed84]

To be fair, you parent has a very good point...

I haven't read the book and have no intention of reading it either... not my things TBH.

Those people who laughed at her... get her to ask them... "So you think I am over reacting? Well, if it was a film, would you let your kids watch it? Do you talk about sex with your partner in front of your children? Would describe in graphic detail your sex in front of your children?" Answer probably "no"... reply... "Why? why not? you think it is ok for them to read it, why so see it or hear it?" :laughing: point made lol

[Trpta108]

I agree with the parent.

[rickysmiths]

I haven't read it and have no intention of reading it.

I do agree with the parent though, because of the publicity the book has had places like supermarkets should be a bit more responsible.

Also given the enormous sales and so the places the book will be on sale, so should the publishers.

Maybe the book should be shrink wrapped so it can't be piced up and read.

Maybe the parents time would be better spent speaking to the manager of the supermarket and strongly suggesting the book is displayed out of the reach of young people and that he suggest it comes in wrapped.

Not sure what an MP can do.

[Boris]

I have read it and I would agree with your parent. Its definately not suitable for children, if it was a film it would be an 18 rating without doubt. There are lots of sex scenes using very explicit language (and not regular sex either IYKWIM!!).

Having said that I really enjoyed it! :blush:

[singingcactus]

I think it would be a shame to have reading material put even further away from kids, by banning certain stories. Most of the books I read as a teen would be banned, stephen king, james herbert and other horror and sci fi writers, as they all contain perverse sex scenes, and cruel sadistic and psychotic behaviours and characters, not to mention devil worship and demon raising etc.

I think the big picture needs to be looked at here rather than a knee jerk reaction to one story. Kids will only get out of a book what their experience and knowledge allows for. There are no pictures, it is not forced into their brains, they are words and any images the kids see in their heads because of those words have been put there by something else beforehand. Books are limited by the readers imagination not by the directors/producers/actors abilities to shock.

I think it is a terrible idea to ban books and put limitation upon who can read what. Plus it's totally unenforceable. Your parent is over reacting.

However that supermarket might want to be a little more careful, no one is going to want to buy a book priced as new, that has been read by a gaggle of kids. They are going to lose out on money.

(I haven't read the book btw, romance is not my thing, but I disagree with any kind of censorship of the written word)

[rickysmiths]

I think it would be a shame to have reading material put even further away from kids, by banning certain stories. Most of the books I read as a teen would be banned, stephen king, james herbert and other horror and sci fi writers, as they all contain perverse sex scenes, and cruel sadistic and psychotic behaviours and characters, not to mention devil worship and demon raising etc.

I think the big picture needs to be looked at here rather than a knee jerk reaction to one story. Kids will only get out of a book what their experience and knowledge allows for. There are no pictures, it is not forced into their brains, they are words and any images the kids see in their heads because of those words have been put there by something else beforehand. Books are limited by the readers imagination not by the directors/producers/actors abilities to shock.

I think it is a terrible idea to ban books and put limitation upon who can read what. Plus it's totally unenforceable. Your parent is over reacting.

However that supermarket might want to be a little more careful, no one is going to want to buy a book priced as new, that has been read by a gaggle of kids. They are going to lose out on money.

(I haven't read the book btw, romance is not my thing, but I disagree with any kind of censorship of the written word)


I agree with you to a point and my older teens have read books the same way you have and some of the classics have their raunchy bits.

I think the difference with this one is the publicity it has had and I get the impression from the op that it was quite young teens not older ones and to be fair they wouldn't pick up the kind of books you read because they have not been publicised as sexy.

[jelly15]

I have read all three books on my kindle to see what the fuss was about (badly wriitten and repeatertive but strangly addictive). It is porn though and should not be on a supermarket shelf without warnings.

[LOOPYLISA]

I have read all three books on my kindle to see what the fuss was about (badly wriitten and repeatertive but strangly addictive). It is porn though and should not be on a supermarket shelf without warnings.

I agree here :thumbsup:

[wendywu]

I am not a prude at all but just cannot be bothered to read it.

