This study is designed to encourage teens to talk openly about their take on how their "peers" in the movies deal with issues such as depression, risk-taking, body image, and abusive relationships as represented in the phenomenally popular movie New Moon in the Twilight series.
In this second title in the four-book series, Edward, Bella's vampire-boyfriend, breaks up with her in order to protect her from himself--in other words, he wants her to have a fully human life. This breakup leads to months of depression for Bella.
This all-encompassing, obsessive, life-altering love shared by Bella and Edward is clearly perceived as "romantic" to teens, even as most adults would consider the events in the film to be risky and tragic. And that, of course, is what makes this study such a great opportunity for youth groups. After all, if New Moon is "just a story," then teens can safely explore the tough issues it raises in a safe environment that is both impersonal and nonjudgmental.