Friday, September 27, 2019

Discussion: Trigger Warnings


This Week’s Topic: Trigger Warnings



As is often the case, I was unsettled by something I saw on Twitter. It was about trigger warnings. The user, who retweeted the post was admonishing the author, because that person essentially was saying that trigger warnings were unnecessary and ridiculous.

Well, I think that person was unnecessary and ridiculous.

I personally am not easily triggered, but it doesn't mean I think it's a non-issue for everyone.  I find it really insensitive to believe, that just because something isn't necessary for you, that is not necessary for anyone else. *getting down from my soapbox*

I do think there are many challenges associated with trigger warnings, though.

First and foremost, we are all shaped by our unique experiences and upbringing, and because of that, we may have sensitivities to a myriad of things. For instance, when they thought my father was dying from his cancer, I could not handle any mention of the c-word, but now, I can. So, one challenge, if you elect to include content warnings are if you are able to identify all the different things, that could possibly cause someone mental distress.

For me, as a reviewer, I find it hard, because some of the triggering content can also be spoilery. Therefore, I do not tend to include content warnings, but if someone point blank asked me for said information, I would let them know. I have had people ask me on Goodreads if a book had any particular content, and I have even DMed people, who wanted to know what spoiler many bloggers were eluding to in their reviews.

I think my biggest fear of including a content warning section is that I might miss something, and I would rather have someone ask me a very specific question, then mislead them into believing something that distresses them is not present in the book.

What are your feelings about content warnings?

Now it's your turn!

What are your thoughts about content warnings? 
Let us know in the comments!

42 comments:

  1. I go back and forth for similar reasons. While for the most part, I personally don't need trigger warnings, I know they are legitimate for some, but can be spoilers for others. At this time, I don't include them in my reviews.

    That being said, I am rather sensitive to plots where there is the death of a parent, especially a father. The audio book I'm currently listening to has the death of a parent about midway through and it caught me off guard. A trigger warning about this would have prepared me, but it would have also been a huge spoiler. I would still have read the book either way, but for me, I think I preferred not knowing and dealing with my grief as it came. Someone else may prefer to be spoiled, so it's really hard to say.
    Maybe trigger warnings could be treated like spoilers in Goodreads reviews, where the text is hidden but can be accessed if you wish to see it?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. And it's your situation exactly, that reinforces my belief that trigger warnings are important, and I do think some reviewers place them in spoiler tags, but do you read those? I know I only click the <> if I have already read the book or will never read the book.

      Delete
  2. I don't typically put trigger warnings in my reviews unless I see a pretty big trigger such as abuse throughout the story. I think that everyone has their own triggers. When I lost a baby, my sister bought me a book to cheer me up...and a baby died in the first chapter. I couldn't finish it but would be okay with it now. When my mom was battling cancer for the third time, I had a book for review to read about someone fighting an eventually dying from cancer...couldn't do it.

    Sometimes the best part of a story is the part that shocks you and I do worry that trigger warning could spoil that surprise. I am lucky that I don't really have a lot of triggers and the ones that I have had were only for a finite amount of time.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I think I included one about an animal death, because it was rather brutal, but I didn't explicitly say what happened. Your example and Michelle's example both show how something that may not have previously triggered you, became something you were sensitive to at the time. Like you, I feel like some of the things I would consider triggers serve as the big dramatic moments in the book. I think publishers should designate a spot in every book, maybe with the library of congress information, for triggers, and just list anything and everything. If they were in the same place in every book, readers who need this information would be able to find it.

      Delete
  3. I'm not normally trigger by much. But cancer is something I tend to try and steer clear of because I lost both of my parents to it. Lately it seems like I've come across a couple of book I'm reading someone ends up having it and I cried my eyes out. But at the same time, I could relate to the pain and loss.

    I agree that sometimes a trigger warning can give away something but I completely understand some type trigger warning when it comes to rape and sexual abuse though.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It seems we all tend to agree on the BIG things - abuse, rape, murder, animal cruelty, but I have seen trigger warnings for fat phobia, festish leanings, adoption -- there are so many things that people may be sensitive to, and I think it's a big responsibility to take on, if you choose to list those content warnings. Who should be doing that? I would think someone from the mental health field would be best qualified to determine triggering content, but I don't feel like publishers would spring for that.

      Delete
  4. I need to know if a animal dies. I'll stop reading until someone tells me lol but at different times I've wanted to avoid certain subject matter. Like dementia for one or long term parent care because I had just gone through it.

    I honestly don't get why anyone cares if there are warnings. if you don't need them cool - don't read them. If it just takes a simple warning to help a reader then who cares?

    Now, I do agree when it comes to me leaving them that I don't have a specific section for it. I try to talk about it in my review (like I just did with my Pride, Prejudiced and Other Flavors review) maybe with a spoiler warning if it's something that bothered me.

