Twilight: A Reflection of Our Culture’s Violence

Gender-based abuse is a deeply disturbing issue that can have lifelong effects on survivors. Shockingly, many survivors blame themselves for the violence they endure. This self-blame can stem from various factors, including a desire to keep some sense of control, internalization of the abuser’s justifications, feelings of betrayal, and confusion about one’s own reactions. The sad reality is that our society’s skewed ideas about sexual behaviors and gender roles contribute to this self-blame.

Gender violence is often perpetuated by deeply ingrained misogyny that allows those in power to exert control over others. The Zimbardo Prison Experiment illustrates how power imbalances can lead individuals to mistreat and dehumanize others. This dynamic is seen in romantic relationships as well, where women are often conditioned to be subservient to men and taught to be grateful for even basic rights and kindness. They are expected to prioritize men’s needs above their own and are often depicted as needing a man’s validation to feel fulfilled.

Author Stephenie Meyer’s Twilight series embodies these problematic dynamics. The protagonist, Bella, is relentlessly praised for sacrificing her own self-worth for the attention and love of her boyfriend, Edward. Despite Edward’s troubling behaviors like stalking and manipulation, Bella continues to prioritize his needs over her own. This unhealthy dynamic teaches young readers that self-sacrifice is the only way to demonstrate love, perpetuating harmful stereotypes about romantic relationships.

Edward’s selfish actions throughout the series, including placing Bella in life-threatening situations, are excused by the narrative, while Bella’s unwavering devotion to him is seen as noble. Bella’s struggles with severe depression in New Moon are portrayed in a concerning light, where her mental health issues are romanticized rather than addressed with proper care and support. Instead of setting boundaries and advocating for healthy relationships, the series glorifies toxic patterns of behavior.

In conclusion, it’s important to recognize and challenge the harmful gender norms and romanticized depictions of violence present in popular media like Twilight. By promoting conversations around consent, boundaries, and mutual respect, we can work towards a society free from gender-based violence and misogyny.