Are Sexually Explicit Books in Elementary School Libraries?

 If you've been on any news site or social media site, you may see people decrying the UCP government for banning LGBTQ books. You may have also seen people condemning the public school system for having sexually explicit books in elementary school libraries. So, what is true? I decided to do a little digging myself. I reviewed the four books mentioned (through excerpts available online) and searched for them on the CBE, EPSB, and Rockyview School division library websites. Here is what I found. 

 

Gender Queer: A Memoir  

   Maia Kobabe 

  

 Synopsis: Maia's intensely cathartic autobiography charts eir journey of self-identity, which includes the mortification and confusion of adolescent crushes, grappling with how to come out to family and society, bonding with friends over erotic gay fanfiction, and facing the trauma of pap smears. Started as a way to explain to eir family what it means to be nonbinary and asexual, Gender Queer is more than a personal story: it is a useful and touching guide on gender identity—what it means and how to think about it—for advocates, friends, and humans everywhere. (From Goodreads.com[1])

 

Sexual content: This graphic novel contains graphic sex scenes that many would consider pornographic. It details the use of sex toys and experimentation.

 

Found: I did not find this book in the online catalogue for the aforementioned libraries. I cannot say if it is found within a teacher’s in-class library.

 

Fun Home: A Family Tragicomic

  Alison Bechdel

 

Synopsis:

Distant and exacting, Bruce Bechdel was an English teacher and director of the town funeral home, which Alison and her family referred to as the Fun Home. It was not until college that Alison, who had recently come out as a lesbian, discovered that her father was also gay. A few weeks after this revelation, he was dead, leaving a legacy of mystery for his daughter to resolve. (From Goodreads.com[2])

 

Sexual Content: Talks and shows masturbation, developing breasts, and other puberty related content. Nudity is limited to the chest and is more focussed on puberty than explicit intercourse.

 

Found: I did not find this book in the online catalogue for the aforementioned libraries. I cannot say if it is found within a teacher’s in-class library.

 

Blankets

Craig Thompson

 

Synopsis: Under an engulfing blanket of snow, Craig and Raina fall in love at winter church camp, revealing to one another their struggles with faith and their dreams of escape. Over time though, their personal demons resurface and their relationship falls apart. It's a universal story, and Thompson's vibrant brushstrokes and unique page designs make the familiar heartbreaking all over again. (From Goodreads.com)[3]

 

Sexual Content:  It discusses serious issues such as abuse. One character has Down’s Syndrome and is show nude multiple times.

 

Found: I did not find this book in the online catalogue for the aforementioned libraries. I cannot say if it is found within a teacher’s in-class library.

 

Fun Home: A Family Tragicomic

  Alison Bechdel

 

Synopsis:

Distant and exacting, Bruce Bechdel was an English teacher and director of the town funeral home, which Alison and her family referred to as the Fun Home. It was not until college that Alison, who had recently come out as a lesbian, discovered that her father was also gay. A few weeks after this revelation, he was dead, leaving a legacy of mystery for his daughter to resolve. (From Goodreads.com[4])

 

Sexual Content: Talks and shows masturbation, developing breasts, and other puberty related content. Nudity is limited to the chest and is more focussed on puberty than explicit intercourse.

 

Found: I did not find this book in the online catalogue for the aforementioned libraries. I cannot say if it is found within a teacher’s in-class library.

 

Flamer

Mike Curato

 

Synopsis: It's the summer between middle school and high school, and Aiden Navarro is away at camp. Everyone's going through changes—but for Aiden, the stakes feel higher. As he navigates friendships, deals with bullies, and spends time with Elias (a boy he can't stop thinking about), he finds himself on a path of self-discovery and acceptance. (From goodreads.com)[5]

 

Sexual Content: Graphic sexual content and language in the context of gay relationships.

 

Found: I did not find this book in the online catalogue for the aforementioned libraries. I cannot say if it is found within a teacher’s in-class library.

 

So, is there truth to it? It’s hard to say. It’s possible that the libraries pulled the books after there were complaints. It’s also possible that the complaints were exaggerated or that the books were found in public library collections. Whatever the truth, I do think we need to be careful about what content kids have access to. Studies have document the harmful effects of early pornography exposure.[6] But, people might argue, these books help children and youth discover their sexuality. But do children really need to see explicit gay content to discover their sexuality?  Anecdotal evidence alone found on various social media websites would suggest that many people in the LGBTQ community discovered it during puberty when they experience same sex attract such as wanting to hold hands with another boy.

Where does that leave us? Read up about it, study your children’s school libraries, and have your voice heard on the Alberta survey linked below.

 

https://www.alberta.ca/school-library-standards-engagement

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[1] https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/42837514-gender-queer?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=S7tQPskNNw&rank=1

[2] https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/26135825-fun-home?ac=1&from_search=true&qid=tnx2Sy2Qmy&rank=1

[3] https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25179.Blankets?ref=nav_sb_ss_1_8

 

[4] https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/26135825-fun-home?ac=1&from_search=true&qid=tnx2Sy2Qmy&rank=1

[5] https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/52751434-flamer?ac=1&from_search=true&qid=oeeKQHVnfp&rank=1

[6] See Early Exposure to Pornography: a form of sexual abuse by Caroline Girox

Exposure to Sexually Explicit Media in Early Adolescens is Related to Risky Sexual Behaviour in Emerging Adulthood by Wen-Hsu-Lin, Chia-Hua Liu, & Chin-Chun Yi.

Growing Up too Fast by Psych Central