In the comments section of the August 28th This Week in Publishing, a few people were discussing whether children’s books should be rated for sexual and/or violent content in the same way as movies and video games in order to help parents decide what is appropriate for their kids to read.
And while I wasn’t able to participate, this subject also came up in the weekly #kidlitchat on Twitter.
What do you think: should children’s book publishers rate the content in their books so that parents can determine which books are age-appropriate? Is this censorship or at the very least, could it aid censorship?
And, also importantly: would this help sales? Would a publisher who voluntarily rated the content of their books see a sales bump or would there be an outcry?
If you’re reading via e-mail or in a blog reader, click through for a poll.
I review books for my website, and I do add some indicators of sex, violence, or language. Mostly this is for parents who don't have the time to read what their kids are reading — so they can discuss it afterward. I don't like the idea of keeping kids from reading books, but I do think parents should have an idea of content simply so they can use those books to share their own hearts with their kids. Plus, there are books which I wouldn't let my 7-year old read YET (though his reading level is far above his comprehension level)…he's just too young to get certain things.
Not a simple question, but as a mother of 5, 4 and 4 year old kids whose tolerance of various subjects vary greatly, I think such a system is a big fat waste of everyone's time.
I think descriptive synopses, including some bullet points of specific hot button content (sex, violence, language) would be more useful.
But ultimately, my disagreement is with the culture of shielding our children from scary stuff. I disagree with it, but understand why parents want qualitative info. from which to make decisions.
Someone asked, "PG" according to what standards? "R" according to whose standards?
I have to agree. I mean, I would love a rating system that made sense to me, personally. For instance, could I get one that let's me know which books give my daughter expansive role models as apposed to the choice of geeky brain, slut, bitch or Gidget wanna be?
Coincidentally, the book I'm currently writing is a YA whose main character is a 15-year-old girl. As with most girls that age, she finds herself exploring "new" feelings for an older boy. Although I could certainly write the story with a sexual slant, that's not what the story is about. And while I'm not ignoring that aspect of their blossoming relationship, I'd give it a PG rating.
Some of my group readers, as well as other mom bloggers, and I, have been discussing this very issue lately. Twilight was used as an example only because most of us have read it. Being the mother of a 10-year-old tween, I would let her read the series, even though it is sexually suggestive in parts (PG-13). However, there is NO way I would let her read another YA vampire series – The House of Night (R). While I very much enjoyed the eroticism mixed in the plot, I'm not ready for her to be reading about certain sexual acts. I recognized, even before reading the series, that it was probably age inappropriate for my daughter, even though she reads at that grade level.
How can any parent know for sure what's in her kids' books unless she first reads them? I don't always have the time to screen my daughter's books (movies, music), so a rating system would be extremely helpful to alert me of any sexually explicit or controversial topics so I could then make more of an informed decision about whether or not to let her read them.
I think a code system would be so much better than a rating system. And I think it would be helpful in any book. When I worked in a bookstore one day a lady returned a book because she said there was too much sex in it. If there had been an "S" inside the book somewhere indicating that there were sexual scenes she wouldn't have bought something that made her uncomfortable. It would help parents pick appropriate reading material for their kids. When I was an older child my parents were totally okay with us watching violent R movies, but the PG-13s with all the sex were not okay. I think there's a lot of possibility for something like this to be misused, but I can't help but think that if a potential reader could check and make sure that the things that make them (or their parents) uncomfortable aren't in there they might take a chance on more books. I don't like censorship, but a way for readers to make a more informed decision before they buy could definitely be a good thing.
I think that this would be a good thing, because grade level often reflects word complexity not content. There are some books that teens may love, that could be really scary for children, or may simply deal with issues a child isn't ready handle.
I don't think libraries and bookstores should censor readership. If a 10 year old wants to check out a YA book that is rated "teen" that's okay. But if a parent wants to be able to look at the back of a YA book and see "rated teen for graphic violence" maybe they will want to make sure their kid doesn't read it right before bed.
This is really an interesting discussion as it was in August, and there are so many ways to look at this issue. As a writer, I want the freedom to include what I want. As a librarian, yes, it would be helpful to have more age range information on book jackets, or content information. Even in the YA section, there are books that I can shelve at school and some that I can't. Usually, it's excessive drugs, drinking and sex that get sent back to the bookstore or I hear about it from parents.
