Jax's Unsolicited Philosophy on Writing
When I published my first fiction novel in 2021, listed as paranormal/horror, I gave less than a second’s thought to trigger warnings. I mean, if you’re going to pick up a horror fiction book you’re going to get what you’re paying for. No?
As consumers we are aware of product safety labels, warnings to keep cleaning products out of the reach of children, food labelling for allergies and parental guidance in cinemas. Hell, they’re everywhere. Trigger or content warnings in media and publications are relatively new to me, less consistent and open for debate.
Being on the periphery of social media writing communities for several years has opened my eyes to the opinions of fellow writers on topics such as gender and sexuality, racism, mental health and disability and, not surprisingly, trigger warnings in books. Social media posts and stories are often a volatile mix of receptive and prejudiced beliefs and viewpoints evoking senseless and antagonistic comments.
So, are trigger warnings a generational thing, a concept of a flaky society, senseless or sensible? Increasingly, we’re hearing about sensitivity reading and content warnings for classic texts.1 Some research suggests that trigger warnings have little or no benefit to individuals with ‘psychological scars’. 2
To say, "I was triggered" is not to say, as it is frequently mischaracterized, "I got my delicate fee-fees hurt." It is to say, "I had a significantly mood-altering experience of anxiety." Someone who is triggered may experience anything from a brief moment of dizziness, to a shortness of breath and a racing pulse, to a full-blown panic attack.
Triggered. Melissa McEwan. Shakesville.com
I decided to ask my social media followers for their thoughts on trigger warnings and found that those with the strongest opinions were outspoken women of a certain generation with clear and consistently stated mental health concerns. One male author provided a very practical statement saying that it only took two minutes to add a trigger warning to the front of a book. Another male author said covering the main obvious ones is enough and that you simply cannot consider all possible triggers.
“Trigger warnings in books are no different from and just as important as road signs. A speed limit is there for a reason, to keep you safe, and has been agreed based on a load of factors. A ‘warning, risk of landslide’ sign or ‘adverse camber’ sign or whatever allows you to be aware, to make an informed decision as to whether you’re up for driving on that road. If you’re not great at driving in the rain or want to find an alternative route, the sign allows you to.”
Response from Instagram User
I dug a bit deeper and came across a myriad of articles on the concept of trigger warnings, including those insinuating that the need for trigger warnings were a ‘woke’ concept, that of a fragile society, an excuse not to participate, and that content warnings could undermine emotional resilience. In a publication by Nick Hillman, ‘You can’t say that!’ – New polling shows students want more controls on free expression 3 The Higher Education Policy Institute (HEPI) polled 1,000 full-time undergraduates on free speech issues. The results showed that 86% of students polled support trigger warnings (up from 68% in 2016).
In 2016, Libby Nelson published an article on Vox4 about the effect of trigger warnings in colleges and concluded by saying “Anxiety about trigger warnings isn't always only trauma or sensitivity. It's about the power that comes with being a consumer, and how students are using it.”
Research published in PLoS One: Typology of content warnings and trigger warnings: Systematic review 5 discussed the concept that globally, content warnings in printed materials and media varied due to specific cultural and contextual factors and that no inter-sectoral consensus or widely used typology of content warnings existed. The aim of the review was to develop a typology of content warnings.
Young people aren’t “snowflakes”, and we need to stop treating them as such. They’re smart. Switched on. On the whole (though I admit we might need to approach things differently with some of them in light of Andrew Tate) they understand the world of trigger warnings and misogyny and gender nuances and racism and LGBT+ rights better than we do – it’s second nature to them, whereas it may have taken the rest of us (including those well-meaning academics) several years to catch up.
Victoria Richards - It is a truth universally acknowledged that we don’t need ‘trigger warnings’ on Jane Austen - Voices, Independent
Has my opinion on trigger warnings changed?
I am a female of a certain generation with varying opinions about society and its concepts and politics. I have a diagnosis of early childhood trauma and PTSD. I grew up believing that most people and situations were harmful. Therapy helped me accept my conditions but I’ve never managed to overcome my fears or completely control my reactions to triggers. I’ve lived through a lot and I question everything. I have strong opinions but I don’t soapbox them. I do not invite society to make choices or decisions for me, and I resist inflicting my choices and decisions on society. However, society is evolving and with the passing of each year I feel more out of touch with the younger generations than ever before. I have never looked for trigger warnings on publications and never will. I read and feel and think and experience. I believe in freedom of speech and expression and value the ability to express myself and flex my imagination through my writing and art.
To quote my fellow writer once more, it takes two minutes to add a content warning to the front of a book. I accept that these warnings inform the potential reader so that they can make their own choices about exposure to the content within a publication. I am appreciative of the individuals that invest in my work, and whether it's helpful to them or not, I will happily comply where appropriate.
No harm done!
Thanks for reading!
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https://www.independent.co.uk/voices/trigger-warnings-jane-austen-greenwich-university-northanger-abbey-b2272579.html
https://www.psychologicalscience.org/news/releases/trigger-warnings-fail-to-help.html
https://www.vox.com/2015/9/10/9298577/trigger-warnings-college
Charles A, Hare-Duke L, Nudds H, Franklin D, Llewellyn-Beardsley J, Rennick-Egglestone S, Gust O, Ng F, Evans E, Knox E, Townsend E, Yeo C, Slade M. Typology of content warnings and trigger warnings: Systematic review. PLoS One. 2022 May 4;17(5):e0266722. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0266722. PMID: 35507551; PMCID: PMC9067675.
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