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Negative effect of censorship
Negative effect of censorship
Functions and importance of children's literature
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The minds of children are the most impressionable. Children are not born with any predetermined judgments or ideas about controversial subjects. They do not know what racism, homophobia, or discrimination are, or how to practice them. They are not born knowing what religion they will practice, or even what religion is. This fact about children is among the reasons that children's literature is as important as it is. For as long as humans have been creating them, there have been books that have been considered controversial. Children's books are no different. There have been children's books that have been banned from various places or groups, such as religious groups, schools, and even entire countries. The reasons behind the banning of these books vary, and the criticism of censorship as a practice is an issue that is widely debated. One modern book series that has been censored in varies outlets is the Harry Potter series by J.K Rowling. Censorship is one of the most controversial topics in the world of literature. To many, censorship is just another way of government or other organizations controlling the population. To others, it is the only way to ensure that children are readying appropriate materials. In theory, the idea of censorship is not entirely wrong. Developmentally, there are issues that children cannot handle at certain ages. For instance, a five year-old child should not be reading the same books as a twelve year-old, who should not be reading the same books as an eighteen year-old, simply because they are at varying degrees of developmental readiness for said books. The problem with censorship arises when observing the idea that the books that censorship is not occurring with consideration for the child. Most s... ... middle of paper ... ... help them form opinions on controversial subjects on their own. Works Cited "Banned & Challenged Classics." Ala.org. American Library Association, n.d. Web. 08 Dec. 2013. Cockrell, Amanda. "Harry Potter and the Witch Hunters: A Social Context for the Attacks on Harry Potter." The Journal of American Culture 29.1 (2006): 24-30. Print. Isajlovic-Terry, Natasha, and Lynne Mckechnie. "An Exploratory Study of Children's Views of Censorship." Children and Libraries (Spring 2012): 38-43. Print. Jones, Marnie. "The Threat to Imagination in Children's Literature." International Journal of the Book 3.2 (2005/2006): 71-76. Print. Kidd, Kenneth. "Not Censotship but Selection: Censorship And/as Prizing." Children's Literature in Education (2009): 197-216. Print. Moyers, Bill. "The Controversy over Children's Literature." PBS.org. PBS, 12 Mar. 2004. Web. 10 Dec. 2013.
Wilson, Nance S. “ZINDEL, Paul.” Continuum Encyclopedia Of Children’s Literature (2003): 848-849. Literary Reference Center. Web. 24 Jan. 2014.
She starts her article by describing her first contact with censorship and continues to talk about her experiences as an author with writing her own books being barred. She takes account of her personal views on how to handle topics people feel should be forbidden from children. She also adds that books should open up conversation between parents and their children. Blume states that we should not let fear be a deciding factor on what is right or wrong but rather be informed and educated about the things we fear. She also said , if applied, censorship is a personal choice and government should not decide what is suitable and what is not suitable for everyone else’s children.
...etter than ignorance. Book censorship should not limit the amount of knowledge a child can receive, instead, books should be used to benefit children in their education and future career.
Foerstel, Herbert N. Banned in the U.S.A.: a Reference Guide to Book Censorship in Schools and Public Libraries. Westport, CT: Greenwood, 1994. Print.
Senick, Gerard J., and Hedblad, Alan. Children’s Literature Review: Excerpts from Reviews, and Commentary on Books for Children and Young People (Volumes 14, 34, 35). Detroit, Michigan: Gale Research, 1995..
“It’s not just the books under fire now that worry me. It is the books that will never be written, the books that will never be read. And all due to the fear of censorship. As always, young readers will be the real losers” (Blume 1999). Judy Blume can not explain the problem of book censorship any clearer. The children are the real losers because they are the ones that are not able to read the classic works of literature which are the backbone of classroom discussions all across the United States.
The first main controversy of the Harry Potter series is the argument that Rowling’s stories promote paganism, which is against Christian beliefs. The Bible specifically states in Leviticus 20:26, “You shall not practice augury or witchcraft” (“Reading Matters”). Furthermore, the Bible supports the resentment towards paganism in Deuteronomy 18:10-12, stating that those found practicing witchcraft, casting spells, or contacting spirits are a disgrace to the Lord and will be driven out (qtd. in Mahoney). In Rowling’s book, witchcraft is an alluring practice. For instance, Hogwarts is described as a magical place one might wish to visit if the school existed. Consequently, many parents fear children who read these books will become intrigued by wizardry and attempt to learn these practices (Wilder Gish). Even J. K. Rowling has admitted that some readers are so convinced by the books that they believe the wizard world is real. These readers have sent...
Simmons, John S., and Eliza T. Dresang. School Censorship in the 21st Century: a Guide for Teachers and School Library Media Specialists. Newark, DE: International Reading Association, 2001. Print.
... (eds), Children’s Literature Classic Text and Contemporary Trends, Basingstoke, Palgrave Macmillan in association with Open University
The most debatable and controversial form of censorship today is the banning of books in school libraries. Banning books that educate students is wrong and selfish. Censorship of books in school libraries is neither uncommon nor an issue of the past. Books with artistic and cultural worth are still challenged constantly by those who want to control what others read. The roots of bigotry and illiteracy that fuel efforts to censor books and free expression are unacceptable and unconditional. Censoring school books in libraries can often lead to censorship of our basic freedoms guaranteed in the First Amendment. In some cases, a minority ends up dictating the majority in censorship cases. To be told what is permissible reading material and what is not is a direct violation of the First Amendment of the Constitution.
The discussion and knowledge of new, controversial, and necessary subjects is restricted among students due to censorship. Student access to books on topics such as self-harm, sexual orientation, depression, religion, etc. are limited because of censorship. These topics may not be appropriate for all individuals, but these books have the power to save lives, change lives, and awaken stud...
Retrieved December 2, 2002 from Lexis-Nexis/Academic database. This article addresses some of the reasons that censors attempt to remove books from the curriculum: Many censors feel that works are not age appropriate for students. Staff, Wire Reports. (2002 October 3). Book banning spans the globe.
Censorship is necessary for the common good. Government, religion and community leaders have banned books. Church leaders prohibit members from reading banned books to shelter them from obscene, immoral, and profane ideas. In addition to this, a young audience is more vulnerable and unable to process age inappropriate content. Those against censorship stated that “words carry weight” and that is a reason that materials with
That ugly things cancel out everything beautiful.” Continuing with the example of Harry Potter, the series also promotes the ideas of selflessness and love which are two traits that can greatly affect who someone grows up to be. This situation is reflected in the aforementioned quote too. Also, children that learn earlier on about sensitive issues tend to be open-minded about them and have a broader understanding of them (Hallman). Similarly, in an interview with Chetan Chauhan, a college student, he said that he thinks that with being able to read books with different views you can learn more about the issues and be able to form your own ideas (Chauhan). Furthermore, these books often teach children what is morally right and how to be the best they can be. Lastly, some of the most censored books are the ones that contain new ideas and concepts for people. According to Kathy Manno, a school librarian, one of the most common reasons for something to be censored was if the content was mystical or creepy which for most people would fit under the category of new
Literature has been part of society since pen met paper. It has recorded history, retold fables, and entertained adults for centuries. Literature intended for children, however, is a recent development. Though children’s literature is young, the texts can be separated into two categories by age. The exact splitting point is debatable, but as technology revolutionized in the mid-twentieth century is the dividing point between classic and contemporary. Today’s children’s literature is extraordinarily different from the classics that it evolved from, but yet as classic was transformed into modern, the literature kept many common features.