Throughout this course we have been discussing what is a “tween.” Is the term determined by biological, mental and physical changes? Or is tweendom an age or grade range? This question is not as clear cut as that of say a teen or an infant, where social, legal, age and physical changes dominate these titles. Tween however, is an amorphous definition, but one that must be considered.
Through the past 16 weeks we have studied and mulled over tweens and its definition. While I agree that the term tween is highly dependent upon biological factors such as puberty, puberty is not solely the answer. Recent reports have been concluding that early onset of puberty is rising. However, this does not necessarily mean that maturing 10 year olds have the same capacity of a 13 year old that has not yet begun puberty.
Other definitions include age ranges and school grades; however both of these can also fall into the same trap. Since intelligence, critical thinking, and maturity are ultimately based upon the individual, it can be hard to accurately label everyone in the right place.
In some ways, I have to agree with an old history professor of mine. He taught a class on Anti-Semitism, and began the class asking what the definition of Jew was. The class attempted to define both by religion and culture; however the professor believed that a Jew was anyone who considered himself a Jew. I think the same can be said of tweens. A tween is anyone who considers him or herself a tween.
From a library perspective, however, this definition does not often lend itself well to recommending books, creating programming, and understanding what this group goes through. As such, classes like this provide students with an understanding of the possible people who relate to this label. Understanding biological and cognitive changes can help librarians better understand the behavior of tweens. Additionally understanding age and grade ranges can help librarians with an overall idea of the types of books whose writing level or content is appropriate for that age. Lastly, an understanding of the community’s school dynamic (middle school, junior high school, etc.) can help a librarian discover not only the education standards and class requirements but also materials appropriate.
Ultimately, though, it is up to the librarian to get a feel for the individual, having an informal interview to get to know the kid, his or her interests, and so forth.
Sunday, May 15, 2011
Entry #13: Tweens and Social Media
The news recently aired a story about Facebook and their attempts to determine how many members are below 13 years of age. According to its laws, people under 13 are not allowed to have an account. Nevertheless, the study found that there are approximately 7.5 million underage Facebook users and about 5 million are under the age of 10. The story, which was obtained from ABC.com, also included the First Lady’s opinion in regards to Facebook and its underage users.
The video which showed a sound byte of Michelle Obama stating that her children will not be on Facebook any time soon, also weighed in on the ideas of “pre-teens” (their word) having accounts on social networking sites as a whole. ABC’s own poll found that many parents felt that the appropriate age for obtaining an account was at 15. The video also interviewed a sixteen year old whose mother refused to allow her to be on Facebook until she was 18. Lastly, the video made light of the fact that 43% of parents surveyed did not want their children to have a social networking account until they were adults was at great odds with the 7.5 million underage users.
This article and video puts a huge question on the use of social networking sites and tweens. It is apparent that many underage young adults do have accounts, but is this appropriate? The video also interviewed Parry Aftab, an internet privacy and security attorney, who suggested that young adults with a balanced social life (those who have outside friends, outdoor activities, and so forth) would be more capable of responsibly using a social networking site.
Aftab’s statements can also be seen as an agreement to Anna Goodstein’s ideas that young adults need a creative outlet, one where they can experiment with their identity, and express themselves. Nevertheless, parenting is based upon individual values and expectations. Interestingly the comments for this article cites parents who refuse to allow tweens to have an account, to parents who monitor use, to parents who give their children carte blanche. I’m not sure what the answer is, but I do agree with Aftab, that a look at the individual is important to consider.
Resources
ABCnews.com. (2011). Underage Facebook members: 7.5 million users under age 13.
Retrieved from http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/underage-facebook-members-75-million-users-age-13/story?id=13565619
The video which showed a sound byte of Michelle Obama stating that her children will not be on Facebook any time soon, also weighed in on the ideas of “pre-teens” (their word) having accounts on social networking sites as a whole. ABC’s own poll found that many parents felt that the appropriate age for obtaining an account was at 15. The video also interviewed a sixteen year old whose mother refused to allow her to be on Facebook until she was 18. Lastly, the video made light of the fact that 43% of parents surveyed did not want their children to have a social networking account until they were adults was at great odds with the 7.5 million underage users.