The problem is this, for those of us school librarians: if we shelve something, parents assume it is our personal recommendation. It's a wrong assumption. Just because something is popular doesn't mean it will meet with all the moral requirements that parents have for their kids. It's a big responsibility, when parents come back and yell at me for the smut I allowed their children to read. The content information would be helpful, for just that reason.
As a reader of YA and an aspiring writer, I wouldn't care. As a potential parent, I might.
It's really all a big muddle, isn't it?
It might be helpful. Here's a few suggestions on particulars.
(1)Strictly voluntary
(2)Up to 2 ratings per book. Can be rated by author and/or publisher, both or neither. Author and publisher ratings need not agree.
(3) Suggested rating categories.
Disgustingly nicey-nice
Family-friendly
On the edge
Over the Edge
And an "unrated" rating "Read it and find out".
(4) Readers could post their own ratings, using these categories, on sales and review sites. This would supplement the ratings published with the book.
-Steve
I took an online course to upgrade my teaching credentials and we had to make a list of books that we thought would be good to use in the classroom. I searched the library stacks and found a book that jumped out at me. I really loved the style of it since it used poems, journal entries, and SAT words worked directly into the narrative. So I recommended it.
But then I read it and had to withdraw my recommendation. I think parents would've been mad at me if it introduced it to my students because of the mature themes.
I enjoyed the book but as a teacher, I need to be careful of what I bring into my classroom. As such, I would like to see ratings on books. We already have them on TV shows, movies, and video games. So why not books too?
I'm a grown-up, a mom and a writer, thus a former and perpetual kid. A rating system is just one more shortcut parents can "rely" on rather than be parents, pay attention, even share in what their children read, their likes and dislikes–both content and authors.
Let individual parents judge what's appropriate for their kids by topic and reading level. Do a little homework. Maybe try something rash like reading the jacket copy, perhaps even the book, before accepting or rejecting it.
I would be all in favor of a rating system if it had warning categories like:
1) Plotless — inappropriate for anyone not into post-modernism
2) Helpless/Stupid Female Character Warning — inappropriate for any teen
3)Living In The Past — warning: this book has a 16-year-old narrator who speaks as if s/he's 45 OR warning: this book was written by someone who does not know what texting, twitter, and myspace are and contains characters who cheat by passing notes in class and wait by the phone at home for calls.
4) Complete Drivel Warning (self-explanatory)
These categories concern me a great deal more than sex and violence. And to all these parents whining that you don't have time to read what your kids are reading, maybe it's time you made time to have a look at it AND TALK ABOUT IT. Your kids would learn a lot more that way than if you just censor a book in your home. They'll learn analysis, evaluation, and debate skills, as opposed to learning that adults are afraid to talk about some topics.
I teach junior high. I know what happens to the kids whose parents censor their reading material at home; 90% of them read the stuff at school or at a friend's house just to spite their parents — even when they agree that the book is too violent or too whatever.
Also, banning a book you've never read before is rather cowardly, people. Read it, then decide. Then explain to the kid why it's not going into your home library. Teach your kids to make informed decisions, not ones based on prejudices or phobias.
It's sad to think we've come to a time when it's even conceiveable that childrens books need to be "rated" for violence, sex, or other content. You should be able to go to the "kids section" in a bookstore and know that whatever you pick up for your child is "safe" in terms of vocabulary, lack of violence, no sexual terms or innuendo, and drugs etc. Authors who rely on these crutches and call themselves "childrens authors" should go peddle their manuscripts elsewhere…there's lot of markets for that kind of writing.
Laurie,
I understand your viewpoint. But I thibnk books have changed because life has changed. Many, though by no means all, kids are routinely exposed to sex and violence in their home or being aware of it in the lifestyles of other kids. If they can encounter it in real life, why not in print?
-Steve
The movie rating board has been under fire for years by people who disagree with the choices made by the panel (who are for the most part anonymous, by the way). Distribution of films (how many theater screens, etc) is impacted by the ratings, so it matters a lot to the filmmakers.