Got much better books in my case for holiday :cool:

[Bridey]

I think it is a very good point!

I also think children's books should come with rating as guidance for parents. On the back of a dvd you get "Contains some swearing and mild violence" - why not on books too?

[caz3007]

I have read all three books on my kindle to see what the fuss was about (badly wriitten and repeatertive but strangly addictive). It is porn though and should not be on a supermarket shelf without warnings.

I am on the 3rd cos I want to know what happens, but I agree some of the sex scenes are fine for adults but not for children, they dont show sex as it should be and one of my friends was saying she was reading something and even adults are thinking their private lives are lacking cos they arent doing similar to the book, so what on earth would young teens think.

[ajs]

I think it is a very good point!

I also think children's books should come with rating as guidance for parents. On the back of a dvd you get "Contains some swearing and mild violence" - why not on books too?

This is a good idea, I used to buy my daughters Jaqueline Wilson audio books which we would listen to in the car etc, one night our babysitter called me to tell Me the girls aged 8 and 10 had been listening to one that was totally unsuitable for their age, I took it back to smiths and was given a refund but I wouldn't have known had I not been warned

[Jods]

hmmm 'teenagers' and/or 'older' children sniggering over sex scenes in a book, wow that was my biology lesson at school - not being rude but get a grip, do they truley understand the concept of what they are reading, can they contextualise, you should hve seen me and my best friend (who went to a convent school!!) reading my mums 50 positions of sex book whilst sipping gin at age 11 (yup wanten husseys we were thought we were sooo cool!!)

being honest if I saw a 5 year old reading it I would be on the phone to mensa x

[JCrakers]

Iv'e read all three on kindle for ipad and I wouldn't leave it logged in for my 10yr old dd or even my 13yr old son to read.
I enjoyed them although they are repetitive and not that well written.

Its very graphic in places with the wording and the sex scenes. A lot of the scenes arent romantic iykwim. I wouldn't want my dd reading it. I feel it shouldn't be available in supermarkets to just pick up and read. Children as young as 5yrs old have the reading ability and I feel it should either be shrink wrapped or it should have a parental advisory warning. :D

[jelly15]

hmmm 'teenagers' and/or 'older' children sniggering over sex scenes in a book, wow that was my biology lesson at school - not being rude but get a grip, do they truley understand the concept of what they are reading, can they contextualise, you should hve seen me and my best friend (who went to a convent school!!) reading my mums 50 positions of sex book whilst sipping gin at age 11 (yup wanten husseys we were thought we were sooo cool!!)

being honest if I saw a 5 year old reading it I would be on the phone to mensa x

This is explicitly erotic scenes featuring elements of sexual practices involving bondage, discipline, sadism, and masochism, not your average sex scenes. Not what I want my teenagers who may soon be sexually active thinking this is normal practice.

[rickysmiths]

hmmm 'teenagers' and/or 'older' children sniggering over sex scenes in a book, wow that was my biology lesson at school - not being rude but get a grip, do they truley understand the concept of what they are reading, can they contextualise, you should hve seen me and my best friend (who went to a convent school!!) reading my mums 50 positions of sex book whilst sipping gin at age 11 (yup wanten husseys we were thought we were sooo cool!!)

being honest if I saw a 5 year old reading it I would be on the phone to mensa x

Really! My daughter was reading Harry Potter before she was 6yrs and although I haven't seen any of the paperback in question my guess id that the print of Harry Potter was smaller and more words on a page.

To be honest if a 5yr old picked it up and read the words would they have the understanding? Not saying I would want a 5yr old to have access to it but....

[FussyElmo]

I suppose the reason children are interested in the book is the hype thats gone with it. Its everywhere so children are going to be interested especially when people say its the next twilight. Books are set out in ages in shops most of then have adult, teenage and childrens. I also think sticking a sticker on it will make it even more desirable to children as its then banned

The reason its in the supermarket on big displays is because of its what people push for and they are responding to people.

[Ripeberry]

Well that book should be shrink wrapped or kept under the counter with the ciggies :D ;)

I wonder if the copies in the libraries will be 'out' all the time? How would you stop kids reading it there?

