The Pride Movement in Children's Books: A Discussion on Age-Appropriate Content
The Pride movement, a once tightly-focused campaign for equal rights, has witnessed a drastic evolution over the years. Increasingly, it has incorporated aspects that are more mature and complex, often involving themes and behaviors that are adult in nature. This shift becomes particularly concerning when it comes to the education and exposure of children. A potent example of this shift can be seen in the children's literature found in Rockwood School District libraries, with books like Pride Puppy! written by Robin Stevenson and illustrated Julie McLaughlin, Pride: The Story of Harvey Milk and the Rainbow Flag written by Rob Sanders and illustrated by Steven Salerno, and People of Pride: 25 Great LGBTQ Americans written by Chase Clemesha, MD.
Pride Puppy!, a tale about a lost puppy during a Pride parade, introduces children to the symbols and elements of the Pride movement. However, as some Pride parades have morphed from peaceful demonstrations to events featuring more explicit, adult-themed activities, the book inadvertently exposes children to aspects of the Pride movement that can be controversial and potentially inappropriate for their age.
Meanwhile, Pride: The Story of Harvey Milk and the Rainbow Flag offers a historical context to the Pride movement, bringing children into a dialogue on sexuality and identity. While the historical lesson is invaluable, it might introduce themes that could be considered too mature for young readers.
People of Pride: 25 Great LGBTQ Americans presents profiles of prominent LGBTQ figures, celebrating their accomplishments and contributions to society. The intent of the book is to inspire and educate children about diversity and acceptance. However, the complexities surrounding the sexual orientation and gender identities of these figures can introduce children to issues that they may not be developmentally ready to fully understand.
The challenge here lies not in teaching children about diversity, acceptance, and the historical struggle for equal rights, but rather in the potential for such literature to unintentionally expose children to aspects of the Pride movement that veer away from the initial aim of advocating for equality.
Moreover, the availability of these books in school libraries presents an issue of parental control. Regardless of political or ideological leanings, parents should have the right to decide when and how their children are introduced to complex topics like sexuality and identity. By incorporating these themes in school libraries, this decision-making power is effectively removed from parents' hands.
This is not to say that the Pride movement's struggle for equality should be dismissed or that diverse voices should be excluded from children's literature. However, it is a call for caution. We must ensure that the content we offer our children is age-appropriate, sensitive to their developmental stage, and respects the rights of parents to guide their children's understanding.
In conclusion, while it is crucial to foster a dialogue around acceptance and equality, it is equally important that the content our children are exposed to is appropriate and respectful. School libraries, educators, and parents must collaborate to find the balance between teaching our youth and preserving their innocence.