I don't buy the argument that parents don't have time to check out books their kids read. The internet is so easy and overflowing with reviews, and it doesn't take that long to flip through pages while in a bookstore to see if language or topic disturbs you.
I think publishers should not play down a book that deals with mature topics, though. The bookjacket should make clear where the reader is going.
But no panel should be making rating choices for the rest of us.
Totally against censorship, but have to think underage (14?) should have some control by parents. If they're right-wing ideologues, then God Bless the Child.
Hmm, so a number of questions have been raised by those in favor of some rating system.
1) Would those opposed to it have a different view if they were a parent?
Nope, I am a parent.
2) Do you disagree with ratings on movies and games?
Yup, actually I do. In all cases the systems have proved to be ineffective at best and creatively limiting at worst.
3) Do I disagree with parental control systems on the TV and internet?
Yes, actually I do. I don't use parental controls on the TV. I do have a very basic blocker on the computer, but my children are 4 so it's really more about blocking chat rooms etc.
It is a parent's right to raise their children how they see fit, but I'm a little irritated by those who seem to think that by checking every book that goes through their children's hands they are somehow parenting better than those who don't do this.
Once I was old enough to buy books myself (from about age 10 onwards) my parents never once filtered the books I could read. They didn't really filter my tv watching either beyond the most basic level that when young I would be in bed before anything really strong came on tv (pre-VHS days).
I'm confident that I can instill appropriate values in my sons without having to limit what they can read or see.
After we had the conversation on your blog Nathan, I used it on my blog last week.
Personally I love the idea. I'm more concerned about sexual content,and violence than anything else. Alot of these "cartoon type" books, and "teen" novels are full of this. It's hard to know what to buy for schools when there's no way to tell the content (unless you read the book before hand or look it up on Amazon). When suppling libraries it's tough. My librarian tends to buy only from certain companies because of this. Is that really fair for others out there trying to sell their books? I don't think so. Students request things… sometimes it's a great book, then sometimes we have to tear it up because of content. A waste of tax payers money if you ask me. Anyways…that's just the way I see it.
As a parent I read what my daughter reads and trust the areas of the library she finds books in, as a way to know if it's for her age group or not.
To the people that say: "Movies have them, why not books?"
Movies are VISUAL. Does a seven year old need to watch an R rated movie sex scene? Heck, no.
A seven year old, however, would NOT READ an "adult" book on their own, because they couldn't get through the vocabulary. After you had to sound out fifteen words you didn't know on the first page, you'd give up. The lack of shiny, colorful pictures would also be a great detriment. So, the argument movies have 'em doesn't hold up.
Shame on anyone who is "tearing up a book" because there is, gasp, something they don't argee with.
God, that is soooo wrong.
I voted yes, because I think it might be helpful to parents to know what's actually in the book. If I had children I would want to know. Not that it would necessarily stop me from letting them read the book, just that I would know what they were reading and maybe be able to talk to them about the subjects before they did.
Saying that, I was reading adult books, unsupervised, in primary school (I mean like Piers Anthony – super adult content!). And I turned out alright… didn't I??
reader said,
You're right but teens will. They look for the content…that's why ratings would help those who purchase teen books.
"Ratings" involve coming up with and applying a shorthand for what kids might find troubling or parents find objectionable. That's bound to be subjective, and history shows it to be discriminatory.
There might be a case for establishing a system of advisories about children's book content (e.g, violence, dying pets, sex talk without any actual sex, dead mothers, etc.). But book covers are usually good guides to maturity level and content already.
Then again, with books going digital, they won't necessarily have covers.
I don't think it's a bad idea because I am a VPK teacher and I am required to have diversity books in my classroom. These books can range from divorce, having two mommies or 2 daddies, or even books that talk about girls doing what boys do and vice versa. There is always some parent that does not agree with all of the books. Every book is age appropriate however I find for some reason a lot of parents are more satisfied if there is a rating on things. The book that was questioned the most in my room was called "Everybody Poops" Of course this was also the favorite of all the kids.
As a YA author and someone who participated in the twitter chat that inspired this, I'm completely against ratings and content warnings. There are two main reasons why I think it'll never work:
1. Who decides what constitutes sexual content? Are fade to black scenes sex content? Heavy kissing? A mere mention of sex?