This article and video puts a huge question on the use of social networking sites and tweens. It is apparent that many underage young adults do have accounts, but is this appropriate? The video also interviewed Parry Aftab, an internet privacy and security attorney, who suggested that young adults with a balanced social life (those who have outside friends, outdoor activities, and so forth) would be more capable of responsibly using a social networking site.
Aftab’s statements can also be seen as an agreement to Anna Goodstein’s ideas that young adults need a creative outlet, one where they can experiment with their identity, and express themselves. Nevertheless, parenting is based upon individual values and expectations. Interestingly the comments for this article cites parents who refuse to allow tweens to have an account, to parents who monitor use, to parents who give their children carte blanche. I’m not sure what the answer is, but I do agree with Aftab, that a look at the individual is important to consider.
Resources
ABCnews.com. (2011). Underage Facebook members: 7.5 million users under age 13.
Retrieved from http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/underage-facebook-members-75-million-users-age-13/story?id=13565619
Entry #12: Tween, Adolescent, Young Adult, Pre-Teen, Teen
This assignment has been interesting for me. Predominantly using the internet to find sources has shown me how difficult it can be to find resources for a tween audience. Oftentimes, wording is very much a factor not only in finding information but also focusing in on specific age group. What has become most insightful is the use of interchangeable terms for the tween age group. While our class has distinct characteristics yet loose age ranges for tween, use of the term is still somewhat open.
I’ve noticed that most of the time google tries to change my search to teen, that the term adolescent appears to imply 12 - 17 year olds, Young Adult can be a broad spectrum of ages including and up to early 20’s, pre-teen is passé, and teen is the catch-all phrase. As such is it okay to use teen for gathering tween materials? Armstrong’s article, though mostly about gay representation in tween networks, does make a good point about tween networking in that it often shows characters in or around high school. This is consistent with the course readings. This would imply that use of teens is okay for some tweens.
However, tween age definitions vary, as biological factors, culture, maturity and intelligence can affect these characterizations using the catch all phrase to define tweens as teens is not realistic. How then do the media portray these definitions?
Most of my google searches have seen that libraries and marketing sources often use the word tween to specify this group. While both areas can have different definition of the actual age ranges, it shows that both institutions desire to provide these youth with their own separate programming. However, online searches for health and other more serious issues often do not use the word tween. This appears somewhat problematic, as tweens are going through biological, physical and mental changes throughout their growth and development. As such, why wouldn’t these issues merit a specific term for this age group, more defined than say young adult, adolescent, or teen?
I am not sure what the answer is, however, I do understand that cross-over will and does exist. As development occurs at an individual pace, there is no definite line between tween and teens. Nevertheless, it is interesting to note the confusion in titles for tweens.
Resources
Armstrong, J. (2011). Gay teens: Do they belong on the tween networks?. Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved from http://popwatch.ew.com/2011/01/21/gay-teens-do-they-belong-on-the-tween-networks/
I’ve noticed that most of the time google tries to change my search to teen, that the term adolescent appears to imply 12 - 17 year olds, Young Adult can be a broad spectrum of ages including and up to early 20’s, pre-teen is passé, and teen is the catch-all phrase. As such is it okay to use teen for gathering tween materials? Armstrong’s article, though mostly about gay representation in tween networks, does make a good point about tween networking in that it often shows characters in or around high school. This is consistent with the course readings. This would imply that use of teens is okay for some tweens.
However, tween age definitions vary, as biological factors, culture, maturity and intelligence can affect these characterizations using the catch all phrase to define tweens as teens is not realistic. How then do the media portray these definitions?
Most of my google searches have seen that libraries and marketing sources often use the word tween to specify this group. While both areas can have different definition of the actual age ranges, it shows that both institutions desire to provide these youth with their own separate programming. However, online searches for health and other more serious issues often do not use the word tween. This appears somewhat problematic, as tweens are going through biological, physical and mental changes throughout their growth and development. As such, why wouldn’t these issues merit a specific term for this age group, more defined than say young adult, adolescent, or teen?
