There are proponents who think that its use creates a balance in what ought to be said and written, while opponents criticize on the basis of the threat it poses to the. However, with the power to access all kinds of information at the tips of your fingertips, dont you ever wonder if there are some things that you would be better off not knowing. Banned books week gives families a chance to celebrate reading, talk about censorship, and decide for themselves whats appropriate for kids to read. Pros and cons of censorship in schools 801 words bartleby. Censorship is when any type of media, such as movies, music, literature, and all. Pros and cons 7 significant pros and cons of censorship.
Although most countries use some form of censorship, there are pros and cons of the act of censoring. Internet censorship is the ability to restrict specific websites or online content from being viewed. The mere mention of the words automatically raise a red flag. What are the pros and cons of censoring books in school. Facts you must know about book censorship censorship. The history of books being banned in america is thought to stem back to 1852 when harriet beecher stowes uncle toms cabin was published. Pros and cons of censorship in schools vision launch media. Pros and cons of censorship in school libraries 949 words 4 pages. Many people remember the days when the internet young and nothing was censored. The united states of america, a country touted with the legal ability to address and redress violation of free speech. Nevertheless, the systematic use of the destruction of libraries in the ussr is part of the longest and most extensive censorship in the 20 th century. There truly is nothing sacred when it comes to banning books.
Sometimes, the content of a book is inherently bad. Go right on ahead and engage yourself with the rest of this article that dwells on the pros and cons of censorship. The coeur dalene school district complies with all applicable laws and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age 40 or older, genetic information, veteran status or disability in any educational programs or activities receiving federal financial assistance or in employment practices. Advocates say that censorship regulation, especially in the internet, can keep the people, particularly the children, from exposure to pornographic materials and racial discrimination. The issue at times, has become so controversial that it has literally divided the nation into several different groups. A book with an adult topic may be entirely enjoyable. Book censorship can be applied only to a certain age group. Or is book banning blanket censorship of materials that may help readers. Pros and cons of censorship censorship is prevalent in the modern society. However, schools can ban books without this lengthy procedure. In fact, it is a gutsy allegory on feminism and the human condition. Censorship can protect children from unhealthy content.
Teachers need to be creative in how they present lessons and how they can get through to students depending on their age and learning abilities. It limits a teachers freedom and creativity in methods and materials. Books are a way to go to places youve never been and to experience different things without ever leaving the comfort of your bed or couch. Book censorship is the act of some authority taking measures to suppress ideas and information within a book. The vast majority of challenges to reading material, according to the. It deprives people of learning about the world around them. Book censorship can be enacted at the national or subnational level, and can carry legal penalties for their infraction. Opponents of censorship point out that, when students are prevented from reading certain books or having access to certain materials, they lose the chance to be exposed to learn about new things and ideas. Censorship can reduce the impact of hate speech in society. In school libraries, the idea of censorship has always been considered. Those who choose to declare a censorship on books are appeasing the idea that we should not put ourselves in the position to read a book that may be seen as inappropriate. Who benefits when sherman alexies the absolutely true diary of parttime indian, which deals with racism, poverty, and disability, is banned. Book banning is the most widespread form of censorship in the united states.
A doubleedged sword the pros and cons of censorship. Censorship is the regulation of free speech and other forms of entrenched authority. Book banning is the most widespread form of censorship in the united states, with childrens literature being the primary target. I am not, in any way, in favour of book censorship. While reading adventures of huckleberry finn in school, teachers often spend full class periods discussing a very important issue. There are a few common reasons that books have been banned or censored in schools, libraries, and book stores.
Many people think that book censorship, challenges and book banning are things that happened in the distant past. How banning books marginalizes children the atlantic. The people doing the censoring get full control over what the rest of us read, enabling them to protect us from dangerous, disgusting or other dubious or forbidden content. Censorship can reduce the amount of conflict that is in society. Freespeech idealists argue that the solution to bad speech misinformation, lies, abusive language, etc. Censorship can serve a positive purpose if it restricts. There are arguments on both sides that have caused the line between censorship and free speech to become blurred. It takes the book away from someone who wants to read it.
It is a highly divisive issue with its own advantages and disadvantages. What some call book banning, many see as making responsible choices about what books are available in public and school libraries. Conflicts of censorship the pros and cons the censorship battle has largely been fought in the public school systems of this country, but has also affected public libraries as well. It may come in the form of an edit, regulation, or law issued by the government. Every time theres a fight over removing a book from a school classroom or a library, someone asks. Following each book synopsis is a short history of when, where, why, etc that book was banned. Censorship helps preserve the secrets of a nation being revealed. The nazi regime was infamous for their book pyres and deadly censorship in germany and the germanoccupied countries. Is it censorship that youre unable to go to your local taxpayerfunded branch and check out a copy of the protocols of the elders of zion. Our county has a group which reads the questionable book and determines whether its educational value exceeds the weight of the objections against it. Censorship controls the information that is brought to society. The people doing the censoring get full control over what th. At least, according to the list of banned or challenged books for 2015 that was released by the american library association. Book censorship tries to shelter us from certain books that carry messages that are known as controversial, but this promotes cleansing children from the harsh reality that we live in today.
