Should children's reading be censored?

Question

When I was young my parents pretty much let me read what I wanted, quite often on holiday I would read all my books then read all theirs -this never did me any harm... However, I have encountered parents who heavily control what their children read - personally I think this discourages reading and is unnecessary. What do you think? Did/do your parents control what you read?

What's wrong with comic books or romance novels? As long as they are reading I think it's good...

Please don't use my questions to advertise your rubbish e-fiction thanks.
"7 books published including SEARCH FOR THE SUN, the 2001 Eppie Award winner for Best Mystery" - how many times - NOBODY CARES.

I'm sorry if that sounds harsh - thanks for your answer and everything I just find your habit of crowing about being a 'writer' at every opportunity really, really irritating.

Answer 1

My parents, like yours, allowed me to read whatever I wanted. I followed their lead with my girls when they were younger. (They are now ages 17 and 19.) They have always asked--and usually have taken--my advice about books: Will I like this one? Did you like that one? On more than one occasion, especially when they were middle school aged and beginning to make the transition from children's to adult literature, I suggested they might enjoy a particular book more if they waited awhile, since the themes were fairly adult. Usually, they took my advice. I have never forbidden them to read anything.

Answer 2

Hi there.
There is no need to heavily control, there are thousands of great books that represent no threat. However, being an adult entails responsibility. Part of that is accepting that young minds can be corrupted and guarding against too early an exposure to inappropriate violence and sex in particular.
I can never understand why people want to rush children ito adulthood so quickly, we have a good long average lifespan and plenty of time for all books in their proper season.
Does this make me a throwback? To some views yes, but I apply the criteria to TV, film and music as well as books.
As an adult and parent, I cannot act otherwise - it would be moral cowardice and handing my responsibility over to a faceless crowd with a unknown agenda.
I am glad you received no harm, you appear to suggest this is good luck rather than good management, but would be interested to know what your parents thoughts were at the time.
Regards, Steve.

Answer 3

With the amount of time kids spend in front of the TV watching things that were never even thought OK to put on the air when I was younger and in front of some pretty graphic video games I am happy to see a kid reading just about anything!! I was never told what I could and couldn't read, and if it gave me nightmares then I learned, (ohhhh Stephen King) and either didn't read it right before bed or made sure it was something I could handle. Because my parents read so many different things I am a very eclectic reader and I love it. I agree with knowing what your children are reading but not censoring.

Answer 4

I don't think children's reading should be censored.
There is enough censorship in the world today without starting on children's books. And where would you start?
My children all read, and my middle child when asked what type of book he prefers answered, that he didn't know as "our house is full of books, on a wide variety of subjects" (He's just turned 18.)
My parents never stopped me reading, and I remember Mum giving me her copy of Forever Amber to read whilst I was still in high school. (but there weren't any teenage books then, straight from Enid Blyton to Jean Plaidy, and any other adult books.)
As a last point, where exactly would you start, if they were to be censored, as according to Alison Lurie, (American academic, and general author.) "All children's literature is subversive." Her book "Don't tell the grown-ups" explores this theory, and is very easy to read, as theory books go.

Answer 5

Like you my parents pretty much let me read what I wanted. In fact they encouraged me to read different things. It didn't have any effect on me except that I love literature and plan to make a career out of it. I believe that censorship should be done on a case by case basis. If a child can handle reading something that is meant for adults then by all means encourage it. By telling a kid "no, you can't" that only makes him or her want to more. Kids are going to hear/see/read about tough things eventually and if you KNOW what they're reading then you can at least sit down and talk about it with them, answer questions or tell them "I know what it says here, but I think..." The main point is KNOW WHAT YOUR KIDS ARE READING. Don't censor them, talk to them.

Answer 6

My reading material was never censored as a child and I now have a love of literature and have a career as a writer.
My Daughter loves reading and we try not to censor her either,it all depends on how old the child is & exactly what it is they want to read. I agree that it can cause the child to be put off reading in later life though if they are too heavily censored.

Answer 7

My parents never cared one way or the other what I read. They weren't readers.
I always provided my children with books. We kept a bookcase in the living room (still do) filled with all kinds of books. They were always free to read whatever they wanted.
I don't understand censoring, or controlling, what child reads. Unless, of course, someone reads those smutty romances...then I'd say, put them away somewhere.
Children will read what they find interest in. I don't know a sinlge child, my own or anyone elses, that will pick up a book to read that they don't like...ya know?

Answer 8

It depends who the parents are and whether their values agree with mine! : )

I was never censored in my reading as a child, and read everything I would find. The only censorship I would use with my own children would be from things too dark or frightening for their age group. Having said that I wouldnt like to have porn around for them to read either or books about serial killers...

Answer 9

I think kids should be able to read whatever they want for the most part. But their parents should keep an eye out and make sure what they are reading isn't sending them a bad message or something, since they could be poorly influenced.

Answer 10

i dont go so far as to edit parts or words out but i do monitor what they read . if i find it unsuitable i wont let them .you may be right on discouraging ,and thats one we cannot as parents afford ! as reading is most important of all.i was never controlled myself and read all i could when i was younger. i do however remember reading E.T. when we were in the fifth grade. the school paid someone to edit out swear words. i thought it was awful what they had done to the books! after yelling at us for years not to put any marks in them! also made it hard to read as the marker stained thru some of the page!