I am not sure what the answer is, however, I do understand that cross-over will and does exist. As development occurs at an individual pace, there is no definite line between tween and teens. Nevertheless, it is interesting to note the confusion in titles for tweens.
Resources
Armstrong, J. (2011). Gay teens: Do they belong on the tween networks?. Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved from http://popwatch.ew.com/2011/01/21/gay-teens-do-they-belong-on-the-tween-networks/
Entry #11: Getting Tween Boys to Read
Engaging tweens in reading has often been looked at in this class. Materials such as Reading Ladders and Naked Reading look to ignite a flame in the tween group to rediscover reading. We even discussed this in the discussion board, looking at how the media does not necessarily reflect a love of reading with the differences between gender roles. Getting boys to read, especially tweens can be difficult, however I was curious to see how many resources I could find.
The first website, and probably the most famous is Guysread. Created by author, Jon Sczieska, the webpage offers a list of book genres with about 5 – 10 titles.
Another website was YALSA’s offering book lists, but especially their Quick Picks for Reluctant Young Adult Readers. With current and previous lists at your disposal, the site offers lists as far back as 1997.
Family Circle also created a list based upon reader recommendations. The link, which offers a slideshow of 13 different titles were interesting. Some of the books, like that of The Maze Runner, seemed to be a bit old for tweens, but most were appropriate for tween readers.
Interestingly, Becnel’s article examines how library programming such as a breakfast book club with food can be a great motivator. While getting boys to come definitely depends upon the book chosen, Becnel’s article gives great tips and expectations for a tween book club.
Ultimately, however, most of the webpages and King Library searches yielded results that were not necessarily relevant to finding reading materials for tween boys. This does not necessarily mean that boys are not reading or that there are no quality materials for tween boys, but rather that information for this issue is not yet fully looked at or simply displayed online.
Resources
Becnel, K. (2006). Picture books and pancakes: Breakfast book club gets tweens into reading. Childrens & Libraries, 4(1), 26 – 27. Retrieved from Library Literature and Information Science.
Oppenheim, C. (2011). Best books for tween boys. Retrieved from http://www.familycircle.com/family-fun/fiction/best-books-for-tween-boys/
Guys Read. (2011). Guys read. Retrieved from http://www.guysread.com/.
Young Adult Library Services Association. (2011). Quick picks for reluctant readers. Retrieved from http://www.ala.org/ala/mgrps/divs/yalsa/booklistsawards/quickpicks/qphome.cfm
The first website, and probably the most famous is Guysread. Created by author, Jon Sczieska, the webpage offers a list of book genres with about 5 – 10 titles.
Another website was YALSA’s offering book lists, but especially their Quick Picks for Reluctant Young Adult Readers. With current and previous lists at your disposal, the site offers lists as far back as 1997.
Family Circle also created a list based upon reader recommendations. The link, which offers a slideshow of 13 different titles were interesting. Some of the books, like that of The Maze Runner, seemed to be a bit old for tweens, but most were appropriate for tween readers.
Interestingly, Becnel’s article examines how library programming such as a breakfast book club with food can be a great motivator. While getting boys to come definitely depends upon the book chosen, Becnel’s article gives great tips and expectations for a tween book club.
Ultimately, however, most of the webpages and King Library searches yielded results that were not necessarily relevant to finding reading materials for tween boys. This does not necessarily mean that boys are not reading or that there are no quality materials for tween boys, but rather that information for this issue is not yet fully looked at or simply displayed online.
Resources
Becnel, K. (2006). Picture books and pancakes: Breakfast book club gets tweens into reading. Childrens & Libraries, 4(1), 26 – 27. Retrieved from Library Literature and Information Science.
Oppenheim, C. (2011). Best books for tween boys. Retrieved from http://www.familycircle.com/family-fun/fiction/best-books-for-tween-boys/
Guys Read. (2011). Guys read. Retrieved from http://www.guysread.com/.