[Boris]

hmmm 'teenagers' and/or 'older' children sniggering over sex scenes in a book, wow that was my biology lesson at school - not being rude but get a grip, do they truley understand the concept of what they are reading, can they contextualise, you should hve seen me and my best friend (who went to a convent school!!) reading my mums 50 positions of sex book whilst sipping gin at age 11 (yup wanten husseys we were thought we were sooo cool!!)

being honest if I saw a 5 year old reading it I would be on the phone to mensa x

Would you be ok with your children flicking through a porn magazine then?? :eek:

[MAWI]

Well I agree with the parent that it shouldn't be on any supermarket shelf for children/teens to get their hands on. Its certainly not aimed at them.

I have a copy and reading it and have to confess really enjoying it...so there you go, lol. :blush:

Not usually a reader of that type but more interested because of all the hype. It's actually very repetitive, not very well written and you cant actually tell if it's written from an English or American viewpoint half the time due to the vocabulary.
Big hype about nothing really and Nowhere near as great a book that everyone claims or as Harry Potter!

[Jods]

Firstly I have read it, secondly has anyone ever read anything that contains mild/strong words of decsription in anything, that would mean that 80% of all adult books would be top shelf material (bit like the beebs swear list thing) and my 15 yr old has asked to read it and I have warned her and said yes, would I let my 10yr old read it probably no, however if she sneeks it off my book shelves and has a naughty look and giggle!! well, must I now have a top shelf in my house, to prevent my own children, how would I police this!!

and dont be so dramatical of course I would not give my children porn, pictures of a graphical nature are a different matter all together, but if thats what you think so be it.

[The Juggler]

Firstly I have read it, secondly has anyone ever read anything that contains mild/strong words of decsription in anything, that would mean that 80% of all adult books would be top shelf material (bit like the beebs swear list thing) and my 15 yr old has asked to read it and I have warned her and said yes, would I let my 10yr old read it probably no, however if she sneeks it off my book shelves and has a naughty look and giggle!! well, must I now have a top shelf in my house, to prevent my own children, how would I police this!!

and dont be so dramatical of course I would not give my children porn, pictures of a graphical nature are a different matter all together, but if thats what you think so be it.

Sam, i do agree with what you are saying in general. there are loads of books with full on sex scenes and worse violence (murder and rape) martina cole and other crime books spring to mind. Maybe they should be behind a counter - but what do you do then in waterstones?? - I for one can't reach the top shelf. I too as a teenager sniggered at books like these but I agree young children shouldn't have access to them but it's up to parents to supervise them in shops or at home if these books are in the home.

But, I have to say hon, saying 'not to be rude' before saying 'get a grip' does not mean what you said isn't rude. We can voice a different opinion without having a personal dig :(

[Jods]

at no point was I having a personal dig (mentioned no names) - it was my opinion - and 'get a grip' is an idiom/expressional term

[mushpea]

well i either havent read far enough or my mind isnt broad enough cause I havent found any explcit sex scenes yet, I am reading the first book and on page 68.
I am reading a murder mystery book aswell at the moment that my 13yrold daughter wants to read, its got a explicit sex scene at the begining then after that its fine, i dont have a problem with her reading the mystery book because its a very good book and her reading is that of a 16yrold so younger books just are boring to her.
As for grey I dont know unitll I ve read it wether I will let her read it or not.

[nannymcflea]

I think an issue arrises when young girls think that being dominated is 'normal'. Maybe when they become adults it will be for them, thats for them to discover, in their own time as they grow.

I can see a problem in that if these young vulnerable minds do not have parent/s that can tell them 'it's fiction, a real relationship consists of...' then how else are they going to be confident, young adults that respect their own bodies. This goes for young men too.

I think the majority of giggling girls will come to no harm, but we have to also protect the minority.

No answers on right or wrong ways, but I'm sure the book, once turned into a film, or 2, will be replaced by the next thing to worry about. XX

[Mickey Mouse Clubhouse]

I wouldn't let my 13 daugther read it but I feel the parent has gone a bit over the top, I would say there is more important things to write to an MP about, but that's just me.

