Should schools ban books because some parents do not agree with the content? Or should schools teach opposing ideas?

2014-08-30T23:08:00-04:00

Should schools ban books for all students solely because some parents do not agree with the content, or should schools teach across a variety of topics to present opposing ideas?

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 30 at 2014 11:29 PM

2014-08-30T23:29:05-04:00

PO3 Private RallyPoint Member.

No!!! Obviously No!!! Without A Question No!!! Absolutely No!!! Hell No!!! Do Not Ban Books!!!

. . . https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yHzM1gXaiVo

The good news . . . Google and others are placing nearly every book online . . . often for free . . .

. . . http://books.google.com/ . . . http://www.ebook3000.com . . . http://www.ebookee.com . . .

Warmest Regards, Sandy

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 30 at 2014 11:56 PM

2014-08-30T23:56:30-04:00

PO3 Private RallyPoint Member - The problem with banning books is that information is denied and under-reported. Things like mutilations, honor killings and human rights violations can be swept under the rug. As well, science, any science, should be able to withstand scrutiny and criticism. And religion that is mandated to the exclusion of others leave a student wondering what they are missing. 1LT Sandy Annala

Never take anyone else's words as fact without first checking out what they said to you. All viewpoints are valuable. At CERN, the Higgs Boson may have been proven but even at that, certain particle physicists disagree with theoretical physicists. Unless we truly debate and struggle with evidence then the truth may be a lie or miscalculation.

Response by SFC Patrick Goyer made Aug 31 at 2014 12:12 AM

2014-08-31T00:12:09-04:00

Choosing to use this book does not equate to banning that book. Children and their parents have better access than ever to all kinds of books. They can be read or taught at a parents discretion. A school should be careful to use books that educate children without scandalizing them. Children who have to attend public school should not be at the mercy of every whacko who wants to spread their crazy ideas by requiring children to read their garbage.

Response by SFC Mark Merino made Aug 31 at 2014 1:38 AM

2014-08-31T01:38:26-04:00

PO3 Private RallyPoint Member Didn't work too well for the Nazis.....

Response by LTC Paul Labrador made Aug 31 at 2014 2:34 AM

2014-08-31T02:34:19-04:00

Should we go ahead and build the bonfire to burn them as well.....? ;o)

Response by MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca made Aug 31 at 2014 7:00 AM

2014-08-31T07:00:34-04:00

Well, here in Coventry, RI we'd be burning and banning the Google Chrome Books. This year our high school and middle school have officially gone paperless and textbook-less with every student being assigned a Chrome Book. All assignments, lessons and "books" come from the cloud.

Schools need to teach children to think as LTC Paul Labrador points out. This will lead them to form their own opinions, especially on controversial topics. Parents have debated school curriculum since time immemorial and that debate will continue especially with the growing schism in religion vs. science. As long as students are exposed to different points of views and not spoon fed then IMHO, the system is working.

Response by Col Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 31 at 2014 10:41 AM

2014-08-31T10:41:44-04:00

I think books should be protected via freedom of speech, and the schools can teach about a variety of topics and let each student decide for themselves. I don't think the preferences of a few should outweigh the rights of all. If the topic is something not approved by the parents, then they can educate their children to keep an open mind, but verify the truth and what they believe in. After all, everything printed isn't always accurate, but you have to read it to discover that fact!

Response by SFC Stephen P. made Aug 31 at 2014 11:07 AM

2014-08-31T11:07:13-04:00

Wrong question.

We have bans everywhere in practice. Public schools pick their literature and exclude (ban) everything else.

In most cases, the students have no real choice as to whether they attend these schools unless the parents are wealthy or connected. Even then the choices are limited by the competition of the public option.

If parents and students had a real choice in education, the bans would be irrelevant.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 1 at 2014 12:33 AM

2014-09-01T00:33:04-04:00

Depends on the content. Obviously, Fifty Shades of Grey shouldn't be included on the average high school reading list. If a teenager wants to read it, he or she should go raid Mom's closet.
However, a book shouldn't be banned simply because a few parents object to the use of the word "damn" on page 55 of Whatever.

The website http://www.pabbis.com/, gives an idea of some of the content of these books.

I do believe in age-appropriate books for schools. However, government-banned books are a no go.

Response by PO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 1 at 2014 8:51 AM

2014-09-01T08:51:33-04:00

Banning books is a terrible idea; yes there are of course books that may not be appropriate for a 3rd grader, but removing them from all mention is just putting them on a pedestal that will just cause that child to reach out and get it anyway. Telling me not to eat the cookie is just going to make me want it more. Now that I can freely buy them, I don't, but that's because I'm a fatty.

How about we go back in time and have our kids read what our great ancestors were learning. All these people we hold so high in regards were reading Greek poetry and classics. Now Shakespeare is starting to be phased out of high school because Romeo and Juliet is a little too spicy and dicey for some.

Response by SSG Robert Burns made Sep 1 at 2014 9:50 AM

2014-09-01T09:50:57-04:00

Math books....we should ban all math books.

Response by PO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 1 at 2014 12:23 PM

2014-09-01T12:23:29-04:00

Schools should PRIORITIZE issues affecting our country. Even if it includes having books that may seem controversial for some, but fulfill the bigger picture of the US state of the union.

That ALSO includes books with religiously controversial views. Don't like it? Send your child to 'politically correct' private school. Or move to a different country tailoring to your and your child's bias