Background information on young adult literature
Relationships with others may be both exciting and terrifying. When attempting to navigate the complexity of romance, young adults, in particular, may feel lost or overwhelmed. Some people believe that YA literature offers wise relationship counsel. In this research paper, I will look at how YA literature helps young adults as they navigate love relationships. I will specifically address the common issues and lessons found in YA literature using the three works “Eleanor & Park” by Rainbow Rowell, “The Fault in Our Stars” by John Green, and “To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before” by Jenny Han as examples. It may be thrilling and terrifying to be in love. Teenagers may struggle to articulate their feelings in romantic relationships or feel lost. Typically, young adult literature examines the universal issues and life lessons that can be learned from romantic relationships. For instance, the central protagonists in “Eleanor & Park,” Eleanor and Park, wrestle with their love for one another and the prospect of rejection. Many young people beginning their first love relationships can relate to this circumstance.
Like Lara Jean, who had to deal with her boyfriend Peter’s long-distance relationship, “To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before” tells her experience. This demonstrates the challenges of maintaining a committed, long-distance relationship. Even though YA literature frequently discusses these issues, it offers insightful guidance on handling romantic relationships. Hazel and Gus, the main characters of “The Fault in Our Stars,” learn the value of being honest and upfront with one another. Here, the benefits of being vulnerable and open with a loved one are underlined, as well as the importance of open communication in all relationships. The necessity of staying true to oneself and resisting pressure from society to conform is another lesson that readers of “To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before” are taught. This demonstrates how crucial it is to respect oneself and stand up for your beliefs, even if others may reject you.
Communication Issues in young adult relationships
Regarding their romantic relationships, young adults are in a particular position. They frequently need to learn how to interact with their spouses successfully, which can cause miscommunications and arguments. Ineffective communication between characters in YA books might serve as an example of these problems and how to deal with them. The common communication problems in young adult relationships can be identified, as well as the lessons that young adults can take away from three well-known YA novels: “Dear Martin” by Nic Stone, “The Fault in Our Stars” by John Green, and “To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before” by Jenny Han. In “Dear Martin,” the primary characters’ communication problems cause misinterpretations and fights. Justyce and Sarah, his girlfriend, frequently misinterpret each other’s remarks because they have different expectations for their relationship. For instance, Sarah feels that Justyce wants to have sex with her when he tells her he loves her, but Justyce only expresses his affection for her. This misunderstanding ultimately results in a brawl and a communication breakdown. This kind of misinterpretation occurs frequently in relationships between young adults because they often lack the maturity and experience to comprehend each other’s words and intentions.
The main protagonists, Hazel and Gus, in “The Fault in Our Stars,” however, navigate their relationship despite their terminal diseases by being open and honest with one another. They are open and honest with one another about their emotions and talk about their concerns and insecurities (Bound). Because of this communication style, they can have a close relationship and better understand one another. They also communicate their empathy to one another, which is crucial in any relationship. Finally, “To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before” instills in readers the value of staying true to oneself and resisting the temptation to change for others. Lara Jean, the primary character, discovers that she shouldn’t have to alter who she is to please other people. She should instead be open and honest with her lover about how she feels (Han). This communication is crucial to foster trust and understanding in a relationship. The life lessons from these young adult books can assist teenagers in navigating their relationships. Building healthy relationships requires effective communication because it enables people to understand and express their sentiments to one another. Being open and empathetic when communicating with one’s partner is critical. Furthermore, one should express their true feelings rather than changing them to fit the expectations of others. Young adults can more successfully navigate their romantic relationships by remembering these principles.
Peer Pressure in young adult relationships
Young adults frequently struggle with peer pressure, which impacts their behavior and judgment. There are many ways that this pressure can appear, from subtle sway to outright coercion. Nic Stone’s book “Dear Martin” illustrates how peer pressure affects young adults. The book’s protagonist, Justyce McAllister, is a high school student who frequently succumbs to peer pressure and makes actions he wouldn’t ordinarily do. For instance, Justyce first resists joining a group of males who consume alcohol but soon caves in due to peer pressure. Justyce discovers lessons about remaining loyal to himself and resisting peer pressure as he manages his relationships. In “Eleanor and Park,” Rainbow Rowell demonstrates how peer pressure affects relationships in young adults. Eleanor and Park, the two main protagonists, are under pressure to live up to their friends’ expectations. For instance, Eleanor experiences identity anxiety since she is frequently made fun of by her peers for her distinctive sense of fashion. Additionally, Park feels pressure from his peers to live up to their ideals of what a “cool” teenager ought to be. Eleanor and Park’s relationship is strained by the pressure to meet their peers’ expectations.
Young adults can successfully negotiate the challenges of peer pressure in their relationships with the skills they learn from these works. Justyce discovers how crucial it is to remain faithful to oneself and base decisions more on principles than outside factors. Eleanor and Park understand the value of being open and honest with one another and the need to resist peer pressure. These lessons ultimately stress the significance of staying loyal to oneself and resisting peer pressure in young adult relationships. These youngsters may struggle with peer pressure as they establish and maintain relationships. The books “Dear Martin” and “Eleanor and Park” provide important lessons about remaining true to oneself and basing decisions on moral principles rather than outside factors (Puteri et al., p. 28). The complexity of peer pressure in relationships can be navigated by young adults with the aid of these teachings, ultimately leading to the development of deeper relationships.
