Not wishing to rain on the parade of both sides here, but it really makes zero difference - you can't enforce a ban on people's home reading, and as for the school or its library banning it from their own stock, even if it wasn't possible they could always prioritize something else.
One additional point: this isn't about free speech, it's about access to reading materials. Where I work, inmates can say anything they like. They just can't acquire books on child psychology or radio-controlled planes. I'm completely happy to be part of that particular repressive apparatus.
Originally posted by shavixmirThat's an nteresting point. Do you think, then, that schoolchildren should have access in their school libraries to the Anarchist Cookbook and other text which teach them how to make pipebombs, conceal a weapon, build a silencer, etc.?
No censorship, what so ever, when it comes to books.
Originally posted by der schwarze RitterAbsolutely. And, more importantly (since if they want to they'll get their
Do you think, then, that schoolchildren should have access in their school libraries to the Anarchist Cookbook and other text which teach them how to make pipebombs, conceal a weapon, build a silencer, etc.?
hands on such books whether you like them to or not) discuss the content
while teaching the kids about critical and independent thinking.
Originally posted by stockenWell, in this age of mediocrity, perhaps you're right. And who knows, maybe one of the little nippers will grow up to be the next Jack Bauer.
Absolutely. And, more importantly (since if they want to they'll get their
hands on such books whether you like them to or not) discuss the content
while teaching the kids about critical and independent thinking.
Originally posted by stockenI'd rate this as being more likely than the presence of the Anarchist's Cookbook in school libraries appreciably affecting the rate of violent crime (which concern isn't even relevant to the issue of censorship, which is about principle and not social practicality).
Grow up to be a fictional character?
Originally posted by ChronicLeakyThe Anarchist's Cookbook is stupid. It won't increase the rates of violent crime, but it will increase the rates of stupid teenagers blowing their hands off because they are reading a book THAT HAS STUPID INSTRUCTIONS THAT WILL CAUSE YOU TO BLOW YOUR HAND OFF IF YOU FOLLOW THEM.
I'd rate this as being more likely than the presence of the Anarchist's Cookbook in school libraries appreciably affecting the rate of violent crime (which concern isn't even relevant to the issue of censorship, which is about principle and not social practicality).
Originally posted by ArachnarchistMy initial thought is, like many other posters here, no, schools should not ban books and that teachers should be working with students to critically analyse controversial books.
Should schools be able to ban books because of their content?
Is there or is there not freedom of speech in schools?
However, there are two issues that impinge on this:
1. As a parent, I would be concerned with my child being able to easily access some material - eg. pornography. There may be a place for critical analysis of even this sort of material, but at a primary/elementary school? I don't think so. Hence, some sort of banning is appropriate.
2. Schools do not operate in a vacuum. Students spend more of their time out of schools and in the company of family and friends. What I might teach my students (I'm a teacher by the way) about critical thought with respect to a certain controversial text, can come to mean nothing when their parents, siblings or friends talk about these things from other perspectives.
There's no easy solution. I'd certainly err on the side of allowing many books, but we might need to more closely consider some.
Originally posted by XanthosNZOh. I've never seen it. They shouldn't read inaccurate books. Get those kids some Uncle Fester: "How to Make Thermonuclear Weapons To Make Mushroom Clouds Matching the Mushrooms You are Growing on the Walls of Your Meth Lab".
The Anarchist's Cookbook is stupid. It won't increase the rates of violent crime, but it will increase the rates of stupid teenagers blowing their hands off because they are reading a book THAT HAS STUPID INSTRUCTIONS THAT WILL CAUSE YOU TO BLOW YOUR HAND OFF IF YOU FOLLOW THEM.
Originally posted by ZahlanziAn 8 year old reading Mein Kampf woudl not understand it. Most adults struggle with it.
i agree this should be the case in universities, where students are adults and they can decide for themselves. but a 8 year old child reading mein kampf could get some ideas that would be very hard to fix.
Obviously an 8 year old would never even have it on the curriculum.
I read extracts of it when I was studying history.
the same goes for the communist manifesto. an 8 year ould would never have it on his reading list.
Nevertheless, both books are important to world history, and as such should not be banned, but studied. (but maybe not by 8 year olds)
Originally posted by knightwestexactly my point. a child cannot decide for itself on what to believe in, how to act, how to make responsible decisions. that is why we don't allow kids with porn videos and that is why parents should smack them silly if they catch them touching father's shotgun. If we don't allow them to carry knives in school why should we allow them the "Anarchist's Handbook" as ritter said? is that book different because it doesn't kill directly like an uzi does?
An 8 year old reading Mein Kampf woudl not understand it. Most adults struggle with it.
Obviously an 8 year old would never even have it on the curriculum.
I read extracts of it when I was studying history.
the same goes for the communist manifesto. an 8 year ould would never have it on his reading list.
Nevertheless, both books are important to world history, and as such should not be banned, but studied. (but maybe not by 8 year olds)
with the risk of sounding too blunt, children only have the rights we give them. and it is rightly so because we are responsible for their education and well-being. once they enter adulthood, they may enjoy the democratic right of driving, owning a gun and reading the anarchists handbook. until then they should read and do what they are told 😛
Originally posted by ArachnarchistNo! of course not.
Should schools be able to ban books because of their content?
Is there or is there not freedom of speech in schools?
The NAMBLA handbook should be available to all 1st graders .. the one with pictures.
Teachers need tools by which to "eduacate" their victims.
