Twilight Moms: Why Do Women Love Twilight?

03 Dec 2009

by amw

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I find it fascinating that so many moms are enthralled with the Twilight series.

Frankly, so am I! I’m really not embarrassed to admit it either. But should I be? Should I, along with all the other adult women who have become obsessed and addicted, do the walk of shame?

Why are so many older women so darn smitten?

I was a HUGE fan of the Anne Rice vampire series. Historical epics, especially during the American Civil War and Renaissance times, have always intrigued me. Throw in a few blood-thirsty vampires and I’m hooked.

But Twilight is based in modern day high school…uh teenagers??? So what is the appeal?

Are moms missing the romance? Do we crave the escape? Do wish we were teenagers again?

I asked a few Twilight Twitter moms why they love the Twilight series and here is what they said:

“I used to be the one who made fun of everybody else who ‘loved’ these books and movie – I would roll my eyes, shaking my head in disgust – I mean, really! A teenage romance about a vampire? And werewolves? Gag! Then, one day, I saw Twilight on TV… and I instantly fell in love. Despite the less than Oscar-worthy performances, I loved it. The next day, I bought all the books and have not been able to put them down! They are truly addictive, and it’s easy to get carried away in the love story. I guess it’s because we can all remember the first time we fell in love, the passion we had as teenagers… I loved New Moon, too – I thought the movie was so well done! Even the acting. Yes, I’m a Twilight addicted mama, and proud of it! The books keep me up way past my bedtime, and I only have one book left to read. I am not ashamed to say I have a Twilight obsession!” @MrsLoulou

~~~~~

“Twilight is an escape from an otherwise predictable life. The romance, the mystery, the thrill of the forbidden all contribute to the appeal. The series made me feel young and in love. It’s been forever since I felt so enraptured with a series of books. I couldn’t put it down the first time, I read all four in two weeks. My heart raced, I dreamed I was Bella and I lost myself in the romance.” @LiteMochaMom

~~~~~

“I think for me Twilight is such a draw because it gives me a bit of escapism while at the same time the story, while a fantasy is very relatable. The issues and characters are in a sense charactures of real life. The vampire theme seems to run in the background in a lot of ways. And Edward and Jacob are both pretty romantic hotties.” @seeJillrun

~~~~~

“I have always enjoyed reading fantasy books. So when a friend told me about Twilight I decided I needed to pick up the books. I started reading the first book and was hooked at once. For me I think the biggest draw was the romance. The story is also a quick read. I read all 4 books in about 2 weeks. I think Moms are attracted to the story because it is a great escape. The books were easy to read and quick. It was easy to get immersed in the world of Bella and Edward. It is every woman’s dream to fall head over heels, deeply in love with someone. And every woman understands the draw of a man that is just wrong for us. It’s kind of the bad boy crush.

I think to every Mom the story of Twilight takes us back to when we were young. We can escape the chaos of kids, husbands, work, the laundry and housework for a few moments and live in the romantic world of Bella.” @ImFreckles

~~~~~

I love Twilight because of Edward Cullen. And of course, because Robert Pattinson is such a hunk… (and the fact that he is only 23 and British makes me sigh). Back to the character… Edward Cullen is the kind of leading man that lives only in a woman’s dream. He’s intelligent, romantic AND stunning. In this day in age, with so many obligations, responsibilities and distractions, romance is lost. Chivalry is dead. It is innate for most women to crave fairy-tale love and romance.

It’s the Romeo and Juliet, Beauty and the Beast theme that gets me every time. Whether fictional or not, when I see two people who love each other and can’t be together, I am destroyed.

The idea that Bella is human and Edward is immortal, the fact that they can never be together, pulls my heart strings. That Edward is damned to be a ‘monster’ for eternity and that he would have to kill Bella to make her become a vampire, that he would damn her soul by taking her, is strangely romantic.

I’ve read the first two books and saw “New Moon” on opening weekend. I’m so excited to see what happens next… and millions of other moms like me are also anxiously waiting to watch the film adaptation of “Eclipse” next year. In the meantime, I’ll keep dreaming and drooling.