How much bad language deserves a language warning? Which words are worse than others?
The problem with ratings/warnings is that everyone has their own definition of what is appropriate. And sadly, these "warnings" will FOR SURE be used to censor content from school libraries, which restricts access for all the kids who rely on school libraries to supply them with reading material.
2. It won't work how you want it to.
Looking to the video game industry, the parent who actually uses the rating system to determine whether or not to buy the game… is the extreme exception. Seriously extreme.
But you know who uses ratings and warnings? Kids. They use them to make sure there's plenty of naughty content. As one of the guys in the #kidlit chat said, if TV programs had ratings when he was a kid, he wouldn't have wasted time on anything without nudity.
I'm just happy that I'm first to comment.
I'd love to see all books with a code of some sort on the cover. My teenager doesn't like to read sex and bad language and has brought books to me, disgusted at the content. To make a blanket statement that all kids will try to find the "naughty" books isn't true. I know many youth who are turned off by explicit sex and vulgar language. Parents do need to be in touch with what the kids are reading, but with three kids who all have very different tastes, plus my reading list, and the books I review, I don't have time to keep up with it all.
I don't even like to read those things myself and wish there were some way that I could find out some of the content of a book before I start reading it. Flipping through the pages before buying doesn't always give enough info.
OH my gosh, I'm scanning through opinions and I ran across an anonymous comment that said something like, "I can't understand why people don't pre read their kids books."
WTH? My 6th grader reads 200-300 pages a day. I've got 1st grader who reads independently at a quick rate, but she reads Beverly Cleary type of stuff and A-Z Mysteries, so I know it's ok and clean. But add a 3 year old child who requires me to read to him each night…..you tell me when I can preread 6 or 7 MG or YA books a week. I try, but geez….I have a house to run too, so it's really not possible to pre read everything.
I voted no. Even a descriptive synopsis is not helpful. I remember checking out the kidsinmind website to see if my son would be okay watching The Incredibles movie. He was about 4 or 5 at the time, and very prone to nightmares and having disturbing images stuck in his mind. I read the synopsis and thought, no way. Then a few months later he saw the movie at his friend's house and laughed his head off. He came home and begged me to watch it with him again. You cannot judge the tone/feel of a book (or movie) by its content.
Becasue ratings and content advisories can so often be misleading in this way, they are hardly worth it. Reading reviews or reading it for yourself are the way to go.
Wow, I'm lovin' all the comments. Especially the ones that compare book ratings with other media such as movies, music and video games.
I for one voted "yes" mainly because I don't think a rating system would hurt. They seem to serve these other industries well. And I agree with others who want to be "informed parents" (even though I'm not a parent).
This comment also got me thinking – Don't publishers already act as a watchdog? Meaning, don't they generally shun YA writing with too mature of content?
I guess I'll be one of the only commenters to say that 1) I pretty much read whatever I wanted to as a child and 2) on occasion, it absolutely traumatized me. I was a gifted reader (read college level in 5th grade) with no direction from adults at all. My mom did once discover me reading one of the 'Exorcist' books (at 11) and threw it out the car window, but not before I'd read about anal sex, which I regret learning about at that age. For those who welcome exposing anyone who can read to whatever books they pick up, tell me how in the he** did this knowledge benefit me? Meanwhile, I didn't discover The Chronicles of Narnia or A Wrinkle in Time or any other classic children's books because I was totally on my own.
Yes, children often know what they want to read, but not all of them do. Sometimes they read things without knowing what they're reading and find out something they weren't prepared to know. They're children after all. Many here would say tough cookies or the parents should just do damage control.
Yes, there are already categories to help parents, but YA is just too broad. There's a world of difference between your average 12-year-old and your average 21-year-old, both of whom are targeted as "Young Adult."
Putting out more information about content isn't the slippery slope most worry about. We put ages on everything, from driving a car to drinking, so what's wrong with a finer banding on YA book titles? No one's going to card, so it really only helps those parents who are doing the dance between responsible interaction and letting their children explore on their own.
As a parent, I use a movie review site, kids-in-mind.com, to get more information on PG-13 movies. The site combines 3 separate ratings (sex/nudity, violence/gore, and profanity) with a detailed scene-by-scene synopsis for each category. An overall message for the story is given. This is all done in a non-biased, objective manner. The ratings appear to derive from the number of times events in the movie match a category. I wouldn't mind a review site like this for YA books.
