To Kill A Mockingbird Essays: Banning Books In Schools

The Scarlet Letter, The Diary of Anne Frank, and To Kill a Mockingbird all have something in common; these books, although great literary classics, have all been banned in schools throughout various points in history. These and other classics are vital for young adolescents to be exposed to since they instill important values and introduce wholly different eras with dated and unconventional ideas. Unfortunately, it has been decided by the government that such discrete books should be forbidden from schools due to parental concern for their children’s school reading. Even though this government interference protects what students read, such as the unconcealed use of profanity, racial slurs, and sexual references, books should not be banned in

The first amendment states citizens must have freedom of expression, whether it be through speech or press. By banning books, the government is monitoring what students can read, violating their right to exercise the first amendment. It is unconstitutional of the government to try and control what children can or cannot have full access to. Even though some of the best possible literature also happens to be some of the most controversial, prohibiting children from reading these literary classics does not enhance the moral values of these children, but instead makes the child curious in reading the book. Classic literatures, such as The Great Gatsby and The Grapes of Wrath were both banned due to their sexual references. Many conservative parents find their children reading such books a hassle because they find the content unsafe and later feel the need to explain the awkward topics with their child. For these reasons, books should be read in school that way, the teacher or mentor can explain these unusual topics with students. By allowing these controversial books to be read in school, children can also listen to the opinions of peers and in turn originate their own