    I'm not sure that I'm able to identify all triggers for all readers so I agree with you there.

    Karen @ For What It's Worth

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm with you, and I sort of feel like that about everything. Good for you, that you don't need it, but why does it bother you that others do? That mentality, I will never understand. What you say at the end, did I identify everything? Or, more importantly, will the reader believe they are safely entering this book? I would hate to mislead someone, when it comes to something like that.

      Delete
  5. I'm personally am not easily triggered too but I totally agree that was really insensitive! I'm not sure how they should be used and by whom (is it the author's responsibility? the publishing house? We the reviewers too?) but I also find it hard also to give trigger warnings without spoiling! Great post Sam!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I have read several articles, where they believe it should be information listed along with all the other library of congress stuff. I was just saying above, wouldn't a mental health professional be the most qualified to identify such stuff? And, again, you have to consider how our race, religion, etc play into what we may be sensitive to. It's something that is very complex, and again, I would much rather someone ask me about something specific, than chance leaving something out.

      Delete
  6. If you think about it movie ratings are content warnings. So, it warns you about violence, nudity and such. Personally, I don't like reading about rape and it would not spoil the book to at least mention that there are scenes/or mentions about it.

    This begs the question: Would it be too much to ask for content ratings like movies & video games for books? hmm... can't really say. However, I wouldn't mind it. I need the warning. This is actually a hard topic! But great discussion.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. But, I am seeing trigger warnings in books that go way beyond what movie ratings include. Karen (above) finds it difficult to read about characters with dementia. I don't think I have ever seen a warning on anything about that. Violence, profanity, and nudity seem to always make the list, but everyone is so unique and sometimes, so are their triggers.

      Delete
  7. I try to include content warnings in my reviews, especially for little known books that I haven't seen people talk about. But I definitely get why you'd feel reluctant - it's daunting to think that someone would check my warnings and could very well be triggered by something I didn't think to include. Even so, I like to include them. Just a few weeks ago I was reading a chick-lit/contemporary romance novel, and a bit into it I started to suspect that the heroine may have been sexually assaulted - I was right. She ended up talking about it in explicit detail, which was important for her character and something positive, but a trigger warning would have been much appreciated. Going into a book for a cute romance and adorable story and getting something so rough (albeit important!) be a key thing without the blurb even hinting at it hit me hard, I can't even imagine how someone who's gone through what the heroine has gone through would have felt. Anyhow, as always this was a great discussion, Sam! :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I think I know what book you are talking about, and yeah, I didn't expect that either when I first started the book. I can only imagine if I had had a similar experience, it could have been difficult for me to read about. It's a daunting task, and I think people try to consider all the things that could set people off, but it's a difficult task. I recently read How to Be Remy Cameron, and some of the things Winters included on his list would not have registered as something to mention for me. Race, religion, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status -- all of this shapes who we are and the different things we may be sensitive too. I like the idea that I have seen around, with possible triggers being listed in the title pages of all books. Most of us don't read that stuff, but if you knew content warnings were there, and that you needed that information, it would be available.

      Delete
  8. I'm not someone who's easily triggered as well. See, this is why I read reviews first because some of the ones I trust actually put trigger warnings on it to let the other readers be aware. And one of the very few reasons why I appreciate book Twitter is also for the good ones who spread the trigger warning for books and they're not spoilery though, like that time when someone spread the trigger warnings for Bardugo's Ninth House book (and I am grateful because some of them actually took me aback, still would read the book though)

    "I think my biggest fear of including a content warning section is that I might miss something" - THIS. It wasn't a book but rather someone reblogged my edit on Tumblr years ago and they put the trigger warnings in the tags. I was surprised that "colors" was added to that list.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I don't really read reviews prior to reading a book (I just check stars), and I NEVER click the <> tag, but maybe I would, if there were things I was sensitive too. I mean, I cry when I read, but I won't spiral out, and I also monitor my moods, and know when I can handle something not so fluffy. I think it's great that there are resources for people (like book twitter), and like you found out, there are so many different things, that can trigger people. That is what I struggle with the most.

      Delete
  9. I include trigger warnings in my reviews. I totally hear you on some of them being spoiler-y, and that bothers me a little.

    But I think it would bother me more if one of my readers picked up a book or watched a film on my recommendation and was exposed to content that gave them a PTSD flashback or panic attack or something.

    It's definitely a conundrum, though, and I think the answer is different for every blogger/reviewer. So definitely no judgement from me for choosing not to disclose this stuff. :)

    As someone who has a couple of triggering topics that I hate to be surprised with, I go out of my way to read lots of different review for books/films that I so much as suspect might contain them. Generally, you can find at least one review that will make reference to the things I have trouble reading about if they're indeed part of the plot.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I would hate to omit something. There are things that I would call the "movie" warnings - violence, sex, profanity, but people can have so many triggers that fall outside of the norms. I am more comfortable having someone ask me if the book contained something specific, you know?

