Abstract The focus of this paper is to discuss the censorship of a Newberry Medal children's book, "The Highest Power of Lucky," by Susan Patron. More specifically, the writer questions whether the word "scrotum" should cause a Newberry Medal children's book to be banned from libraries. The writer also discusses whether librarians have the right to ban a book because it has a word or phrase that relates to sex. The writer maintains that the censorship of books is wrong, especially when the book is being banned due to one word or phrase.
Outline:
Looking at the Book, "The Highest Power of Lucy"
Why the Author Used the Word
Censoring Children's Books
Censorship Creating Problems with Educational Staff
The Problems with Censorship
From the Paper "Only at the end of the book does Lucky trust her guardian to ask the meaning of the word. Lucky is similar to many students today who have single parents in their lives. Lucky can also be compared to many latchkey children who fend for themselves while their parents are at work. Many of these children learn words and actions that are not appropriate, but it is a part of their every day life. Reading about Lucky will not reveal words that these children know anyway."
"When deciding to ban a book, the librarian should consider the purpose of the book. Why has the author created this book? What is the main purpose of the book? These questions should be considered before deciding whether the book is inappropriate. The themes of the book center on Lucky becoming a grown-up who needs to learn about language and body parts. If Lucky does not learn the meaning of words from her guardian, then more than likely she will learn about different words from her peers. Children will learn the definitions to different words whether they do it through parents, friends, or peers. Would it be better to learn different words from parents or peers?"
Abstract This paper analyzes Plato's philosophy on censorship as seen through his character of Socrates. It looks at how he claims that youth is the time when the character is being formed and desired impressions are easily gained and assimilated. We should not allow children to hear any casual tales narrated by casual writers and to receive into their minds ideas which are for the most part the exact opposite of those we would like them to possess when they are grown up. It provides examples from the different tales of the time of which Socrates might find objectionable, such as Oedipus the King, Medea, and the Trojan Horse.
From the Paper "Oedipus the King and Medea may be used as tools to educate the future leaders of the city state by holding them up as examples of what people should avoid ? intense passion, desire for revenge, brutality. The instructor may emphasize the quest for justice ? goodness, truth, fear of God simplicity, humility ? are as virtues that should guide human beings in their life in the ideal city state. These are the ideals that may be taught to the youth that even among enemies, there should be respect for the old, the women and the dead."
Abstract This is a persuasive paper that analyzes the proponents of censorship. In recent years, the American entertainment industry has undergone vast changes in aspects such as music, television and Internet, and what began as innocent entertainment is no longer. Censorship is emerging into the limelight once again, as children are immensely affected by what they see, and their intentions of repeating what they see makes censorship ever more important today. The amount of violence in all forms of entertainment must somehow be regulated or censored in some way to protect the innocent youth of today.
From the Paper "Please note the following: ?Where Them Ho's At;? ?Tits;? and ?Simple Instructions for Assembling a Bomb with Household Materials.? The title of a song, a word used in a TV drama, and something easily accessible from the Internet. What might these three things have in common? They are all salient factors in the corruption of today's youth. These are not the types of programs and songs our country's future leaders should have access to. "Entertainment" such as this has been proven to cause aggression in young children, causing them to be more prone to use violence to settle disputes. It also exposes children to adult situations they are not yet suited to understand, which in turn confuses them. More stringent laws must be passed for the sake of our nation's impressionable, innocent young children."
Abstract This paper examines how research studies have indicated a close link between violent, aggressive and anti-social behavior of children and television. It contends that media plays a vital role in building and shaping the personality of a child and in reinforcing stereotypes in sexes. It also discusses how program ratings devised for parenting control are too lenient which makes it impossible for the parents to protect their children from ill-effects of media. Children imitate what they see on the television and eventually learn to resolve issues through confrontations, instead of peaceful and non-violent ways.
From the Paper "In today's world, electronic media is the most powerful tool in configuring human thought process. It can be employed for broadening the horizons or it can be used to pollute the innocent minds. It's effects on children are devastating. A child's mind is like a clean slate and it constantly keeps recording every image and every sound it encounters. It keeps on building concepts of spending life through these images. Children minds can not analyze at their own. They can not differentiate between a good and a bad thing unless these are shown or explained with obvious outcome of the actions. Moreover, children mind are very fragile. Their imaginations can be easily transported to new dimensions. "
Abstract This paper discusses the good and bad sides of censorship and points out the need for a balance. The paper focuses on three types of censorship: military censorship, censorship of pornography and violence, and ideological censorship. The paper contains an annotated bibliography.
