Gay Penguins - Children's Book

Not entirely sure where to put this...

From the BBC (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/8284509.stm).

Isn't this what we call censorship?
Or is it all a load of balony?

Sometimes I am astonished at the inconsistentcies that exist in media bans.

It seems that in America, and elsewhere, depictions of violence are far more permissible than depictions of sexuality. This is simply perverse. Literary sexuality is (usually) normal and constructive, when introduced at an appropriate age. Depictions of violence are not.

Frankly, I would much rather have my young son read about a loving, supportive relationship (even a gay one) instead of some violence and agression-filled publication, like a Marvel comic book.

Imho efforts to ban social and/or sexual themes say far more about the personal issues and problems of the folks doing the banning than anyone else.

Imo, leave the book alone, and let the parents and teachers determine if it's appropriate.

Other classic literature subjected to complaints include JD Salinger's The Catcher in the Rye, The Great Gatsby by F Scott Fitzgerald and To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee.

I'm guessing you don't have to be of sound mind to file a ban request? Because otherwise this is simply ridiculous.

A bit of good news is that not all the requests actually were removed from the library.

I'm a bit torn by the whole banning of books from a library or school. Its not sencorship as the writer and publisher are still free to produce the books. The library and schools are not funding themselves so the people who foot the bill should have a say as to what is permissable (not just publications but activities on the grounds etc).

There's a fine line to be walked there and undoubtedly there will be people that will disagree with whatever decision is made.













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I'm guessing you don't have to be of sound mind to file a ban request? Because otherwise this is simply ridiculous.

Well, I wouldn't say its ridiculous. I would think the people issuing the request for a ban are merely looking out for the best interest of the youth that consume and interpret this information, and if we stop asking what our kids are reading, we could quickly get into some deep water. I see far too many overprotective parents out there today and don't advocate limiting the potential of a student by restricting information. That being said, there is a certain age where some information is appropriate - if you start your kindergartens off drawing pictures of bloody shootouts, they may grow up having a difficult time discerning a problem with violence. There is another unfortunate trend where parents aren't taking the time to coach their kids in social, ethical and cultural rights-and-wrongs, and hence kids just expect that what they learn is how things are. This is all personal opinion of course, but I think books on topics like sexual preference should be left to an age level where kids are more in tune with that aspect of their lives and can make more coherent decisions on their own, not at an age where they are grasping the basics of reading and understanding the family unit.

Well, I wouldn't say its ridiculous. I would think the people issuing the request for a ban are merely looking out for the best interest of the youth that consume and interpret this information, and if we stop asking what our kids are reading, we could quickly get into some deep water. I see far too many overprotective parents out there today and don't advocate limiting the potential of a student by restricting information. That being said, there is a certain age where some information is appropriate - if you start your kindergartens off drawing pictures of bloody shootouts, they may grow up having a difficult time discerning a problem with violence. There is another unfortunate trend where parents aren't taking the time to coach their kids in social, ethical and cultural rights-and-wrongs, and hence kids just expect that what they learn is how things are. This is all personal opinion of course, but I think books on topics like sexual preference should be left to an age level where kids are more in tune with that aspect of their lives and can make more coherent decisions on their own, not at an age where they are grasping the basics of reading and understanding the family unit.
So you actually believe that reading a true story about 2 male penguins hatching an egg will make your child gay and ruin the American family?? :screwy:

It's simply a case of religious nuts fueled by ignorance and hate attempting to bully the world into conforming to their bigoted views. Nothing more... nothing less...

Well, I wouldn't say its ridiculous. I would think the people issuing the request for a ban are merely looking out for the best interest of the youth that consume and interpret this information, and if we stop asking what our kids are reading, we could quickly get into some deep water.

Well I was more referring to the requests to ban books like The Great Gatsby. Sure a few characters die, but there is no overt violence - and the book is a great historical artifact, as well as one of the best novels of its respective era. Somebody would have to have mush for brains to think it should be banned.