
Sex is everywhere—TV shows, the internet, signs, ads, books, movies, and the list goes on. It’s teaching young adults that is the only way a relationship can be healthy. I want better for my daughter. I want her to know and understand that relationships are about more than sex and intimacy isn’t just sex.
Today’s world seems to be trying to influence our kids for some kind of personal gain or unknown agenda. Parents are teaching their kids what is good, yet the world says it’s bad. And the opposite is true, too: When parents teach their kids something is bad, the world waves it away and says, “No. That’s actually ok.”
The world gets those messages across effectively through books, movies, and music. (Have you listened to the radio lately? Or walked through the YA section in a bookstore? My goodness!) These types of media have a powerful effect on youth, which is why clean fiction books—without sex scenes—are so important for young adults.
Why Fiction Is So Powerful
When we read a nonfiction book, the information enters our brains.
But when we read a fiction book with relatable characters that we can connect with, the story enters our hearts.
And the heart is where the power is held because it influences many of our decisions.
Therefore, if a young adult is reading a book with a character they relate to, and that character makes bad choices with no consequences, then the child is going to be easily influenced to do the same. They will buy into those lies. That’s why clean fiction books are so important. Especially ones that teach the truth.
It’s not just a book: It’s a story that seeps into their mind and alters their thinking.
“Therefore, I urge you…to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God….Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.”
Romans 12:1-2, NIV
Why Clean Fiction Books Are So Important
Sales for YA books have skyrocketed in the past few years and the demand for clean fiction books for teens is great. Parents, educators, and even teens have become concerned about the explicit content that’s out there these days. Crystal Crawford says, “Young adults are at a critical stage in their moral and ethical development, and fiction can have a significant impact on how they view the world around them.” (Shaping the Future: The Moral Impact of Clean Fiction on Young Adults)
Clean fiction books are crucial for teens because the stories inside allow them a safe space to explore complex emotions, moral challenges, and diverse perspectives. This helps them develop empathy, critical thinking skills, and a strong sense of values without being exposed to potentially harmful content, which can be especially impactful during adolescence.
A well-written clean fiction book can offer ethical situations that encourage teens to think critically about right and wrong, teaching them good morals. And since they typically feature characters who model healthy behaviors and decision-making, they give young adults a positive example to follow.
Sex Scenes in YA Fiction Aren’t Necessary
When my daughter and I were strolling through the YA section in the bookstore recently, there were so many graphic novels with sex scenes happening right on the front cover. It was disgusting and quite embarrassing, to be honest. When did it become okay for sex to be the norm among teens?
Ephesians 5:3 instructs us that among us “there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or any kind of impurity…because these are improper for God’s holy people.”
Not even a hint equals zero. Nada. Zip. Zilch. None!
Skillful writers don’t need to write about closed-door hookups in order to get a young adult to read their book.
Romance Can Happen without Sex

The world sees intimacy as sex and nothing more. But what about romance and the aspects of friendship and selflessness? A godly romance focuses on love, which is defined as a self-sacrificial act (John 15:13). The foundation for love is service and sacrifice.
Stories can be told and relationships are possible without physical intimacy. They can focus on intimate gestures, such as holding hands or a hug, or even the brush of a character’s finger against another’s arm. Even a first kiss.
The Last Word
Today’s culture bombards young adults with messages that normalize and glorify sex, often overshadowing deeper aspects of relationships. Clean fiction provides teens with a safe space to explore complex emotions and moral dilemmas without being exposed to harmful or explicit content. Fiction has the unique ability to shape hearts and influence minds, making it a powerful tool for teaching empathy, critical thinking, and strong values.
By offering relatable characters and positive examples, clean fiction books prepare young adults with the tools to navigate relationships and life decisions in a healthy, godly way. Authors can portray true intimacy and romance without compromising morals or introducing unnecessary explicitness. Clean fiction isn’t just a preference—it’s a vital resource for shaping the hearts and minds of the next generation.
More Articles to Read:
5 Terrific Reasons Why Christian Teens Should Read Fiction