From the Paper "The concept of censorship is relatively simple: material that is harmful to people in some way should not be allowed to circulate where they can see, hear or be influenced by it. Material that incites people to commit acts of violence..."
Abstract The topic of censorship is usually applied to less-developed countries, but it is crucial to remember that censorship is found in varying aspects in all countries. This paper addresses England as a country that promotes censorship as both a mechanism for civil defense and a means of ensuring the welfare of their citizens.
Abstract The writer of this paper discusses the censorship of books in schools and how some books are condemned and challenged by schools because of the use of curse words or violence, homosexuality, sex, rebellion, the occult or countless other things. The writer stresses his opinion against censorship in the paper and also his feelings on how it is not only a violation of our freedom of speech, but it infringes on our education and our right to choose what we read.
From the Paper "Freedom of speech is the cornerstone upon which the United States was founded. So essential is it to our national identity that it is guaranteed by the First Amendment to the Constitution. Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances. It is essential to democracy. Without it all other rights are diminished to the point where there is no real freedom whatsoever. The freedom to read is a necessary corollary to the freedom of speech; it is also integral to democracy. Yet this most important constitutional liberty is constantly under attack by those who (ironically, often in the name of "freedom") would restrict the rights of others to read what they choose - often for the most ridiculous of reasons. This is a matter of great concern to our society."
Abstract A paper which explains how the American Congress has interpreted the First Amendment when deciding on levels of censorship. The paper explores the different issues of what is and what is not defined as freedom of speech. Examples of what is not covered by the First Amendment may be obscenity, "fighting words" and incitement. The paper also discusses how, with the growth of the Internet, the laws should grow with technology and adapt themselves accordingly.
From the Paper "An area which is not yet completely clear is the subject of Commercial Speech. Deceptive commercial speech can be banned by government, but further regulation of corporations must be taken on a case by case basis. The government can also control speech that is intended and likely to incite lawless action. This also applies in a situation where the speech poses a clear and present danger to the nations security. This is known as "incitement" and was decided in the case of Brandenburg v. Ohio."
Based on the premise that the media dictates our body images, this paper asserts that the judicious use of censorship could help combat eating disorders.
It is a simple fact that 15-year old, rail-thin girls are modeling clothes targeted at the 20-35
900 words (approx. 3.6 pages), 2 sources, 2002, $ 35.95
Abstract There is a clear and identifiable link of causation between the media and the engaging in self-destructive behaviors by consumers that could be easily broken with judicious use of censorship. Overwhelmingly, research demonstrates that there are direct links between images seen on television and in magazines and perceptions of the self among consumers of those images. It is the purpose of this paper to demonstrate that through a conscientious censorship effort we can effectively end the epidemic of body image and related eating-disorder problems that has been wracking our culture for generations.
This paper illustrates the effects of censorship in the film industry as depicted in the documentary film "Hollywood Censored: Movies, Morality and the Production Code."
Abstract This paper focuses on the documentary "Hollywood Censored: Movies, Morality and the Production Code" which illustrates the effects of censorship in the film industry. This paper examines the religious condemnation, societal expectations and financial insecurity that have plagued Hollywood and the film industry since the early 1900s. This paper discusses the profound effect the Catholic church had on Hollywood. The Legion of Decency was created in order to clean up to films that were being shown to society. The hold of the Catholic church in the major cities was massive and as long as Hollywood produced films the religious authorities felt were morally harmful to society, priests and parishioners would continue to ban films. The writer also examines the events that led up to the film industry being granted 1st amendment protection in 1952, in which films were finally viewed as an art form.
From the Paper "In 1952 movies were granted First Amendment protection and films were finally seen as an art form. This came about after the studios were deemed monopolies and forced to give up their movie palaces. Theaters were now free to show any type of film they pleased and were not held liable to the production code. This allowed directors and producers a freedom they had not seen in many years. Breen's theories and strict regulations became obsolete. The control Hollywood and the courts had given him had been relinquished. As the freedom of the theaters grew, the power of the production code fell and in 1962 the production code was officially done away with and replaced with the ratings systems we now have. One producer in the documentary quotes Robert Graves by saying that "It's impossible for any artist not to be a part of his society even if he is against it" (Hollywood). Simply put, this means that as an artist, producer or director, it would be impossible, whether intended or not, to not mirror the society from which the art was created."