      Delete
  10. I don't really get triggered easily so I almost never need trigger warnings. Because of this, while I never mind seeing them, I never go out of my way to both look for them or post them myself. However, recently, I think it was with Ninth House where I saw this topic really come under scrutiny, I found the trigger warnings that were put out there really helpful for me in deciding not to pick up the book because they included things that I never even thought could possibly be in any book. After this, I'm much more appreciative of trigger warnings and I'm trying to be much more aware of them and adding them to my own reviews.

    bookstune.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I just saw a review for Ninth House - that sounds intense, but those are also pretty typical things that people consider triggers, whereas, I have seen some that have surprised me, and that's what worries me more.

      Delete
  11. Well Sam I think trigger warnings are essential! We don't all have the same life experience as you pointed out and some people could really be hurt/shocked or maybe relapse reading some triggering topics! If the synopsis does not mention triggers but I find major ones in the book (like drug abuse, rape ...) to hell with spoilers I will hint at said triggers, without giving specifics LOL

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Those are the ones that are generally considered things that people are sensitive to, but there are so many other things that can trigger people based on their sexual identity, race, religion, etc. I think it's so complex, and that's why I welcome anyone to ask me if there are specific things in the book, that could trigger them.

      Delete
  12. Yeah I think it's so hard! Because like you said, everyone's experiences are different, and different things can trigger different people. I DO think they're valid, I just don't always feel qualified putting them out myself? If I think that it's a pretty clear case of "oh crap some people will have trouble with XY or Z" in a book, I will say so (or even better, look to the author's social media/website because they'll often do their own, and I can just link) but for the most part, I don't. I have a REALLY hard time with death of children in books, but I don't really seek out whether a book has this.

    Also, I have put them under spoiler tags, too. That way if someone knows that certain things trigger them and they want to double check, they can, if others don't want to know, no harm done.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I feel like you, that I am not qualified to identify any and all things that may be triggering. There are always the obvious, but I think those will be out there, but there are things I have seen mentioned, that I never thought of, which is why I would prefer someone ask me about specific content. I do think, if you are going to include them, a hidden/spoiler type tag is the best way to do it, though, I sort of feel like it is the responsibility of the publisher to put them in every book, like in the title pages (which most people don't really look too hard at).

      Delete
  13. I know a lot of people who, like me, don't like reading books where dogs die or are subjected to extreme cruelty. I just can't read that kind of thing so I warn my friends if a dog dies or is badly hurt so it allows them to choose whether or not to read it. I know they appreciate that warning. I don't give warnings for other things specifically but it might crop up in my actual review when I'm talking generally about stuff I like or don't like but I really don't have time to sit and worry about what other people might get upset about. It takes me long enough to write book reviews as it is!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I have seen many people mention things they didn't like, but I am talking about explicitly having a trigger/content warning section, which I am seeing more and more. Yeah, I am always on edge, when reading a book with a dog, because I worry about them being a casualty.

      Delete
  14. I don't have a specific section for trigger warnings in my reviews, but I do try to mention things I think may be disturbing for some readers, animal cruelty for an example. I agree though that it's really challenging to warn readers without potentially spoiling.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. To me, mentioning something that disturbed you is different from saying these are triggering things, because the idea of a trigger is that it can really put someone in a bad place. For me, that seems like a big responsibility, but like I said, if someone reached out to me, I would answer any questions about a book. (as long as I could remember)

      Delete
  15. I do sometimes. I think if maybe there were a separate label for trigger warnings, then those that want them can click and those who don't won't be spoiled.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. But, I don't feel qualified to create a complete list, you know? I panic more about leaving things out. I agree with all the people out there, who think they should be contained in the title pages, though I am not sure who would be responsible for that. The publisher? The author? A trained metal health professional?

      Delete
  16. I absolutely agree about trigger warnings. I firmly believe that they need to be included. Sha and I have been making sure to include them in our reviews, because we know just how needed they can be. I know I personally read a book that included no warnings and mentioned nothing about the particular trigger warning period. When I discovered it, I was super startled, and honestly, it caused me to have a period of mental health issues because it was so realistically done that it put me back into the toxic mindframe. Had I found a trigger warning for it, I would have absolutely taken the book off my TBR since I couldn't handle it at that time in my mental health. I know it is hard with some that might be spoilery like death of a principal character or perhaps something that happens with a big twist, but I still always include. Wonderful discussion post, Sam! :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Do you include any sort of disclaimer, that you may not have included everything? I was a bit surprised, when I read some trigger warnings, because they are not things I would have thought to identify. There are the general things that can cause most people some discomfort - sex, assault/violence, profanity, cruelty to animals, abuse, but race, religion, sexuality, socioeconomics all play a part in what may discomfort or mental stress. I guess I feel unqualified to make those sorts of determinations, which is why I abstain, but hope someone would approach and ask if they wondered about specific content (which has happened in the past)

      Delete
  17. Quote: "So, one challenge, if you elect to include content warnings are if you are able to identify all the different things, that could possibly cause someone mental distress."