Personal Identity in young adult relationships
Managing relationships as a young adult requires consideration of one’s identity. It can significantly affect the kinds of connections we establish and uphold. Our sense of identity shapes and influences how we interact with and react to others around us. The main character in Nic Stone’s young adult (YA) book “Dear Martin,” Justyce McAllister, struggles with his identity as a black man and how it affects his relationships with others. In “Eleanor and Park,” by Rainbow Rowell, the two central characters’ distinct identities and life experiences influence and form their relationship. These two books and others in the YA genre teach readers essential lessons about self-identity and relationships with other young adults. Justyce, an intelligent and aspirational high school kid in “Dear Martin,” attempts to understand his role in the universe. He continually battles how to live as a black man in a mainly white culture. Justyce knows the present prejudices and stereotypes and how they affect his interactions (Stone). He has to deal with the reality that he and his peers are frequently judged solely based on their skin tone and are not treated as unique. Many young people, especially those of color, can identify with this issue as they negotiate relationships in their own lives.
Eleanor and Park, two misfits in “Eleanor and Park,” discover comfort and kinship in one another. Eleanor, a new student in the school, and Park, who is of mixed race, are both outsiders in their unique ways (Rowell). Despite their differences, the two establish a close bond and start dating. However, the differences in their respective identities and life experiences frequently cause conflict in their relationship. The tension between the two is caused by Park’s fears and anxieties and Eleanor’s challenging home situation. Ultimately, they understand and value the distinctive characteristics of one another’s identities, deepening their friendship and enabling them to overcome their differences. “Dear Martin” and “Eleanor and Park” highlight how critical it is to embrace one’s individuality as well as appreciate and value the identities of others. In Justyce’s instance, he gains the ability to defend himself and his friends while also learning to accept and respect his identity as a black man. Eleanor and Park know that their disparate upbringings and life experiences can bring them closer rather than dividing them. Readers of these two books can learn much about the significance of individual identity in relationships among young adults.
Self-love and Respect in young adult relationships
Healthy relationships require self-love and respect because people must first learn to love and respect themselves before they can do the same for others. Young adult (YA) books frequently use familiar characters and situations to explore the value of self-love and respect and the challenges of managing romantic relationships. Three young adult novels—”Dear Martin” by Nic Stone, “The Fault in Our Stars” by John Green, and “To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before” by Jenny Han—will be used in this essay to examine self-love and respect in young adult relationships. In “Dear Martin,” Justice, a high school student who encounters racism and discrimination, learns to appreciate and love himself despite the prejudice he encounters. Justyce learns to accept himself and his identity via his interactions with Martin Luther King Jr. He also knows to stand up for his beliefs, even if it means confronting rejection or criticism. In interactions between young adults, this book emphasizes the value of self-love, self-acceptance, and self-confidence.
In “The Fault in Our Stars,” two teens named Hazel and Gus battle incurable illnesses. Hazel and Gus come to love and accept themselves as they are and their ailments. They learn to cherish each moment and pay attention to the good things in their lives, including friendships. This book instills in readers the value of self-care and self-love and the significance of accepting and loving oneself in the face of difficulties. In “To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before,” Lara Jean must discover how to be true to herself and create limits in her relationships. She learns to be open and honest about her emotions and how to communicate her needs and desires in a relationship as she falls in love with Peter. This book instills in readers the value of upholding boundaries and remaining autonomous and the importance of being open, honest, and communicative in relationships.
Conclusion
Young adult literature frequently addresses the intricacies of love relationships, and works like Nic Stone’s “Dear Martin” assist young people in understanding and navigating these relationships. The hardships of communication problems, peer pressure, and personal identity are all typical themes among young adults in relationships, and Justice, the protagonist of this book, encounters them firsthand. This book imparts essential lessons about self-love and the value of open communication by delving into Justyce’s experiences. It is evident through a comparison with other books, such “The Fault in Our Stars” and “Eleanor & Park,” that young adult literature provides significant advice for assisting young adults in comprehending and navigating the complexity of romantic relationships more effectively. Young adults reading books like “Dear Martin” can learn about love relationships’ difficulties and life lessons, giving them the knowledge and skills they need to manage their relationships effectively. Books like “Dear Martin” serve as a manual for young adults, helping them better understand and deal with communication problems, peer pressure, and personal identity challenges in their relationships.
Additionally, readers can learn more about how to approach and successfully navigate their relationships by looking at the typical struggles and lessons in YA novels. In conclusion, young adults can benefit significantly from the direction and understanding that young adult literature can provide as they negotiate love relationships. Readers might better grasp how to approach and arrange their relationships by examining the typical problems and lessons in YA books like “Dear Martin” by Nic Stone. Young adult literature offers a secure setting for young adults to learn about the complexity of love relationships, and as such, it should be cherished and praised.
Works Cited
Bound, Samantha-Ellen. The Fault in Our Stars by John Green: Notes. CAE Book Groups, 2013.
Han, Jenny. To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before. Scholastic, 2018.
Rowell, Rainbow. Eleanor & Park: A Novel. St. Martin’s Griffin, 2016.
Stone, Nic. Dear Martin. Random House Digital, 2017.
Puteri, Violyta Radina, Ayu Oktaviani, and Dewi Syafitri. “AN ANALYSIS OF SOCIAL CONFLICT IN” ELEANOR AND PARK” NOVEL BY RAINBOW ROWELL.” JELLT (Journal of English Language and Language Teaching) 4.2 (2020): 25-34.
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