How many books are banned every year? In 2004, the American Library Association estimated that 547 books were banned or challenged in schools and libraries primarily in the US. Parents challenge books because they believe all explicit material will have a negative effect on their children. Explicit material can include anything from violence, harsh language, drugs, sexual situations and death, some of which are present in The Secret Life of Bees. Despite the scenes portraying racism, suicide, and violence including The Secret Life of Bees in schools presents the opportunity for students to learn how to deal with these challenges in a controlled classroom environment. Since the founding of the United States, racism has been and continues
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Many of the most popular video games portray extreme violence and death. Parents allows their children to spend days and nights playing violent games, but a book containing violence is unacceptable to thousands of parents around the United States. According to a study, “more than 60% of the children surveyed in the Comprehensive National Survey were exposed to violence within the past year, either directly or indirectly...” (Muscari 1). Close to daily exposure to violence on social media may have negative effects on adolescent mental health, however, discussing violent situations with an educated mindset in the classroom, students could fully understand how situations in the books are different from what the media portrays. Media often glorifies violence, especially in video games. Nonetheless, it is necessary that students understand that violence in books abets developing the story and can create real world connections with some students. Banning books from students only set them back for understanding and surviving in the real world. According to Graff, “in an era of heightened sensitivity about what and how we say things, we need ongoing conversations about how literature can be part of our lives without undue stress and controversy. This is especially true among youths who are denied access to books they want to read, as well as educators who are under intense scrutiny and are often told, rather than asked, what books would be of benefit to students” (Graff, 78). Educating future generations on a variety of life situations through literature is not only beneficial to the students, but also
Many of the most popular video games portray extreme violence and death. Parents allows their children to spend days and nights playing violent games, but a book containing violence is unacceptable to thousands of parents around the United States. According to a study, “more than 60% of the children surveyed in the Comprehensive National Survey were exposed to violence within the past year, either directly or indirectly...” (Muscari 1). Close to daily exposure to violence on social media may have negative effects on adolescent mental health, however, discussing violent situations with an educated mindset in the classroom, students could fully understand how situations in the books are different from what the media portrays. Media often glorifies violence, especially in video games. Nonetheless, it is necessary that students understand that violence in books abets developing the story and can create real world connections with some students. Banning books from students only set them back for understanding and surviving in the real world. According to Graff, “in an era of heightened sensitivity about what and how we say things, we need ongoing conversations about how literature can be part of our lives without undue stress and controversy. This is especially true among youths who are denied access to books they want to read, as well as educators who are under intense scrutiny and are often told, rather than asked, what books would be of benefit to students” (Graff, 78). Educating future generations on a variety of life situations through literature is not only beneficial to the students, but also