In the year 2022, over 2,500 books were banned in total. Books continue to get banned every year, which can negatively impact students in many ways. While some books can expose students to sensitive topics, books should not be banned in schools because they limit students' perspectives and decrease students’ engagement in reading. Books, especially banned books, can broaden students' minds and if they are banned then their perspectives will be limited. A teacher in Georgia read a book for her class and was "fired for reading a best-selling children’s book to her class, My Shadow is Purple" (McArdle and Wilkerson's). The book My Shadow is Purple talks about topics like inclusivity and staying true to yourself, so if books similar to this one are banned then …show more content…
So if they aren't able to read, students' GPA will not be as good, most likely because they have become disengaged in reading. While books should be banned, books can still expose people to morally mature situations. Many people claim that books that are banned contain "graphic violence, is sexually explicit, or includes offensive language" (Webb). People might think this justifies the banning of books because parents don't want their kids learning these things, especially if it is being taught in school. Also, if books go unbanned, kids could stumble across these topics way younger than they are supposed to. If students want to learn new information, then they need to step outside of their comfort zone, which includes exposing themselves to harsh topics and if books are banned, that is unlikely to happen. Some banned books "are viewed to have 'inappropriate' themes for the age level at which they are written for" (“New First Book Study Tackles National Issue of Banned Books”). Most themes in banned books are inappropriate, being way higher than the recommended age shows that students can read higher than what they are supposed to and banning these books limits
The practice of the censorship of books in schools has been prevalent due to the explicit content of them. Parents have been complaining to schools about books that count as required reading because they disapprove with the points made in the book. If a book consists of offensive or sexually explicit material, then parents would challenge the schools about them in order to prevent their children from reading them. Censorship in general has been an intensely debated issue because it is considered an infringement to the First Amendment of the United States Constitution while others argue it is used to conceal inappropriate things (Aliprandini and Sprague). The banning of books in school curriculum has also been debated since parents see certain books as inappropriate while others argue that banning them hinders student learning. Against the censorship of books in schools, Fenice Boyd and Nancy Bailey, authors of Journal of Adolescent and Adult Literacy, believe that banning books creates a barrier between students and intellectual development (Boyd and Bailey, 655). Banning books from schools and removing them from the curriculum prevents students from exploring different ideas and developing creativity and critical thinking skills.
As the American Library Association notes, books are usually banned "with the best intention…to protect others, frequently children, from difficult ideas and information." (Brunner). If a book has frightening or controversial ideas in them, adults willing often censor that book from children. From 2000 to 2009, of the 5,099 challenges that were reported, 1,639 of these challenges were in school libraries and 30 challenges in academic libraries. (Frequently Challenged Books). At various times in American history, even some of the tamest books have been banned. Harriet the Spy, was banned because it supposedly taught children to "lie, spy, back-talk, and curse." Anne Frank: The Diary of a Young Girl was banned for being too depressing. A Light in the Attic, by Shel Silverstein, was banned because it might encourage kids to break dishes so they won't have to dry them. (Frequently Challenged Books). While some of these excuses are more reasonable than other excuses, the banning of these books prevents the children from empathizing...
Banning books from public schools and public libraries is wrong. It’s irrational to have a parent or school board member’s opinion determine what a school district should be reading. Books including and not limited to, The Scarlet Letter, The Great Gatsby, To Kill a Mockingbird, The Lord of the Flies, and Animal Farm all have one thing in common. They have all at one time or another been subject to banishment. These literary classics have been around for a long time and proved to be vital to the education of many, especially children and adolescents. These novels teach values and educate children about world affairs that can not come from an everyday experience. These controversial novels encompass the materials that ultimately boost our educational wealth. Banning books infringe
School boards and teachers have a responsibility for protecting the minds of their students and covering age appropriate material. However, does this responsibility cover the extreme act of banning books from school classrooms? Does not the teacher have a duty to introduce to their students world issues in order to better the students ability to cope with problems in the world? How does a school decide which books should be banned from the classroom, and should it be left up to the teacher to decide what is decided in his/her classroom. By banning books from the classroom, we prevent our students from learning about controversial topics in a safe environment, and we also encroach upon the student’s freedom of reading what they want in school.