Tags: film, hollywood, industry, monopoly, censorship, religion, catholic, church
Abstract This paper takes a look at the concept of freedom of speech and the history of free speech and censorship in the USA. According to this paper, the American public also need to understand that if there is not equal protection for the rights of everyone then society will never truly be free. This paper questions that perhaps the answer exists in learning from a multitude of voices about both the subjects that inspire us and the subjects that remind us of the type of people that Americans will never want to be.
From the Paper "America is considered the freest society in the world. Here people are free to make choices about their lives that deal with education, shelter, political affiliations, and government support. This free choice often leads Americans to believe that they have the largest voice of any citizenry, and a constitution that will support their ability to be heard. Yet, within the country there are issues of free speech and censorship that continue to be debated in the judicial system, the American Civil Liberties Union, and the Supreme Court of the United States. Therefore, although the country has made great strides in defining what is considered free speech and what is illegal censorship throughout the decades, it is apparent that this concern will always have a new focus of consideration because American citizens will never stop fighting for their freedoms."
Abstract The paper discusses the mass proliferation of information on the Internet and highlights the issue of ownership, accuracy and privacy. The paper relates that the supporters of censorship argue that it is in the best interest of the public to protect them from deceitful or harmful information, however the central argument made in this investigation is that the Internet should not be censored. The paper considers these issues and provides a balanced overview.
Outline:
Introduction
Literature Review
Synthesis of the Data
Conclusion
From the Paper "Although support for internet censorship demonstrates a clear need to protect users from questionable and offensive content, Kreimer (2006) reports that the decision to implement internet censorship will serve as a slippery slope for the degradation of the freedom of speech. As reported by this author, supporters of internet censorship have argued that this process is necessary to protect individuals from harm. However, Kreimer argues that when making these claims, scholars do not provide any justification for what content should be censored and by whom. As the realm of "questionable" contend expands, internet users will witness a reduction in their ability to access information and to share information. Over the long-term, Kreimer asserts, this will erode basic free speech rights."
Abstract The paper deals at length with the problem of homeless persons and states that while the homeless population is increasing steadily, the number of children amongst this population has seen the steepest incline. The paper reports that the Institute for Children and Poverty has shown that nearly millions of adolescents are experiencing homelessness. This staggering number means that nearly 2% of all children and approximately 10% of all poor children in America are presently homeless. The paper deals extensively with the problem of educating homeless children by exploring the strategies and tactics put forward by the McKinney-Vento Act in educating homeless children.
Outline:
Introduction
Background of the Study
Current Issues in Government Policies
Statement of the Problem
Significance of the Study
Purpose of the Study
Research Questions
Methodology
Research Method and Design
Data Collection
Data Evaluation
Definitions of Homelessness and Problems Associated with the Definition
The Educational Rights of Homeless Children Strategies Implemented
Conclusion and Discussion
From the Paper "As mentioned above, during the 1970's the streets of America, during the night, were increasingly being occupied by adults and children alike for spending their nights. This phenomenon was exposed by the media and the social advocates along with the policy makers chipped in to being a social change particularly in the education sector. However, research shows that more people, particularly families with small children, are homeless today than they were in the 1970's and the number is steeply rising (Hafetz, 2003). Burt (2001) argued that the while the country progressed economically all through the 1990's, the trickle down affect of this progress could not be seen. In fact, on the contrary, the housing industry got more pressure, which resulted in the increased rents and lack of affordable housing (Burt, 2001). Therefore, homelessness has once again got the front page attention from the media. "
Abstract This paper is an overview and analysis of the launching of Children's Advil to the general public in the United States. It includes a situation analysis covering company, product, price, place promotion, current environment. It goes into extensive detail about the pain relief market in general, and includes extensive statistics about both the adult and children's markets. It includes a media campaign, and details all of the media options available, with their rankings in order to insure the greatest possible success in the launching of this new product.
From the paper:
"Although the analgesics market is very competitive, the positive market trends, as well as the fact that manufacturers with well-established brands are spending a great deal to educate consumers and pharmacists about the benefits of their products, foretell a painless future for retailers and shoppers alike. In liquids, three of the top five brands are aimed at the children's market. It was these brands that contributed the bulk of the growth in the segment, such as Children's Motrin and Children's Advil, which grew business in drug 8.4 percent and 16.3 percent, respectively. In addition, Pediacare Fever increased sales by roughly 104 percent in the drug channel."