    Quote: "For me, as a reviewer, I find it hard, because some of the triggering content can also be spoilery."

    Both very valid points. I've been including a warning section in my reviews since the start, but I can only talk about the things that are easiest to recognise as potentially harming, or that have specifically harmed me...it's not like I (well, we all) can think of everything. Also, I don't go out of my way and take notes of every single potential trigger while I'm reading, and after I've finished the book, I might forget something that didn't even register with me. I guess, though, that as long as we point out the biggest issues, we're doing good. As for spoilers, I find it challenging and invigorating to try and talk around things LOL. Of course, for other reviewers, that may be a hard and annoying thing to do...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I agree, most trigger/content warnings I have seen, touch upon the things most of us would find not necessarily triggering, but disturbing, but I have seen others, that I would never have thought of. And, exactly what you said, is why I feel uncomfortable about having a specific content warning section. Do readers think we have included everything? Will they question if we left anything out? You can take care of the spoilers with a <> tag, but I can not assure I hit everything, especially because I am not that sensitive to a lot of what I read. I mean, I will shed tears, but I won't spiral out, you know?

      Delete
  18. I think content warnings are incredibly important. I don't have any personal triggers, but the more I learned about the book community and the more friends I made, the more I see they are especially important. I am trying to add trigger warnings in my book reviews more. I have managed it for my videos and now am working on it for my blog! I try to include them in an opt in opt out way. So you don't have to read them if you don't want to, but they are there if you need them.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I commend any people, who take on the daunting task of trying to identify all content that could trigger or make people uncomfortable. I personally do not feel I am qualified to present a complete list, and because of that, I stay away from labeling a section as such. I kind of feel like authors and/or publishers should be furnishing this information, since they are more well acquainted with the story and may have the resources to better ID all troublesome content, but that hasn't seemed to catch on yet.

      Delete
  19. For me, I include a few. Like you said, it's hard to know EVERYTHING. In fact, even the very word IN the trigger warnings could upset someone. I typically just include the ones that I find are obvious things that could cause a negative reaction (no matter how severe) in someone. If that makes sense? Granted, I do tailor to the genre/what the synopsis says. Like if I'm reading a horror, and it clearly states it's about an axe murderer, I don't feel it's super needed to say "there's murder". Also, as a side note, I usually call them Content Warnings in my reviews because there's some negative associations with the phrase Trigger Warnings.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Sort of like movie ratings - you cover the things that are known to have some sort of impact on most of the population, but it's those lesser ones that really worry me. Though just about everyone uses content warning and trigger warning interchangeable, they are sort of different. Someone could be somewhat uncomfortable with some content, but it won't cause they to have a mental health crisis. I also think of content warning as more general, whereas trigger warning are more personal, from everything I have read. I think labeling it as CW is the better choice, because I would expect that to be like the warnings we see on music, TV, and movies.

      Delete
  20. This is such an interesting discussion. I always do my very best to include trigger warnings and to do a little research after I've read to book and see a couple other reviews to see if there are triggers I might have missed. It's hard to know everything and it's hard to know what could and could not trigger people, for sure, but I'm doing my best to give the best list that I can, too, because I feel like it's important, too. I know that personally, I can be triggered by some content and I always appreciate being, warned, in a way, to know if I should stay off said book completely, or just to know that I need to be in the right headspace to read a certain book. I do thing that it's something that publishers should write in the books and I appreciate it when authors take the time to state out the triggers in their stories on their website or such :)
    Lovely discussion! :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I have to say, it's really awesome of you to do the research. An interesting point Molly made me think about, is how we see CW and TW used interchangeably, but they are somewhat different. (even more for me to think about) Like you, I do like the idea of authors or publishers putting the information in there, but it should be in the title pages of the book, you know, that fine print most of us skip, but if they put the warnings there, people who needed them would know where to look.

      Delete
  21. I don't include them in my reviews, either, but I think it's important that the information is available to people if they feel they need it. I don't think anyone has the right to tell other people that they shouldn't want to hear trigger warnings if they feel they need them.

    Nicole @ Feed Your Fiction Addiction

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Agreed. I wish the content/triggers were uniformly available, so that people who need it, know exactly where to find it. It should be something that comes with every book - at the back or in the title pages or via the publisher's website. Content warnings are easier than triggers to identify, but most books have beta readers, sensitivity readers, etc, and the publishers also have access to many early reviews. They could even have a feedback section, where they can gather ideas of possible triggers from the many different readers.

      Delete