Yes, parents do have responsibility for their children’s education — to a point, as the cases cited by Steve show. I strongly object to one parent or a few parents being able to control the education of other people’s children. If one student wants an alternative book, I’ve got no problem with that. But for a parent to ask a school board to ban a book so that no student can read it is going too far. Parents are completely free to send their kids to a private religious school or to homeschool them if they wish to limit and have more control over their children’s education. Nothing is stopping them. But when they choose to send their children to public school, they have chosen to give up some of that control.

‘Blau v. Fort Thomas’ states that “[w]hile parents may have a fundamental right to decide whether to send their child to a public school, they do not have a fundamental right generally to direct how a public school teaches their child. Whether it is the school curriculum, the hours of the school day, school discipline, the timing and content of examinations, the individuals hired to teach at the school, the extracurricular activities offered at the school or, as here, a dress code, these issues of public education are generally ‘committed to the control of state and local authorities.’ Goss v. Lopez, 419 U.S. 565, 578 (1975)” [emphasis original].

‘Leebaert v. Harrington’ is summarized by the reference in ‘Blau’ as “[t]he fundamental right to control the upbringing and education of one’s child does not include ‘the right to tell public schools what to teach or what not to teach him or her.’”

‘Monteiro v. Temple Union High School’ (9th Circuit, 1998) states “the function of books and other literary materials, as well as of education itself, is to stimulate thought, to explore ideas, to engender intellectual exchanges. Bad ideas should be countered with good ones, not banned by the courts. One of the roles of teachers is to guide students through the difficult process of becoming educated, to help them learn how to discriminate between good concepts and bad, to benefit from the errors society has made in the past, to improve their minds and characters.”

Milla, so what if Conroy’s material was published on this site? That would prove there are some graphic details within his literature, but you’re missing the point. These young adults will soon be exposed to a world where mommy and daddy aren’t always there to filter their experiences. Discussion of controversial issues can help students develop their own opinions regarding moral and social issues.

Now, I challenge you to publish in this blog graphic excerpts from Conroy’s books. But, hey, NO asterisks, please!

The exceptional thing in all of this has been the students! They know their First Amendment rights and have articulated them well and passionately. Their grasp of the issue is beyond the years of those protesting and some of whom will be voting on it. I figure, if these students will stand up for 700 pages of fiction, then when a much larger life issue confronts them, they will be able to speak up for what they believe.

I just want to point out a couple of things. First of all, our teachers did warn us. Second, while we agree that parents have the right to restrict their child’s reading material, that parent does not have the right to restrict the rest of us.

Also, there is already a rating system in place. The American Library Association (ALA) is the accepted rating. They have rated both books as ages 15-18. Our ages.

But after all that, I just want to say thanks for supporting us.

Sincerely,

Makenzie Hatfield

I love the point about the Bible, which a commenter made in my first post about this Pat Conroy controversy, because I think that point might really bring it home for the Bible-beaters who faint at the mere mention of sex. It’s all about context, isn’t it?

To add to your examples of what reading these books might lead to, I just keep thinking how valuable Conroy’s books would be for a student who is from an abusive home, which is all too common. I would think that reading someone else’s account of family abuse would be especially significant to someone who has experienced it herself, especially knowing that it’s based on the author’s own abusive childhood. He got through it and here he is writing acclaimed books about it.

Have you ever had a situation where a parent was opposed to his/her child reading a particular book, but the student has no problem with it? Is a parent allowed to force a kid to read an alternative book? Have there ever been any books that have been banned in Kanawha County, that you’re aware of?

Thanks again for leaving a comment. AP English remains one of my very favorite classes (including high school, college, and law school). I had a fantastic teacher. His writing assignments were so much more creative and instructive than any others I’ve ever had. Hope you come back to continue the conversation!

How do I give a disclaimer? “The book you are about to read may contain instances of profanity, violence, rape, sex, masturbation, abuse, and religious insensitivities?” That’s almost the disclaimer I would have to do to teach the Bible as literature! One parent didn’t like a book I use with average English students because it described a honeymoon scene where the old bed breaks. The people were extremely poor and married. But don’t they have sex too?!

I tell the kids to get over the sex thing…without it, none of us would be having the discussion. Violence…well, right now we can read about the 4000 who have died in this inane war we are in. Profanity…sometimes it’s just appropriate…or human nature. Rape…never excusable…but tell that to the 1000s that happen each year. You see my point.

Thank God, (I hope that doesn’t disturb anyone’s religiosity) the students focus on the issues. What if reading about the horrific rape causes one of my students to pursue a college degree or future profession to help victims of such issues? Or some sympathy for a soldier who comes home after experiencing graphic violence in real life?

I’ll keep on trying to build success with my program. If I can get just a few students to develop a love of reading…or better yet, some critical thinking on sensitive issues, my job will be worth it.

I’ve got no problem with disclaimers, but the teachers say they already do that. They warn the students about the kind of stuff that’s going to be in the book, and they also don’t read or discuss the “sensitive” parts in detail in class.

I think a rating system would be a bunch of unnecessary work. I don’t see why that’s needed if teachers are giving disclaimers.

I guess I just don’t see a problem that needs to be solved here. Teacher gives a disclaimer. Student doesn’t want to read the book. Student gets an alternate book. What’s the problem with that? Why all this hoopla?