Authors are finding that they can write more freely about dark situations, and kids are eating it up. One by one, parents and teachers are pulling young adult (or YA) books off the shelves of places where kids can reach them, and for all different kinds of reasons. Some think kids will follow the example of characters doing nasty things, some think the books are poisoning the minds of kids with inaccurate portrayals of life. But, I think that the minds of kids who are reading these books are being underestimated. Banning books keeps kids from learning and growing, and relating to characters that can help them understand situations in their own lives, which is why I believe that banning books is wrong.
Firstly, banning books is wrong because kids need to understand situations like in these books in order for their minds and imaginations to grow and develop. One example of this is, in the article “Reading fiction ‘improves empathy’, study finds” by Alison Flood in the Guardian, Keith Oatley, a published novelist and professor at the University of Toronto in human development and applied psychology, says, “‘If I read genetics or astronomy, I get more expert at genetics or astronomy. If I read fiction, this kind of social thinking is what I would get better at.’” This helps me to know how these books and characters affect kids. They grow to become more empathetic and socially pleasurable through the examples and situations of these characters. Another example is, Oatley says in the same article, “‘It’s a result that shows that reading fiction improves understanding of others, and this has a very basic importance in society, not just in the general way making the world a better place by improving interpersonal understanding, but in specific areas such as politics, business, and education.’” This really made me think about the different uses there are for empathy and social adeptness, not just in a social life, but in a career. It is an important part in succeeding in any career path someone takes, including in school, and without it, kids would be lost.
Secondly, banning books is wrong because kids can easily relate to these characters, and they make them feel like they are not alone. For instance, Maureen Johnson, in the article from The Guardian “Yes, teen fiction can be dark, but it shows teenagers they are not alone” writes, “If subjects like these are real, they have happened to others, and they can be survived.” This makes me think about people who commit self-mutilation, or have suicidal thoughts, and how these books have characters that might have saved lives because teenagers see examples of how they can get through their issues. Furthermore, Maureen Johnson writes in the same article, “For teenagers, there is sometimes no message more critical that: you are not alone.” Like stated previously, this makes me think about how many lives books might have, and continue to, save. Or, just how much better kids feel about themselves when they know their situation is a known one, and that other people have felt what they have felt.
On the other hand, I can understand how some people would think that these books are maybe to frightening or sophisticated for some kids. For instance, the book “Go Ask Alice” by an anonymous girl about her life for a few months, and her struggle with drugs, does include some parts in which some people might think that she is glorifying drugs. She describes her “trips” as wonderful things. I can see how people would think that this book encourages kids to follow her path, and do drugs. But, this book is also very informative on the effects of drugs. The girl in this book runs away from home, becomes a victim of theft and rape, and eventually dies of a drug overdose. Overall, books like this one helps to give kids life lessons and inform them on different situations so that they don’t have the desire to go out and try it for themselves.
Everyone has their own reason for banning books. Some ban them for religious reasons, some because they want to protect their children, or maybe they just don’t believe in what the book has to say. All in all, I believe that banning books is wrong because these books help to educate kids about real world situations. And, yes, they are dark, but that is what is in the real world, and banning these books is almost like shielding children from what they are eventually bound to see. The adults are calling the shots, but the kids are taking the bullet.
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