[jumpinjen]

Interesting replies - I like the shrink wrap idea LOL, and the ratings and guidance on the back - this was the mum that merrily chatted about murderers, grey ladies haunting the castle and more when we went together to Dudley castle for the big toddle ;). I had to keep quietly asking her to change her words as the LO's didn't know about things like that and were too young! So it did amuse me slightly that she was so upset about a book that was introducing unsuitable things to children possibly!!! I don't think i'll read it then, not my cup of tea really - I didn't know any of the sexual terms that today's young teenagers seem to know and bandy about - must be getting old;) Jen x

[Boris]

I think an issue arrises when young girls think that being dominated is 'normal'. Maybe when they become adults it will be for them, thats for them to discover, in their own time as they grow.

I can see a problem in that if these young vulnerable minds do not have parent/s that can tell them 'it's fiction, a real relationship consists of...' then how else are they going to be confident, young adults that respect their own bodies. This goes for young men too.

I think the majority of giggling girls will come to no harm, but we have to also protect the minority.

No answers on right or wrong ways, but I'm sure the book, once turned into a film, or 2, will be replaced by the next thing to worry about. XX

Yes! Totally agree with this. The "relationship" between the 2 main characters is not the sort of relationship I would encourage my daughter to be having! Let's teach them about normal sex in normal realtionships first! (if there is such a thing!)

[The Juggler]

Yes! Totally agree with this. The "relationship" between the 2 main characters is not the sort of relationship I would encourage my daughter to be having! Let's teach them about normal sex in normal realtionships first! (if there is such a thing!)

yes but there are lots of books on the shelves, Silence of the Lambs portrays a sexual deviant who kills people, Martina Cole's woman like to kill people or are in relationships they stay in where they get badly beaten up or abused. Its just a book and we have to parent what our kids read, same as the tv or film.

[Mouse]

yes but there are lots of books on the shelves, Silence of the Lambs portrays a sexual deviant who kills people, Martina Cole's woman like to kill people or are in relationships they stay in where they get badly beaten up or abused. Its just a book and we have to parent what our kids read, same as the tv or film.

I agree with that. It's up to parents to keep a check on what their children are reading, much as we keep an eye on what they are looking at on the internet or watching on TV.

2 schoolgirls (OP doesn't say what age, could have been 13, could have been 17) giggling over a book in a supermarket is not the same as them taking it home & reading it. I don't believe they will have been psycologically damaged by a quick flick through the book in the shop.

When I was young (about 13), the rude books we all read were the Flowers in the Attic series. Even at that young age we understood that the sex scenes weren't what a 'normal' relationship were about - this was fiction. We knew the difference.

I haven't read the Fifty Shades of Grey books, and have no intention of reading them. I wouldn't want my 11yr old daughter reading them, but, as far as I can, I will make sure she doesn't read them. I don't need them shrink wrapped in a supermarket to help me do that :rolleyes:

[dette]

i can see both sides of this. I have just finished reading all 3 of the books and i have to say i enjoyed reading them.For those who havent read them it is basicly a love story .Not well writen and to be fair the sex scenes do get a bit boring but the story was good.
I would not like my children to read it but then i wouldnt like my kids to read most books i have read .some autobiographys have content far far more horrifying than anything written in these books
We just need to keep it in perspective,shrink wrap will only work in shops ,once at home it will be open,what about second hand copies,
children are naturally curious its our jobs as adults to explain to them honestly that the books are not aimed at children and like the 9 o'clock watershed the content is not suitable until they are old enough to put the content into the context that it is ment to be read in.Our children have access to so much more unsuitable material than ever before .we can only educate them and trust that they will apply it,whether it be the internet ,tv or like in this case a book

[Blaze]

I've read all three - they are badly written & repetitive, but amusing ...TBH I don't think they are any worse than the Jilly Cooper books of my Mum's that I used to read or Danielle Steele's books for that matter (though admittedly JC & DS's books are better written)! The books do make the point repeatedly that some of the sex scenes / relationships are not the norm - this is a major part of the story.