No tears for a dying system, please!

Abstract

Pressure for committees to buy only texts that met their demands for acceptable language and topics has resulted in a degree of censorship. This process took on a life of its own, and the initial noble purpose became transformed into an exercise in exerting the power to enforce one's point of view. According to the author of this book, topics now deemed unacceptable are abortion, death or disease, disrespectful behavior, evolution, expensive consumer goods, social problems such as addiction or racial prejudice. It is noted that no educational research supports such prohibitions, but because the topics upset some adults, it is assumed they will upset children in the same way. Most people would agree that the purpose of teaching literature should be to let children explore the best literature in the hope they will develop a life‐long, life‐enriching love of it

Citation

Baskin, K. (2004), "No tears for a dying system, please!", On the Horizon, Vol. 12 No. 2, pp. 83-87. https://doi.org/10.1108/10748120410544171