Young Adult Library Services Association. (2011). Quick picks for reluctant readers. Retrieved from http://www.ala.org/ala/mgrps/divs/yalsa/booklistsawards/quickpicks/qphome.cfm
Entry #10: Slang
I love the movie Better Off Dead, I ended up watching it this weekend. Before you wonder where this is going, John Cusack’s father in the movie is constantly trying to talk to him by using then current slang. Slang can be seen as a way for tweens and teens to express themselves, often to the horror and confusion of their parents. Furthermore, with texting and other forms of instant messaging, slang and informal communication is the norm. This week I thought I would take a more lighthearted approach and look at how the media portrays slang and how parents try to keep up.
As stated before and in many of the course readings, tween marketing is a huge business. Keeping up-to-date with fashions, lifestyle and especially slang can help marketers relate to demographics. This is well noticed by the media and can be seen in tween television shows, books, commercials and even in music.
Throughout many of the current books I read for the Digital Resources assignment, and especially that of Twist Magazine, slang repeatedly used. Many realize this, and even Disney Family website also has an article on teen slang and when to worry (Poremba, n.d.). In fact many websites do provide parents and other adults with dictionaries for slang.
However, it is interesting how some of these websites portray slang. For example, the site tweenparent.com has two separate tabs under Tween Lingo: a Tween Dictionary and Instant Message Definitions. On the first page for tween dictionary, the words Abercrombie Girl is defined as “A girl who dresses in Abercrombie and Fitch clothing. Often associated with being very thin, rich, conformist, materialistic and shallow.” I found this to be a very stereotypical and somewhat inaccurate response. It assumes that all girls who shop at this store must embody certain characteristics, and some that are not necessarily flattering. Such opinionated responses make me wonder about the submission process of the site.
Resources
Poremba, S. M. (n.d.). Understanding teen slang: Understanding your kids’ slang to know what they are talking about. Retrieved from http://family.go.com/parenting/pkg-teen/article-774523-understanding-teen-slang-t/
TweenParent, LLC. (n.d.). Tween Lingo. Retrieved from http://www.tweenparent.com/lingo/index
As stated before and in many of the course readings, tween marketing is a huge business. Keeping up-to-date with fashions, lifestyle and especially slang can help marketers relate to demographics. This is well noticed by the media and can be seen in tween television shows, books, commercials and even in music.
Throughout many of the current books I read for the Digital Resources assignment, and especially that of Twist Magazine, slang repeatedly used. Many realize this, and even Disney Family website also has an article on teen slang and when to worry (Poremba, n.d.). In fact many websites do provide parents and other adults with dictionaries for slang.
However, it is interesting how some of these websites portray slang. For example, the site tweenparent.com has two separate tabs under Tween Lingo: a Tween Dictionary and Instant Message Definitions. On the first page for tween dictionary, the words Abercrombie Girl is defined as “A girl who dresses in Abercrombie and Fitch clothing. Often associated with being very thin, rich, conformist, materialistic and shallow.” I found this to be a very stereotypical and somewhat inaccurate response. It assumes that all girls who shop at this store must embody certain characteristics, and some that are not necessarily flattering. Such opinionated responses make me wonder about the submission process of the site.
Resources
Poremba, S. M. (n.d.). Understanding teen slang: Understanding your kids’ slang to know what they are talking about. Retrieved from http://family.go.com/parenting/pkg-teen/article-774523-understanding-teen-slang-t/
TweenParent, LLC. (n.d.). Tween Lingo. Retrieved from http://www.tweenparent.com/lingo/index
Entry #9: Tweens and Sexual Orientation
Although not necessarily about tweens, the Fox television show Glee looks at a Glee club at a fictional high school. Watching reruns, I really liked Chris Colfer’s character, Kurt Hummel, who in the first season decides to come out. Watching Kurt’s character, and to be honest, laughing a bit when remembering what his father told him upon admitting his sexual orientation, made me wonder how gay teens are presented in the media and what types of resources were available to tweens.