Literature has long been an important part of human life. We express our feelings with ink and paper; we spill out our souls on dried wood pulp. Writing has been form of release and enjoyment since the beginning of written language. You can tell a story, make yourself a hero. You can live out all your fantasies. You can explore all of your thoughts, feelings, and emotions, and share them with the outside world. But just because you can write, don't think you are uninhibited!
Imagine you have a child. This child loves to read books on their own. They read so much you finally tell them to get their books from the library. Then, one day, your child asks you what does this word mean, you are horrified to see that the child is pointing to a curse word. From that point on the child gets in trouble with teachers and other adults for saying that word. This is why book banning is necessary to keep children from finding themselves in that situation and others. Book banning is required because a child may be taught bad habits, lose the magical innocence of childhood, and because children may not be mature enough to decide what materials to read.
The first amendment of the U.S. Constitution states, “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances (Buchanan).” With the banning and the challenging of books all over the U.S. I believe that our first amendment is being jeopardized. We should be allowed to read whatever we want to read it is our right according to the first amendment in the U.S. Constitution with freedom of speech.
Censorship in School Libraries 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.
Book banning denies readers access to different viewpoints and experiences. When certain books are removed from circulation, readers are denied the opportunity to engage with different cultures, beliefs, and viewpoints. This bias involves ignorance and reinforces stereotypes, blocking social progress and understanding. In educational settings, book banning challenges the pursuit of knowledge and critical thinking. By restricting access to certain books, teachers are forced to limit their ability to provide students with a well-rounded education.
It is an overlooked topic that should be considered by everyone because, in turn, this will hurt a child's education. It also goes to show how kids will lack their creative side of learning because they are lacking the opportunity to explore the different perspectives being explored in books and how to incorporate them into their own creative endeavor. Also seen through Text 4: Book Bans Are Really About Oppression of Diverse Ideas,” it conveys, “As a parent, I know that books should be viewed as tools of enlightenment, not tools of oppression.” This quotation also demonstrates how, despite the fact that not all parents are against book banning, one that is against it is aware of the bigger picture book banning may have on their children as well for children in general. This parent takes into consideration the way books should be used, rather than the way they should be
Benjamin Franklin once wrote, “If all printers were determined not to print anything till they were sure it would offend nobody, there would be very little printed.” Books are being outlawed for trying to spread knowledge to young and impressionable minds. Several states have begun the process of censoring books, also referred to as burning books. The censorship of these books stems from concerned parents and politicians who believe that the messages shared on the pages of certain books are unfit for the eyes of growing children and young adults. The process of banning books needs to be stopped because it limits freedom of speech, restricts self-discovery and representation, and creates less exposure to different perspectives.
Nowadays, books are being banned from schools, left and right. It is understandable that some situations may be tough to read about, but they are daily occurrences in some places. People are banning books because of the discomfort that comes from them, not thinking about the potential consequences of their actions. There are many reasons to read painful literature, and by banning books, we are restricting our future generations from potentially crucial knowledge. Although uncomfortable, the topics talked about in these books are very real and reading about them is beneficial in many ways.
Throughout society, many people fight over whether or not books should be banned. Books have been debated in different school districts for a very long time due to the topics involved in some of the books written. Some people believe that many books are classics and should be kept since they are a part of our history. They believe books can help guide people on how to act and teach a student many things. On the other hand, other people believe that books should be banned due to the many topics that aren’t suitable for children and students to learn about.
Banned books can be a threat to children and teenagers. There are many reasons parents and guardians agree with this. Some parents or guardians want to be able to control what their child reads and what they are exposed to. Children or teenagers should not be exposed to inappropriate content that is not appropriate for their age group. Some other religious authorities want to control the spread of dangerous ideas and the information available to their followers.
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