Proponents of banning books say that the act of censorship isnt a process that is supposed to ban all speech. Jeremy waldron, a law professor at the new york university school of law. There are both pros and cons of internet censorship. The pros and cons of book censorship 652 words 3 pages. Over the years, there has been an ongoing debate about whether or not censorship is an acceptable government practice. But to complain that there is no free speech here or there that this cartoon or that book or that article was banned by whomever might be considered silly. One of the biggest issues being debated in todays society is the matter of censorship. So i will list pros and then answer them with cons. An anticensorship group in america has reported a flurry of attempted book bannings in the last quarter of the year and has said there are increasing numbers of books being taken off school. Religious conflicts are avoided by the censorship of material deemed insulting or offensive to a particular religious community. Stowes novel was banned in the south preceding the civil war for holding pro. Why we want parents to try to ban books the atlantic. It could also occur privately is an isp objects to the content that certain individuals wish to view.
Book banning has been defined down to mean making responsible decisions about what reading material is ageappropriate for school. How, one may ask, does such a seemingly primitive and authoritarian action exist in the context of the modern world, especially in a country such as the united states. Sexually explicit content, offensive language, and unsuited to any age group are the top three reasons cited for requesting a book be removed. For better or for worse, these books are still widely available. Censorship in the united states involves the suppression of speech or public communication and raises issues of freedom of speech, which is protected by the first amendment to the united states constitution. Government class, and i need to know some pros and cons of censorship. With the explosion of communication technology, it has become allpervasive. Should parents or other adults be able to ban books from schools and. It should be instructive to consider how the problem of censorship has been dealt with in the ancient world, in premodern times, and in the modern world. The pros and cons of censorship must be carefully considered to be fair to all parties concerned. Censorship is the suppression or prohibition of any parts of. You may also remember all of the controversy about the harry potter books in the early 2000s. Each book that is banned or censored is done so for the content within the pages.
In its 32year history alone, over 11,000 books have been challenged. Books have the ability to open your eyes to the beauty and horror of this world. Censorship can provide another level of security to a countrys profile. From moral issues that divide us and applied ethics ca. As a result, books can be removed from schools or libraries, although these bans do not extend outside of that area. The benefit of banned books childrens book council. Banning books is one of the most common forms of censorship that exists in the world today. The book, with its female protagonist, is set in the old west and uses profanity and violence to portray the plight of women during this era.
Both democratic and nondemocratic countries use it. The debate over the pros and cons of censorship in our society have been ongoing. About andor encouraging racism towards one or more group of people. Klass argues, though, that challenged or banned books can be a resource for parents to teach young readers about the world and about other. Banned books week began in 1982 to highlight the issues that surround this issue. Censorship of pornographic material prevents the corrupting of the children. Reasons for banning books banned books libguides at. It prevents children from being exposed to offensive things like pornography and intense racism. Evil is something were not sure about, but censorship sure is a necessity. Not even because the number one most challenged text is a book called ttyl, which is written entirely in text messagespeak, and therefore. Ap language and composition may 27th, 2014 to ban or not to ban censorship, the stifling of words, images, and ideas that are considered offensive, occurs whenever a person or group of people is able to successfully impose their views and morals onto others. You can look up whatever racist or sexist or politically controversial material you want to on the.
Books are often challenged for the language they contain, even though profanity is often used in literature to convey social or historical context, local dialect or simply to better depict reactions to reallife situations. The cons of censorship in school libraries are that if a particular book comes out and is popular enough for young people to have heard of and want to read, they will find a way to read it whether it is in the school library or not. Is there a censorship battle brewing in your community. It will help you to decide for yourself if censorship is required or if.
It might be because of racism such as the turner diaries or obviously mein kampf. Reasons for banning books banned books libguides at butler. Censors typically identify as either a concerned parent, community members who react to a text without reading, or local or national organizations. Care must be taken here not to assume that the modern democratic regime, of a selfgoverning people, is the only legitimate regime. To help you determine the reason why people are supporting the issue, here are of its advantages you need to realize. In certain locations, book censorship is deemed to be unlawful.
It exists not to curtail the freedom of the people but to protect them. But bad speech can, and often does, drown out the good. Censorship is necessary to preserve the secrets of a nation. The pros of censorship to help you determine the reason why people are supporting the issue, here are of its advantages you need to realize. Books may also be challenged at a local, community level. Interpretation of this fundamental freedom has varied since its enshrinement. However, in other locations, publications that are perceived to be in direct contrast with theocratic or moral standards may undergo book censorship. Is there any pros of censorship the censor of pornographic material prevents the corruption of children. They just choose not to order the books in the first place. The words that some people use to create feelings of personal superiority are damaging. The pros and cons of censorship 628 words 123 help me. Censorship is the control of information and ideas in a society. Pros and cons of censorship advantages and disadvantages. Advocates for banning a book or certain books fear that children will be swayed by its contents, which they regard as potentially dangerous.
385 534 1292 1495 1160 355 91 344 278 1315 371 1431 285 459 29 1228 1253 946 187 1374 1038 459 207 593 1226 438 1003 1494 583 590 120 584 407 735 1234 1278