In Grand Haven and all across the country there is controversy regarding books available to students in school libraries. The books under the microscope include titles that contain explicit sexual material, and normalize or promote undesirable behavior such as teen drinking and drug use. In addition, there are objections to books that create division in our society. Although racial division is most commonly used to divide people in these types of books, any characteristic can be used such as gender, sexual orientation or economic status.
People who object to this material in school libraries typically argue that the material is divisive and/or not appropriate for children, but don’t want to ban it from society. They believe in the 1st Amendment, but don’t believe these controversial topics should be condoned by the school system. If the books do have a function in the school, these parents request these books get rated and parental consent be required before their children have access to them.
Proponents of purchasing these types of books for schools argue that these books save lives. When children see reflections of themselves in books, suicide rates decrease and children have more confidence. They also believe it is a child’s first amendment right to have access to ALL reading options regardless of age appropriateness.
Just to make it clear - we are in favor of parental permission and rating books in school libraries. We do not want to ban books.