Censorship of Books is about More than Freedom of Speech

In the full throes of a Young Adult novel regarding a sensitive situation, I find I must take more breaks than usual from writing. I am falling in love with the characters and as I write about tragedy and pain my heart is being broken. After writing a chapter I am emotionally drained.

Of course I would love for this book to be published. That's every writers dream isn't it? I wonder, however, if it is published how it will be be viewed in the YA genre. Many books on serious topics, such as drugs, alcohol or sexual abuse, sexual activity, GLBT, etc, are banned. Parents, school officials and preacher want to protect young, easily impressed teens from these topics. Will mine be one of those meeting the criteria for censorship? If so, how would I deal with it? These are questions than torture my restless mind when I should be sleeping.

Due to the topic of my book, a teen's suicide, I am concerned about censorship, but it isn't just selfish vanity or me wanting to sell more books. It is about the teens and issues they deal with.

Today, more than ever, teens are bombarded with serious issues. It is imperative they realize they are not alone and know the dangers that are out there. Yes, a book about a drug addict, such as Ellen Hopkins' Crank and Glass, may give teens the idea of drugs. Yes reading a book about a teen suicide, such as the one I am writing, may put the thought in their mind. Reading about homosexual or bisexual teens may lead to experimentation. All these are a possibility, but let's get honest for a moment. Isn't it a possibility even if teens aren't reading about it?

Go to a Middle or High School and sit with the kids at lunch. Listen to their conversations. Or better yet, check out teens' social network sites such as Twitter and Facebook. Many of my children's friends are Facebook friends of mine and I keep up with their status updates regularly. It is rare to go more than twenty four hours without hearing about underage drinking, per-marital sex or teens ranting they hate their lives and wish they were dead. It's out there already. This is the sad reality our children are living in.

Fighting against censorship isn't all about Freedom of Speech. It goes much deeper than our basic right. It is about telling our kids what is out there, helping them learn the dangers, watch out for those dangers, and making the right decisions. It is about showing them consequences of severe situations, such as teen parenting or drug rehab or even death.

When our children were toddlers and in Elementary School we all taught them not to get in a car with a stranger offering candy. We alerted them to the danger in order to protect them. Why should the issues they face as they grow into young adults be any different? Shouldn't we alert them of the dangers of drugs and show them what can happen instead of just saying “Don't do it?”

I remember when I was young and my parents said, “No.” I asked, “Why?” They resorted to the ever loved, “Because I said so.” Well, I don't 'know about you, but that didn't work for me. I needed a good, solid reason, a reason that was valid and made sense, or I was going to go ahead and do it. My kids are the same way. If I explain why they can't go out or get something they want, they may not like it but they understand and respect my decision. If I just say “No” they learn nothing and resent me for and more than likely will go behind my back and do it.

Teens need a reason to avoid drugs, casual sex, and even suicide. Instead of being glamorized in the media, many authors, including Sarah Ockler, Ellen Hopkins, Sarah Dessen, myself and others, are showing these issues in a realistic light. These issues are not glamorous. They are hurtful and many times fatal. Instead of banning these books or censoring them the public and parents should be embracing them and being thankful we care about our kids and want to raise a healthy, aware generation. I love it. [: