SJ Longthorne

Been having a think about YA fiction. Lots of people shit on it as a 'lesser' form of literature, but that's not the case at all. If anything, YA actually has more use in our society; it helps to develop and expand malleable young minds by exposing them to philosophical dilemmas.

It can make moral, ethical, and philosophical conundrums both accessible and attractive while also providing positive role models and exposing young people to things they might have little experience of, like mental health and LGBT+ issues.

I think this is the reason it's often disregarded. People still see the issues young adults (and children) face as a "phase". Sexual and gender orientation, trying to find their place in the world, etc, all of this will "sort itself out" when they grow up.

That's so backwards D:

Yep. That's why it's especially important for the "millennial" generation to see otherwise. There is change happening - slowly - but more can always be done. There needs to be more literature, videogames, TV, etc, that deals with these sort of issues.

100%!!!

Steven Universe is still one of the best examples I've already seen, and it gives me so much hope. It's taken Rebecca Sugar 7 long years of hard fighting to get it to where it is today, but they and their team have done incredibly.