Books are a way to teach, inspire, and entertain minds. They have always been a gateway to new ideas, lessons, and perspectives. Yet time and time again, they face bans and are challenged for addressing topics that they think are controversial. What’s surprising is that even children’s books that promote values like love, acceptance, and kindness have been and continue to be censored. But is banning books the solution? Or is it simply an attempt to shield children from the lessons that will help them grow into open-minded and understanding people?
Take And Tango Makes Three, for example. This heartwarming true story of two male penguins raising a chick together has been banned in multiple schools simply because it portrays a same-sex family. But why should children be denied the chance to learn that family comes in all shapes and sizes? Rather than being inappropriate, this book teaches love, responsibility, and the idea that family is defined by care and support, not by a specific structure.
Even classics like The Giving Tree have not been safe from criticism. Some say that the book encourages unhealthy relationships and self-sacrifice, but isn’t it also a lesson in generosity? Shouldn’t we allow young readers to interpret and discuss these messages instead of taking the entire book away?
Then there’s My Princess Boy, A story about a child who defies gender norms and embraces who he is. People protested rather than accepting the book and said it pushes ideas to the children who are still “too young” to understand. But isn’t childhood the best time to teach kindness and acceptance? Shouldn’t books help children see that differences should be embraced rather than feared?
Those in favor of book banning argue that young readers are impressionable, and some topics like gender identity, non-traditional family structures, or controversial moral lessons may not be appropriate for all children at certain ages.
The problem with book banning is about who has the authority to decide what children can and cannot read. Shouldn’t that decision belong to parents, teachers, and most importantly, students, not a group of closed-minded people? Instead of banning books, schools, and libraries should have discussions that help children think critically and form their own opinions. Books should challenge, inspire, and educate, not be hidden away because they make certain individuals uncomfortable. If we want to raise a generation of thoughtful, compassionate individuals, we need to let them read, question, and explore the world through stories, not censor them from reality.
