Judging You

People cannot raise their children. Who loses the blame game this week? Books.

Books are clearly the reason teenagers misbehave and learn about subjects too early in life. Why should a senior in high school learn about "homosexuality?" cry parents of Litchfield, NH. Well, chances are as 18 year-olds, they already know about it. But instead of thinking that this is perhaps the case, they banned David Sedaris from the short story reading class. Because an Ernest Hemingway short story discusses statutory rape and abortion, that is banned as well. The school board did not offer the teacher any support.

But perhaps the parents don't realize that reading about a gay man or abortion will not morph their children into gay, pro-choice liberals. Afterall, it is fiction. And if, against the odds, these kiddos didn't know anything about these topics in high school, then they are in for a few confusing few years when they enter the pearly gates of higher education.

Clicke here to read the article about the school board's decision.

In Utah and Louisiana, there are bills up for debate that allow parents to sue booksellers who let minors buy books with any form of nudity if the parent deems it "offensive." This can even be for books targeted at minors (think books about learning about puberty, or even Everybody Poops) that aren't "obscene" by the laws standards. We're not talking triple X here. This could make booksellers weary to sell any more adult books to minors, considering there is currently no rating system for books.

Parents, look at your children's video games and TV viewing patterns - or maybe even your own mirror - when you are worried about their moral fiber. Not their editions of Grey's Anatomy or "The Old Man and the Sea."