I voted good idea. A cover code would allow a choice. One that could easier be made "before" the read not after.
Every time I go to the movies, I see parents with young children (infants and kids 4-5 who are old enough to stay awake in PG-13 movies. Why would they be any more discerning with books?
I'm last to comment? That's awesome! I love getting the final word.
@BambooGrovers: No, the movie review site kids-in-mind isn't by itself completely adequate, but it's certainly more information than parents get without pre-screening everything. I've used it to decide whether to watch a movie first, from Elizabeth: The Golden Age (nope, my 10-year-old didn't get to see a movie where someone's tongue is cut out, no matter how brief and out-of-focus the scene was) to Twilight, which sounded scarier in the review than the movie actually was.
I'll take imperfect information to no information any day. I'd rather err on the side of caution than to just throw up my hands. Will I get it for the YA category for my kids? No.
I think what I said is being taken the wrong way. I'm not saying that a gay couple in a book is inappropriate, or that gays and people in jail are grouped in the same social class. What I was trying to say is, not all parents wish to have their children exposed to those situations in a book. When I think of childrens books, I think of books being read to five and four year olds, not YA novels. If parents don't want their children exposed to any sort of content in a book, and having a rating on that book will help them keep their children away from the content they disapprove of, then I'm all for the ratings systems. Just because one parent is OK with exposing their kid to something (like persay a gay relationship) doesn't mean that another parent would be OK with it. So in my opinion, that is what the rating system would be good for; to help parents keep their children away from topics they don't wish for them to read. I'm sorry if I didn't get that across, or if I offended anyone because of my previous comment.
Crystal
As a parent, I really feel that books provide a way for children to explore the world and their emotions from a safe place. I am really against any type of content rating because I believe it will lead to censorship. To me, the YA designation indicates mature content. I feel that by the time kids get to high school, parents should be aware of what they are reading but not censoring them. This is a time to be open and willing to discuss difficult topics. Everyone has their own definition of what is or is not appropriate. The question then becomes, who will decide on content labels or ratings. It's a tricky subject and I hope the publishing industry proceeds very slowly.
PS- I would use a site for books like kidsinmind.com like mad. I use it every single time I get a movie for the kids.
Like an earlier commenter, I read above grade level and read many things that were very troubling to me as a young girl.
I also think that 'inappropriate' books are possibly more damaging (yes, I mean damaging) than similar movies because you create the scene and engage in a way that is more intimate than merely watching it. Ever thought the book was better than the movie? Then you know what I mean.
But, I believe that it should be up to parents to guide their children. I'm not responsible for what other parents do, just what I do, and I'm okay with that.
I voted its a good idea.
I don't think of it as censorship. Parents are constantly reminded that they are "in charge" of the information their children are exposed to. So, putting a rating on a book lets parents (and our older children also) make informed choices. That's not the same as banning a book entirely because of it's content.
………dhole
I know I'm late to this commenting party, so I apologize if it appears I've thieved someone's thoughts: but if a book needs a rating, then it's not a book for children.
This is to those parents who say that they cannot possibly read all the books that their children want to read before they read them: WHAT???? I am a parent and until my daughter turned thirteen, I read everything or had read everything before she read it. If you cannot be bothered to do this for your children now (afterall, how long does it take to read a third or fourth grade chapter book?) you probably won't read the "warning" label on the book either!
To Anonymous who was fortunate enough to be able to read every book her daughter read up to the age of 13, good for you. However, for those of us with multiple gifted readers, it really, really is impossible to pre-read everything. We aren't copping out. I did read everything until they got to be 10 or 11 and read voraciously, constantly, like alcoholics and sometimes faster than I could. After all, I don't have the same amount of free time. Count yourself lucky and don't be so sure you're right.
To those who identify "children" only with the ages of 10 and under, some of us are broadening the range to include children who read YA, which is marketed to 12+. If you don't think a 12-year-old, or even 15-year-old, is a child, well then you're right to say that we don't need any labeling on children's books.
Anon 8:20pm,
Well, good for you.