13 Comments

lz @ My Messy Paradise December 4, 2009 at 1:55 pm Reply

I completely agree with @seeJillrun. I think that was the initial appeal for Twilight. The reason they couldn't be together could have been money, family issues, whatever - the vampire story was fairly secondary. Not so much for the other books, but by then, it was too late for me!
Christine December 4, 2009 at 2:10 pm Reply

So fun! Thanks for including me. You won't be dissapointed with the next two books. I'll look forward to hearing more of what you think!
Maria @BOREDmommy December 4, 2009 at 2:35 pm Reply

TWILIGHT = SKATAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!
Loukia December 4, 2009 at 2:43 pm Reply

I loved this, Maria! Thanks for including me! I am madly in love with the Twilight Saga. And now that I'm finished reading Breaking Dawn, I feel so.... empty! Haha... I even read through Twilight again. I cannot wait to see Eclipse when it comes out in theatres! And I hope they get on making Breaking Dawn, too! :)

Maria - the other one - I wish I could handcuff you and make you read these books! I was totally in your shoes before I fell in love with the series... I wish you would at least watch the movies!
Denise Nielsen December 4, 2009 at 2:59 pm Reply

Although I am not a Twilight fan, and I don't get it, even my blog on the subject admitted that Myers got that whole teenage crush/1st love thing right and that the sexual tension between Bella and Edward was romantic and powerful,

I think the big attraction of the series is that it conjurs up the thrill of being young and in love again, with the fantasy of the chivalrous, sexy, adoring, romantic boy of our dreams thrown in for good measure.
Mommy in the Making December 4, 2009 at 3:10 pm Reply

I'm not a mom yet, but at 29, I'm a little too old to love Twilight -- but I do! (And I'm convinced that Rob Pattinson being only 6 years younger than me isn't so terrible... I mean, my mom was five years older than my dad...so yeah, totally doable -- no pun intended.)

I read the books before I watched any of the movies, and I do think Edward's character represents a kind of gentleman who's lost in this day and age. The books aren't amazingly written, but you end up caring so much about the characters. It's just a plain old good love story.
Jill December 4, 2009 at 3:26 pm Reply

Thanks Maria for including me as well :) I too was skeptical about the appeal. I didn't pick up the first book until August. I read all types of novels and believe that not all have to be deep and intellectual. If we are honest even though we like to watch Ralph Fiennes we all enjoy a bit of Vince Vaughn too. To the other Maria... don't knock it until you try it. We can't all be wrong :)
Loukia December 5, 2009 at 3:14 am Reply

Yes, I think since I'm roomies with Maria at BlogHer (keeping my fingers crossed that I go!) I will put Twilight on the TV in our hotel room! And then New Moon! And maybe she'll leave BlogHer an addict, too? ;)
amotherworld December 5, 2009 at 2:13 pm Reply

One of these days, we are going to tie Maria aka @BoredMommy down and force her to watch Twilight and New Moon hahahahahah!!!!
Elisa, The Unlikely Housewife December 6, 2009 at 6:58 pm Reply

I like the books, but the movies are kind of blah to me. Also, not enough sexual tension. Dude, teens have hormones and so do moms, show a few makeout scenes!
amotherworld December 7, 2009 at 1:16 pm Reply

Elisa, I'm surprised you didn't find there was enough sexual tension. I thought there was plenty! I found the less action, the more tension!
Rachel December 8, 2009 at 1:58 am Reply

Fun post!

I had no desire to read these books but, a friend loaned me her complete set for my birthday two years ago ( 2008) and I absolutely fell in love. I adored the tension and the characters. I don't know that I could explain it.
I was horribly disappointed in the first movie and the 2nd book ;-) hee hee.. no keywords there ;-)

I am however, excited to see New Moon, the movie. For my money.. the 3rd book was the best.
Loukia December 8, 2009 at 8:54 pm Reply

Rachel - the 3rd book was my favourite, too! And I like the book Twilight way more than Twilight the movie, but OMG the first kiss in the Twilight movie? LOVED it! Also, New Moon the movie is better than New Moon the book! :)

Twilight Moms: Why Do Women Love Twilight?

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