The debate over banning books is an ancient one, and it has risen its head again as a result of The Gossip Girls. Apparently, these books that are geared towards teens include some steamy sexual scenes, which are making moms in Leesburg, Florida very upset. These moms are upset enough to ask for the books to be removed from the Young Adult section of book libraries.

Moms are concerned about racy sexual scenes and references to drug use in some of the Gossip Girls books, which can all be found in the Young Adult section of libraries. These mothers do not promote banning the books altogether; they simply want them placed in what they believe is the more appropriate section, the Adult section. That way, they argue, the material fits the category and no one is surprised by the R-rated references. The racy content should not be in the same room or area frequently visited by 12-year-olds. One parent, Dixie Fetchel, has taken issue with specific chapter titles from one of the books:

“Helmets are almost as important as condoms.” “A king-sized bed divided into sections; One for sleeping, one for eating, one for watching TV and one for sex.”

Many other parents share her concern for this kind of content to be available to such young people. The library director in Leesburg sees the issue differently:

“I didn’t find anything they don’t see on television,” said library director Barbara Morse. “I think they’re in the right place and if they were in the adult section, they would want to read them and we would have them choosing books in the adult department that they aren’t ready for.”

Now the issue is going before the library advisory board for a decision. Diane Venetta, another parent, asks the pointed question:

“We are all for open access, but at what point do you say, ‘This is not okay for our kids.’”

This simple question addresses the crux of the matter. What is appropriate for our children? The line that used to seem very black and white has become blurred — too blurred, if you ask me. But at what point is it worth it to “fight the system,” even the library system, in order to find that line again?

We find ourselves in a culture addicted to sexual images and references. That aspect of our culture has permeated the minds and, sadly, the lives of so many young people. In some ways the discussion of moving books like Gossip Girls from one section to another seems silly when there are more blatant attacks on children throughout the culture. However, there’s something to be said for winning the battles before they turn into wars. At what point does silence turn into consent?

Edmund Burke wrote that “all that is necessary for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing.” I commend these moms for taking a stand and risking being accused as old-fashioned or close-minded. Caring for our kids means fighting for the big and little things on their behalf. Our children deserve their parents doing something on their behalf.

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(Original photo by Tracey R, used under Creative Commons license.)