Reading books before you read them... |
 Jun 15 2007, 02:37 AM
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Flesh-Eating-Slug Catcher  Posts: 178 Joined: 5:36pm June 15, 2005 Location: Ramstein, AB  |
This is a question to the parents out here, but before you read the HP books to your children did you read them before to make sure they were appropriate? Or as you were reading them you noticed a swear in it or something that you didn't feel was appropriate so you made up something or skipped that part so your child wouldn't notice.
Or are you comfortable with Jo's writing and just let them read the books and feel comfortable that there isn't anything in the books that offends you or would be "detrimental" to your child's psyche. -------------------- "Hakuna Matata, It Means No Worries"
- Timon and Pumba |
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Jun 16 2007, 01:44 AM
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Monster Book Stacker Posts: 406 Joined: 2:47am July 25, 2005 |
I was actually the first of my family to read the books. Not out of concern for inappropriate themes or language, just interest. It never even crossed my mind that there would be anything objectionable in them. After having read them now (many times) I don't believe there is anything inappropriate in them. Not that I could say what things I might find in a children's book that could be inappropriate. Anyhow, I loved the stories so much that I couldn't wait for my kids to read them and discover the magic.
For the most part, I don't believe in censorship for my children. At least I don't believe in censoring things that are already rated or written for them. If they show an interest in reading, I say great. By and large, I think that I've never even heard of a children's book that would have anything in it I might think too adult for them. There are of course books written for adults that I think are not appropriate, and occasionally have to reign in my oldest daughter. (13) Actually the only book I've said no to her about is "Wicked". She wanted to read it, but I thought the sex a bit too adult. But then again, it is not a children's book and was not intended for them. I think generally kids are their own best censors. For the most part, they just aren't interested in books that are intended for a more adult audience. The only reason "Wicked" even coasted into my daughter's consciousness was because of the Broadway musical (and "The Wizard of Oz" of course) But, that is an oddity. I have as yet to meet the child who has an interest in (or has even heard of) "adult" novelists. If for some reason Henry Miller floats into their worlds within the next few years, I'd certainly put my foot down.  At this point in their lives, about the only things I'd find too much for them is graphic sex, or over-the-top graphic violence. I do not find language to be objectionable at all if it is used appropriately. I have always said to my kids that language has a power to it. Even "bad" language has its uses. There are some situations where polite language just won't do, and a "heartier" wording is not only appropriate, but recommended. Overuse dilutes the power though, so use them with great care. Language not only allows you to express yourself, it also tells others who you are. So choose your words carefully, because they are telling the world more about you than you might realize. Some themes are of course, a bit too complex for children to fully understand, and they need time and maturity to fully comprehend them. With kids however, I think that generally they need to be taught behavioral restraint rather than intellectual restraint. They should be taught responsibility, and consequence. But their brains should be used to their fullest potential. |
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Apr 12 2008, 07:38 PM
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Being Chosen by a Wand at Ollivander's Posts: 2,956 Joined: 7:59am June 6, 2006 |
QUOTE(Amr @ Jun 15 2007, 08:37 AM)  Or are you comfortable with Jo's writing and just let them read the books and feel comfortable that there isn't anything in the books that offends you or would be "detrimental" to your child's psyche. I don't think there is anything unsuitable in Jo's books and for the most part anything unsuitable will usually go over a childs head, the things that they don't understand often just don't register with them as they aren't relative to their understanding (at least I know this was the case for me  when I was young) i however do believe that damaging to the psyche is dependent upon the individual child. For example, I loved the disney cartoon "Aladdin" when i was younger, my friend was positively terrified of the villain Jafar, he wouldn't eat or sleep he was petrified. Since that situation his parents had been careful to monitor the different themes etc. which he encounters in movies, books, video games etc. as he has proven particularly receptive/responsive to that sort of situation. A child could read OotP and be horrified and upset by the nature of Siris' death, or they could be completely oblivious to that and more concerned about Harry's teacher(Umbridge) being mean and Luna getting bullied. It is dependent on the individual child and by association its parent.Incidentally books on the "banned books list" are some of the most widely read and best selling. The forbidden and censored usually generates intrigue. My parents have never to this day, censored my reading habits. I have readonly one book that I felt was age inappropriate, I was eleven and I still advise my friends against reading it at sixteen despite it being on a reccommended book list in school. However despite the fact that this book upset me I learned alot from it, do not regret reading it, and told my mam al this afterwards. Now I know the kinds of books that i am unhappy to read, the negative impact they have on me personally and this was through personal experience, my parents telling me this would have served little function, I had to learn it for my self. i think there are too many parents(I'm not accusing anyone I mean in general) who attempt to shield their children from life experience to protect them but either way IMO they will have to learn it for themselves sooner or later. --------------------  |
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