Twilight Series bringing families closer together

March 14, 1:16 AMTwilight ExaminerAmanda Bell

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We've already seen that the demography of a Twilight fan is diverse and complex (see here for more on this or to comment). Yet, that's not the half of it.

"Twilight Moms" around the world are reporting that the series is giving them something to talk about with their own mothers, children, sisters, and friends. Avid fans are sharing their stories, news, opinions and friendships through impressive fan-sites such as Twilight Sisterhood, SimplyTwilight.com, or clubtwilight.flux.com, sites where thousands of fans join and share their memories and laughs with each other.

Despite the very personal nature of the tale of Bella Swan and her experience in Forks, Washington in the Twilight series, it is that very tale that is bringing fans closer together.

Mothers and daughters are sharing theories and deep conversations about literature; even grandmothers and their grandchildren are opening whole new lines of communication in response to the Twilight series. Young women are learning the value of chastity and regaining hopes of true love in the face of the cynicism that the twenty-first century has brought them. Women of all ages are brought back to the memories of first loves and the belief in their Prince Charming.

Critics of the series and its fans suggest that it is laden with sensationalism, sending the wrong message to teens and the public. Some critics say that the country's interest in fantasy stories and vampire tales such as Twilight are just silly. Even Stephen King has been known to criticize the series and its author Stephenie Meyer's writing.

Yet, with all of the positive impacts that the Twilight series has had upon the relationships of so many, how could it be wrong? Answer: it isn't. The series is a best-seller for good reason: it is a beautiful love story with many delicate emotions on careful display throughout the story; it promotes virtue, self-respect, and sacrifice; it has the effect of putting its reader into a joyous comfort zone, praying that the movie-studio handling the books' translations into film are authentic (see here).  The fact that, to add to its list of wonders, it is creating a threshold for the strengthening and creation of personal relationships and conversation is quite a bonus.

What do you think? Has the Twilight series brought you closer to someone? Leave your comments below!

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