Banning books seems to be en vogue this decade.
In recent years there has been a rise in calls for book bans in schools on the grounds of morality and ideology. Starting in the United States groups of people have demanded books they deem inappropriate for children be removed from school libraries and curriculums.
Earlier this month a delegation to the District of 100 Mile House brought a list of dozens of books they feel should be removed from both the elementary school and public library. They argued so-called ‘SOGI Resources’ shouldn’t be available for children to read.
A few things to consider about this.
Firstly it is the right of parents to have an opinion on what their children are learning. It’s good to be involved in the life of your child and keep abreast of how they’re developing.
Secondly, SOGI or Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity, is not a curriculum, it’s an anti-bullying guideline and teaching philosophy about respecting others. There are no ‘SOGI Resources’ children are required to read for school.
Many of the books on that list tackle themes of acceptance, inclusion, LGBTQ+ issues and in a few cases sex-ed, the latter of which the delegation primarily pointed to. In isolation some of the passages and images do seem graphic, however, it’s worth noting those books are primarily available at the high school and public libraries.
Whenever there are calls for books or other media to be banned, typically it’s the result of a moral panic. These usually arise based on a partial understanding of a topic or group, sometimes enflamed by traditional or social media, creating concern and hostility towards that group or media. While some will use moral panics to further their own aims, the majority of those involved are typically regular people acting in good faith against a perceived threat.
Many of the books on the list presented to council have been in print for years, if not decades, and likely been available at local libraries for just as long. In that time there’s been no reports the Free Press knows of a child being exposed to harmful literature. If anything, calling for a ban of these books will likely cause them to be read more, not less. It’s called the Streisand effect and in the age of the Internet has proven true time after time.
Kids and teenagers are more resilient than many of us give them credit for. As parents and adults, our instincts are to shelter them from the world for as long as we can. But we can’t do it forever.
At some point, we need to allow them to grow, make their own mistakes and read their own books. Being exposed to new ideas and ways of life challenges our own, yes, but also helps us grow as individuals and as a society.
Perhaps one day we will grow beyond book bans and moral panics. We can but hope.
