청소년문학에 나타난 가족의 탄생 -뉴베리상수상작을 중심으로-

Abstract

All children have unique and individual experiences about family life, but theirworries and concerns about their relationship with their own family members areuniversal. Divorce and the death of parents can threaten their position in theirfamily, and placement in a foster or adoption family is particularly difficult foryoung teenagers. If left alone to face these difficulties, they lose their ability todepend on the family as a source of strength and comfort. By creating a "family curriculum," children can be guided through the rapidlychanging family scene while developing a sensitivity to children living in diversefamilies. Such a family curriculum would involve literary works for young teenagerssuch as Newbery Medal Winners that have main characters from diverse races andcultures with universal familial problems and concerns. Committed teachers and caregivers can enhance family-life education byintroducing quality children's literature to adolescents. This literature, which depictsa variety of unique family situations, can help children acquire a new respect forthe diversity of families. There is little doubt that by empathizing with believablestory characters with a particular point of view, children may learn to empathizewith others more sensitively. The six Newbery Award Winners commented on thisarticle can be a starting point toward that end. Reading and follow-up review of such literature can lead children to understand that commitment, support, and loveare the most important qualities in any family, and that these qualities can befound in a variety of domestic situations, cultures and ethnic backgrounds. These fictional works demonstrate that although changes in family structuremay be upsetting or disruptive initially, they can be turned into rewardingexperiences. Although not all family situations end happily, children learn how thecharacters in each story work to make their personal situation better.