Did your parents censor your reading?

[AuntNi]

The "Breaking Dawn" thread got me thinking: how many of you had your reading material censored by your parents when you were growing up? I don't remember my parents ever censoring my reading material. The whole time I was at home, there might have beeen two books they suggested I wait a couple years to read - I think they were Gone With The Wind and Hemingway. And I still read both by 10th grade at the latest. My parents are both enthusiastic readers, and they have tons of books laying around the house. I was welcome to read anything that interested me, although I know they didn't approve of mindless romance novels. I know I'm a much more well-rounded person because of the variety of books I read.

But I don't know that I'm as open-minded as my parents! There are books ("Breaking Dawn" is one) I would not be comfortable with my daughter reading at a young age. I know that some of the stuff I read emboldened me to experiment with things I wish I'd waited for.

I'm very curious to hear your thoughts on this.

[carriebft]

No, they did not. Even when I was reading something that they knew I would not be able to understand the whole book (like when I read White Fang in second grade). Sometimes I would get ahold of a book that had explicit content and it was me who cringed and put the book down or went back to it when I was older. So I guess they kinda influence me like that without actually trying.

[Contrariety]

No, they didn't... but they aren't exactly the literary type. My mom likes romance novels and LDS church books. My dad likes westerns. It's hardly likely they even knew anything about what I was reading, anyway.

I don't mind censoring my kid's reading material for maturity level, FWIW. I think different kids can handle material differently, so it will depend on my children, but I'm not a fan of pre-teens or even young teens reading over sexualized books, which I feel many "young adult/teen" books definitely are.

[rmzbm]

Nope, they encouraged me to read any and every thing,

[enkmom]

Never. My mother actually fought with the librarian for me so that I could check out adult materials when I was in 5th grade because I had read almost everything in the childrens' department. I read what I wanted to, and they encouraged me to come to them with questions or concerns about any book I read.

I followed the same path with my own children. I do think that the development of the Young Adult market has staved off the question a bit - when I was a precocious reader, there were no "bridge" books to take me from Ramona Quimby to Scarlet O'Hara.

[Murihiku]

Twice.

When I was about nine I asked my mother what the Pill was. She told me and then went to the Children's Librarian to complain about the book I was reading. The librarian pointed out that it was on the YA shelves, and that was that. I didn't finish the book but I don't think I wanted to.

When I was eleven I was reading a book that had some Aborigine (Australian) spritiuality/magic in it and she was going through a shortlived Charismatic Catholic thing at the time and asked me not to read the rest. I obeyed.

(I remember her giving me The Hobbit to read when I was about eight to keep me out of her hair, so my gratitude far outweighs any resentment I have!)

[boricuaqueen327]

Nope. I was such an avid reader that I went thorugh books like crazy. Unless the cover was explicit they were ok. I stayed away from topics/themes I was uncomfortable with on my own, never because my parents banned certain books.

[KaraBoo]

Nope. I checked out all sorts of things. I read historical romances a lot at first. LOL But I also read things like Anna Karenina in the 7th grade. You know those lists teachers give you with classics you were supposed to be aware of? I'd look at those and checked off most of them each year because I'd already read them.

However, I did read a lot of things that helped form unhealthy expectations and ideas about life and relationships and success and happiness. This is not from the books alone, I must add, because I had a really messed up childhood...

[pumpkin]

My parents encouraged me to read everything I could get my hands on. I guess if I had brought home pure porn they would have objected, but that never came up.
I was a voracious reader with very little need to sleep. I had outgrown most kids books by 3rd grade. By 5th and 6th grade my parents were just giving me everything they had leftover from college or whatever they happened to be reading at the time. Its one of the few really good things they did as parents and I really appreciate it.

[northwoods1995]

No never. I went through books like crazy.

I hope my kids love to read as much as I do. I don't plan to censor what they read but I'll cross that bridge when I come to it.

[Mosaic]

Yes. I remember getting on a huge Judy Blume kick, but there were a few of her books that my mom nixed due to content. To be honest, I think that was the right call... I was (and still am) particularly sensitive to what I read, particularly if it's something heavy that I wasn't prepared for.

And really, from Superfudge to Forever? Yeah, that wouldn't have gone too well. Though, FWIW, "approved" books have been far more disturbing than "banned" ones...

[lurable]

Nope, the neither sensored not suggested. I read constantly and mostly books that belonged to them. They are big into sci-fi and fantasy books. I don't think they really paid much attention to what I was reading.

[Red Sonja]

I read anything and everything when I was growing up. The only time I ever remember my mom censoring what I read was when I grabbed a book in the checkout line at the grocery store once. I was maybe 9 or 10 and the book was a spin off of a soap opera, so I can understand why.

[mamalisa]

Nope, I was reading all those nasty VC Andrews books when I was really young, 4th, 5th grade? I wasn't allowed to watch Grease on tv, but I could read anything I wanted. They weren't quite thinking things through I guess

[Drummer's Wife]

no. and I don't intend to ever censor what my kids read, either.

[Scribe]

My mom is a librarian. There is no way she'd have censored what I read.

[Maeve]

Only when it came to sexual things (like if I picked up a novel that looked like it might have adult situations). Other than that, no. I read Gone With The Wind in middle school and loved it. Reading like that was encouraged.

[Arduinna]

never

[AuntNi]

enkmom, my parents also interceded with the school librarian for me. My SIL (my best friend growing up) and I were both voracious readers, but the librarian would only let us check out K-2 books in kindergarten. Our moms had to specifically give instructions that we could check out ANYTHING we wanted. So we went through most of the Nancy Drew series before 1st grade - so much fun!

Originally Posted by mamalisa

Nope, I was reading all those nasty VC Andrews books when I was really young, 4th, 5th grade? I wasn't allowed to watch Grease on tv, but I could read anything I wanted.

OMG, I'd *forgotten* about those books! Weren't they dreadful? Get this: my 6th grade gifted teacher gave me all those to read. Plus an unhealthy amount of fantasy books that promoted the benefits of chastity. I never have figured *that* out.

My parents also heavily censored my TV/movie viewing, which is why I felt like I was really getting by with something in my reading choices.

Mosaic, I'd also forgotten about Forever. My mom bought me a Judy Blume box set when I was in fourth grade, and encouraged me to ask her any questions that came up. But I knew I was not allowed to read Forever, which of course piqued my interest. Man, I looked *everywhere* for that book, but couldn't find it anywhere in the county! By the time I found it, I was old enough that I was wasn't interested anymore - I never have read it.

[minsca]

My parents were wise enough to realize that "censorship" just meant that I was probably going to be more interested in it and more likely to read it. I do remember my mom suggesting that I not read "Clan of the Cave Bears" at age 11. I tried to read it anyways, but I didn't understand a lot of what was happening so I never finished it then. I know I read my first adult romance novel in grade 5. Again I didn't understand the sexual parts, so I put those away for a few years.
I read everything I could get my hands on, usually a book or two per day. I was always asking the teacher during reading period if I could go to the library to get another book. I'm thankful my parents didn't censor. Mom would usually read what I read as well, and then we would discuss more "adult" themed books.
I will never discourage my children from reading. I will discuss the books they have read with them though.