Interestingly, I did find an article on Entertainment Weekly asking such a question about gay teens and tween networks (Armstrong, 2011). The article notes that many of today’s popular teen shows have a well represented amount of gay characters. Gay characters noticeably missing however, are shows on tween networks: Disney and Nickelodeon. Stating that Disney still feels that homosexuality is inappropriate for light-hearted programming, however how viewers interpret characters’ sexuality is entirely how they relate to them. However what age do young adults come out?
A USA Today article from 2007 cites that gay teens are coming out earlier to peers and family. What becomes interesting is that many of these teens referenced in this article stated that they knew they were gay in their tween years. While not substantiated or researched, I wonder whether or not this is fully realized in individuals before, during or after puberty. This could suggest that increased hormones and biological factors could indeed affect sexual realization. However, this also impacts tween networks, in that a population of their viewers (or non-viewers) fails to see them represented in the media.
As future libraries, the need to understand not only what these tweens and teens are going through but how these scenarios can affect family and friends is crucial. Tweens and teens need support regardless of one’s personal beliefs, as do parents and friends. Alex Sanchez’s website offers great reads about and for gay teens. Additionally cites like PFLAG (Parents, Families and Friends of Liesbians and Gays) can help parents, families, and friends find resources.
Resources
Armstrong, J. (2011). Gay teens: Do they belong on the tween networks?. Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved from http://popwatch.ew.com/2011/01/21/gay-teens-do-they-belong-on-the-tween-networks/
PFLAG. (2011). Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays. Retrieved from http://www.pflag.org
Sanchez, A. (n.d.). Rainbow Boys, Bait, and other novels about love and friendship-for teens and adults. Retrieved from http://www.alexsanchez.com/gay_teen_books.htm
USA Today. (2007). Gay teens coming out earlier to peers and family. Retrieved from http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2007-02-07-gay-teens-cover_x.htm
Interestingly, I did find an article on Entertainment Weekly asking such a question about gay teens and tween networks (Armstrong, 2011). The article notes that many of today’s popular teen shows have a well represented amount of gay characters. Gay characters noticeably missing however, are shows on tween networks: Disney and Nickelodeon. Stating that Disney still feels that homosexuality is inappropriate for light-hearted programming, however how viewers interpret characters’ sexuality is entirely how they relate to them. However what age do young adults come out?
A USA Today article from 2007 cites that gay teens are coming out earlier to peers and family. What becomes interesting is that many of these teens referenced in this article stated that they knew they were gay in their tween years. While not substantiated or researched, I wonder whether or not this is fully realized in individuals before, during or after puberty. This could suggest that increased hormones and biological factors could indeed affect sexual realization. However, this also impacts tween networks, in that a population of their viewers (or non-viewers) fails to see them represented in the media.
As future libraries, the need to understand not only what these tweens and teens are going through but how these scenarios can affect family and friends is crucial. Tweens and teens need support regardless of one’s personal beliefs, as do parents and friends. Alex Sanchez’s website offers great reads about and for gay teens. Additionally cites like PFLAG (Parents, Families and Friends of Liesbians and Gays) can help parents, families, and friends find resources.
Resources
Armstrong, J. (2011). Gay teens: Do they belong on the tween networks?. Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved from http://popwatch.ew.com/2011/01/21/gay-teens-do-they-belong-on-the-tween-networks/
PFLAG. (2011). Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays. Retrieved from http://www.pflag.org
Sanchez, A. (n.d.). Rainbow Boys, Bait, and other novels about love and friendship-for teens and adults. Retrieved from http://www.alexsanchez.com/gay_teen_books.htm
USA Today. (2007). Gay teens coming out earlier to peers and family. Retrieved from http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2007-02-07-gay-teens-cover_x.htm
Entry #8: Tween Obesity
During her husband’s presidency, Michelle Obama has been on a mission to combat childhood obesity with her Let’s Move! Campaign. Let’s Move! looks to end childhood obesity through education and common sense practices both at home and in schools. Met with mixed opinions amongst political parties, the campaign nevertheless has brought attention to the growing health concerns facing the youth today.
