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didnt tell her why she shouldnt read the book; they just told her that it
was unsuitable for her. Wouldnt it be much better if parents let their
children read the book of their choice then discussed the contents of
the book with the child instead? This way, the child would have a
better understanding of the book and might realize that the violent or
disrespectful actions of the characters in the book is wrong. Thus, if
parents really know what is best for their children, they should monitor
(click) but not control (click) the literary freedom of children. (click)
3. Moreover, if literature is subjective and open to interpretations, so
what might be considered inappropriate for one parent might not be
inappropriate to another parent so is it right that just because a group
of parents complained about the description of violence in a book that
the book has to be removed from the library? That is the same as
saying just because a hundred people dont like the Water Lilies by
Claude Monet (click) because the painting is fuzzy, vague and obscure
does that mean that it should be removed from the museum? Since
literature is so subjective, should parents really control what their
children read? (click)
4. After all, some children are more mature than others, which means
that even at the age of 5, some might understand that bullying is
wrong even if it is described as the cool thing to do in the book. And
once again, we must remember that the books that are challenged and
removed from libraries are often fiction books. (click)
5. By controlling the literary freedom of children, arent parents
preventing the growth of imagination? And isnt imagination often
associated with the mental ability to think outside the box and be
creative? (click)
Surely a child has the right to read a book and knows if a book is
suitable for them? But then again, dont parents know what is best for
nurturing a child?
Slide 8
CLAIM (logical decisions are ethical)
1. From parents perspectives, they will feel that it is logical to control
the books their children read as they feel that they know what is best
for the child as it is books that shapes the childs innocent mind.
(click)
2. After all it is often acknowledged that children are educated by
reading books even if it is fiction. Consequently, reading books
describing children of their age bullying younger students might give
readers the impression that bullying is normal and justified as the
characters in the book are not reprimanded for bullying other
students. (click)
3. 4.
In addition, it is widely assumed that a child that grows up in a violent
environment will develop a violent and aggressive personality and
thus, a child reading a book depicting violence and graphic images
may also develop a violent personality as they might have the
perception that beating up robots and bullying small students (as
depicted in Captain Underpants) is normal (click). So in some sense,
parents are linking logic and ethics to create a safe, enjoyable and
happy childhood for their children which is ethically correct. (click)
COUNTERCLAIM (But logical decisions might not necessarily be ethical)
1. Parents themselves, however often admit the fact that reading
educates. (click)
2. And one must remember the fact that if literature is art, and art is an
area of knowledge, is it plausible to say that preventing a child from
reading a book, it is the same as preventing them from acquiring
knowledge? (click)
3. Which then leads to the question, is it ethically right to restrict a child
from gaining knowledge? It might be logical to not let a 5 year old
read a book that advocates bullying but surely if the content of the
books were discussed, the child would be able to understand that this
book is fiction and that certain events in the book such as euthanasia
is both good and bad for the society. For example, another banned
book, The Giver (click) has been removed in libraries in America for
being unsuited for the age group due to violence, religious viewpoint
and the hint of suicide and euthanasia. Euthanasia might seem like a
subject that is too mature for children about 9 years old but be
reminded that each child has a different level of maturity and getting
them to think about these issues from a young age could possibly
enhance their critical thinking skills.
4. In addition, if parents can restrict a child from reading a book because
the content is unsuitable for their age group, does that means that
parents can also restrict a child from listening to certain pieces of
music because literature and music are both subcategories of art
which are so subjective to interpretation that a piece of art could be
ones antidote or ones worst nightmare. Thus, parents often try to
protect their children and provide their children with best education
that they can but sometimes restricting a child from fiction and
imagination found in books, (click) is not giving them room to grow
and mature. And is that what a parent is supposed to do? Is it ethical
for parents to be a hindrance for a childs development? After all,
literature is art which is an area of knowledgerestrict a child from
reading books and youre restricting a child from knowledge which in
my opinion is unethical. (click)
Slide 9 Does censorship harm or aid development?
CLAIM (Censorship aids development) (click) (click)
1. As I mentioned before, parents instinctively try to protect their
children from certain matters such as graphic pictures of warfare and
violence as they feel that the child is not mature enough to fully
understand these issues and may harm their development and
personality. If parents controlled everything around their children,
parents would ensure a safe upbringing for their child, as everything
the child learns would have a filter to ensure that no harmful content,
which may scar their development, will affect them. (click)
2. For example, in The Giver (click), babies who are born with slow
mental development are put to sleep as they will disrupt the (perfect)
(click)
To what extent should adults control the literary freedom of
children? (click)
It allows parents to control and be more involved in their childs
development (click)
But at the same time, it increases the chance that the child might
have a diminished enthusiasm for reading and may prevent the
growth of imagination (click)
To what extent are logical decisions ethical? (click)
As I mentioned earlier, parents know what is best for their child dont
they? So if parents restricts a child from reading a book in order to
create a safe and happy childhood, what they are doing is logical. But
is it necessarily ethical? (click) Literature is a form of art which
means that literature is knowledge (click) and preventing a child
from reading a book, restricts them from acquiring knowledge and
moral values that could be present in the book. (click)
Does censorship harm or aid development? (click)
Ignorance is bliss and if one does not know about the dangers of the
world, one does not have to worry about it. Which could in possibly
shape the personality of an optimistic, happy child who doesnt have
to worry about things such as food scarcity and security. But then
again, is being ignorant good? (click)
And when does ignorance become oblivion? And does that aid the
development of a child? OR does that lead to the development of a
close minded individual?
Slide 11
Conclusion (click)
In my opinion, if parents really know what is best for their children,
they should not control the literary freedom of children, instead they
should (click) monitor and make suggestions if they feel that the
book is unsuitable for the child and discuss the book with their
children and allow the child to decide for themselves if they still want
to read the book. This way, the childs enthusiasm for reading will not
be diminished. (click)
Allowing the child to read whatever book they wish to read will
stimulate the child to think little further to think about the importance
of the issues in the book and why it is frowned upon by different
communities. Reading can give children a different perspective of life
and lets them question and understand why parents want these books
to be removed from the libraries, which will enhance the childs
critical thinking skills, essential for the future. So parents should not
act as a filter for their children, instead they should grant their
children literary freedom and room for (click) growth. (click)
It is only when the child understands the concept of why parents want
books to be removed that the child will decide whether they still want
to read it or not. Self censorship is much better than forced
censorship as it will allow the child to start thinking critically for