This weekend the movie version of the best-selling youth fantasy book “Twilight,” written by Stephanie Meyers, opens in theaters, and no, I don’t plan to see it.

I picked up “Twilight,” for an assignment in my Popular Literature class this semester, and what I discovered was more than just another crappy boy-crazed book for young teens. The “Twilight” series, though not outwardly threatening, is a step back for feminists and a disturbing influence on impressionable young women.

If you’ve been fortunate enough to avoid the “Twilight” hysteria, here is the synopsis: Bella Swan, a nice, attractive 17-year old girl moves into the town of Forks, Wash. to live with her divorced father and meets Edward Cullen, a beautiful, mysterious boy who turns out to be a vampire.

Bella’s character revolves around trying to be with Edward, who shares her feelings and experiences frequent vampiric urges to drink her blood. Yet because he is a “good vampire,” his affection for Bella overpowers his nature.

The presence of vampires in “Twilight” presents a violent and sexual underlying theme, which can be compromising for young impressionable girls.

“Vampirism is all about complete control and mastery, total surrender, giving one’s very life essence to the other. . . If it’s about vampires, to me it’s full of both latent and overt sexuality,” said professor Robert Churchill, who taught “Twilight” in his Popular Literature class this semester.

In an era where gender roles are constantly changing, “Twilight” reinforces the traditional model. “For example, Bella is portrayed throughout the entire novel as clumsy, helpless and speechless, while Edward is the hero – smart, protective and strong,” said Arts & Sciences junior Mary Jane Pennella.

For the young girls who dominate the genre’s audience, the unrealistic relationship between Bella and Edward may not be obvious. For me this is the real problem with “Twilight.” The plethora of self-esteem issues young girls experience are not overcome by having mass-marketed role models like Bella, whose self-image is dictated by the reaction she receives from Edward.

I’m not saying “Twilight” is the anti-Christ of feminist lit, but it is certainly not helping young women develop into strong, independent members of society.

“Twilight” is not worth the literary attention is it receiving. Don’t get bit by Meyers.