While not specific to tweens, the issue of obesity is still a major concern. Lightwood et al. (2009) looked to connect adolescent obesity with that of adult obesity, thereby increasing medical costs, health issues and lack of nutrition. Additionally, cites like the CDC cites the growing increase of obesity with a growth from 5.0% to 18.1% in 12 – 19 year olds from 1980 to 2008.
The Let’s Move! campaign looks to educate families, children and educators through calculations such as Body Mass Index (BMI), food and nutrition guidelines, physical activity ideas, and simple steps to start. Additionally, the program relays reasons for losing weight stating the increased chances of heart disease, Type 2 Diabetes, Asthma, Sleep Apnea and social discrimination.
While these programs are good for raising awareness, actual implementation might be somewhat flawed. The program uses BMI to calculate obesity, and while this is the traditional tool, it does not take into account bone structure, and athletes with growing muscles. Additionally, I find fault in the website’s generalization that social discrimination will occur if a person is obese. Tweens go through weight gains and weight losses throughout maturation, with girls and boys both gaining weight either through puberty or muscle. Focusing on the fact that you will be made fun of or discriminated against, while possible, to me would not be a motivating factor for losing weight.
Nevertheless, I agree with Let’s Move! in the fact that education must occur at the parent and school level. Children and tweens especially are dependent upon adults for food and to a certain degree physical activity, thus by providing youth with healthy opportunities and leading by example will bring awareness to the cause.
Resources
Center for Disease Control. (2011). Healthy youth!. Retrieved from http://www.cdc.gov/healthyyouth/obesity/index.htm
Let’s Move!. (2011). Let’s move! America’s move to raise a healthier generation of kids. Retrieved from http://www.letsmove.org
Lightwood, J., Bibbins-Domingo, K., Coxson, P., Wang, Y., Williams, L., et al.(2009). Forecasting the future economic burden of current adolescent overweight: An estimate of the coronary heart disease policy model. American Journal of Public Health, 99(12), 2230 – 2237. Retrieved from ProQuest.
While not specific to tweens, the issue of obesity is still a major concern. Lightwood et al. (2009) looked to connect adolescent obesity with that of adult obesity, thereby increasing medical costs, health issues and lack of nutrition. Additionally, cites like the CDC cites the growing increase of obesity with a growth from 5.0% to 18.1% in 12 – 19 year olds from 1980 to 2008.
The Let’s Move! campaign looks to educate families, children and educators through calculations such as Body Mass Index (BMI), food and nutrition guidelines, physical activity ideas, and simple steps to start. Additionally, the program relays reasons for losing weight stating the increased chances of heart disease, Type 2 Diabetes, Asthma, Sleep Apnea and social discrimination.
While these programs are good for raising awareness, actual implementation might be somewhat flawed. The program uses BMI to calculate obesity, and while this is the traditional tool, it does not take into account bone structure, and athletes with growing muscles. Additionally, I find fault in the website’s generalization that social discrimination will occur if a person is obese. Tweens go through weight gains and weight losses throughout maturation, with girls and boys both gaining weight either through puberty or muscle. Focusing on the fact that you will be made fun of or discriminated against, while possible, to me would not be a motivating factor for losing weight.
Nevertheless, I agree with Let’s Move! in the fact that education must occur at the parent and school level. Children and tweens especially are dependent upon adults for food and to a certain degree physical activity, thus by providing youth with healthy opportunities and leading by example will bring awareness to the cause.
Resources
Center for Disease Control. (2011). Healthy youth!. Retrieved from http://www.cdc.gov/healthyyouth/obesity/index.htm
Let’s Move!. (2011). Let’s move! America’s move to raise a healthier generation of kids. Retrieved from http://www.letsmove.org
Lightwood, J., Bibbins-Domingo, K., Coxson, P., Wang, Y., Williams, L., et al.(2009). Forecasting the future economic burden of current adolescent overweight: An estimate of the coronary heart disease policy model. American Journal of Public Health, 99(12), 2230 – 2237. Retrieved from ProQuest.
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