What a pretentious and sanctimonious post.
Although I am happy for you that your daily schedule is so open that you have time to read every book that your thirteen year old ever thinks about reading, please don’t presume that those of us who don’t have as much free time on our hands don’t care about what our children are reading.
As a more time-challenged parent, I'd appreciate a rating system.
This would create such a nightmare for schools and school libraries! As it is, any movie above a G rating requires a parent permission slip – since the P in PG is parental. Can you imagine if every book in a Middle School library rated above a G required a written/signed parent permission slip? The kids would never get to use the library!
Deciding my opinion on this has been really hard because of the intelligently formulated arguments for both sides on this comment board. As a 17-year-old, I feel I have to join in somehow.
I believe that the categories already put on books for young people are enough e.g. YA, middle-grade, etc. I agree with a previous commenter that each category has its own connotation. Any further information can be gleaned from the book jacket and maybe scanning a couple of pages.
I feel like the things adults are trying to protect me from content-wise are things I need to exposed to. You're right. There IS more violent and sex-related imagery than ever. But would you rather I be totally encased in a bubble then face the real world as an adult with no idea what I'm dealing with?
I know that parents want some help on deciding what is appropriate, but books are so subjective. Who can know what is better for YOUR children than you? It's going to take a bit more work, but we all agree getting children to read from an early age is tantamount.
A few people have decided that Harry Potter books need to be banned because it teaches Wicca and Satanism. With all due respect, there is no way I'd want those people in charge of any type of book-rating system. Do you?
I vote for content statements as ratings are too vague. Parents have a right to know what their child is reading or watching and control that as necessary – whether anyone else agrees with their standards or not. Content statements would let parents know if a book might not be appropriate for their particular child or may need to be discussed. My gripe is with school libraries where I may never see the books my child checks out – I learned I can't trust our middle school library to keep out what would be R-rated fiction.
Do you mean children's books or middle grade/young adult? Pardon me if I'm being naive, but children's books shouldn't be rated because they should be appropriate for young children…right?
Jane,
Content is relevant for parents who are deciding what they want their children exposed to. Some parents have no problem with metaphysical or superstitious fiction… while others care very much.
One of the most basic freedoms and yes, responsibilities, that any parent has is deciding how we want to raise our children.
Parents supposedly know their children better than anyone – that is until their children hit fifteen, change overnight, and never share their secrets again until they themselves are parents – and since we are legally responsible for their behavior, well-being and financial care, shouldn’t we be empowered with a little more information that helps us guide our children?
I used to be a ‘let it all hang out’ and ‘to each his own’ teenager, but you’d be amazed at how much you change when you face the responsibility of raising a child in and protecting your child from an ‘in-your-face’ society.
I still marvel at how much I love my children, and I marvel at how much I want them to be free of today’s information overload so that they may have a childhood that many children are deprived of because they are exposed to adult content in almost all mediums.
Here is my detailed answer:
https://fromelysium.blogspot.com/2009/09/ratings-or-censorship-politics-social.html
"I did read everything until they got to be 10 or 11 and read voraciously, constantly, like alcoholics…" Anon 8:29
Alcoholics read voraciously??
I not only wish kid books were rated, I wish adult books were too. So often, I've picked up a book thinking "ooo, sounds great!" and then am greeted with a graphic account of incest, child abuse, what have you – something I didn't want in my head. I'm not super conservative about what I'll read, but there are a couple things that I just can't stomach and would love to be warned.
Also, I have an 8 year old that reads at a very advanced reading level and it's so hard to find books that challenge her, but aren't angst filled or that cover subject matter she's not ready for. It's bad enough every child seems to get orphaned early on.
I find I resort to classics, like Robin Hood and The Swiss Family Robinson a lot. Or I read it first – but it's hard to keep up with her and a rating system would help me tremendously.
How is it censorship to give parents a heads up?
Hmmmm….this is a very good question…
As a mom whose friend had to have "the talk" with her daughter because of the content of the 1st book she didn't read b4 giving her daughter the OK…I would be in favor of a rating system.
As an writer…I would be concerned someone ELSE'S opinion of the content of MY book would negatively affect its sales. I write to touch lives, not to make loads of $, would some lives be skipped over b/c of the rating system?