Response to "Darkness too visible"

The Article "Darkness too visible" by Megan Cox Gurdon" addresses the all too prevalent issue of young adult fiction, and what's considered "appropriate". Gurdon backs the side of those who believe that overly adult themes such as, Incest, pederasty, and self mutilation should be banned.

She uses loaded words and imagery to suppport her point. For example she she calls books of this sort "Horrendous" and says that any young reader who seeks out this "Depravity" will be surrounded by, "brutality and losses", of the, "Most horrendous kinds." She also uses imagery by describing the world of teen fiction as a "hall of funhouse mirrors, constantly reflecting back distorted portrayls of what life is.

Lastly, she quotes a person who's viewpoint is opposite of hers, and then describes his ranting against censorship as "bemoaning". The restrictions set on him. This is effective because she gives her counterattack an ear, then points out faults in it to weaken it. Explaining how not censoring books can be considered a "dereliction" of a parents duty. Yet when editors do this as part of their job, they are incriminated.

I partially agree with the author. I don't think that adolescents should be sheltered, and have an idea of the dark parts of this world. However they shouldn't be entertaining themselves with it by reading a book solely about self-mutilation. When it comes down to how much children are influenced, it really depends on the child's maturity and their parents decision.