rockin'robin

A Virginia man says he became "infuriated" when he discovered that his 16-year-old son brought home a book he'd been given in school that contained references to homosexuality, drug use and explicit sexual behavior.

The father's complaint has led to a school review of the novel, "Perks of Being a Wallflower" by Stephen Chbosky, which has been a source of controversy in other schools across the country.

John Davis, of Vinton, Va., said his son, Matthew, brought the book home after it was given to him by a friend who had gotten it from Kathleen Renard, an English teacher at William Byrd High School.

"My first reaction when I saw the contents of the book was anger," Davis told FOXNews.com. "I was infuriated. Teachers are supposed to be teaching our kids what they need to know educationally. These kinds of things are the parent's responsibility."

"Perks of Being a Wallflower" chronicles a young man's freshman year of high school, during which he struggles to find his place in an ever-changing setting. According to the American Library Association, the 224-page novel, published in 1999 by MTV Books, was among the top 10 frequently challenged books of 2008 due to its references to drugs, homosexuality, offensive language, suicide and other material considered unsuitable to certain age groups.

Davis said the book's "very descriptive" language on topics like homosexuality, masturbation and drug use is inappropriate for his son, who is in 11th grade.

"I don't think it's age-appropriate for anyone," he said. "I don't think adults should be reading that junk. It's pornography. They're corrupting his mind with this garbage."

Davis said he confiscated the book and contacted William Byrd High School principal Richard Turner to arrange a meeting with him and Renard. During the Oct. 2 meeting, Davis said, Turner refused to make Renard available and emphatically stated he would not fire her.

"I just wanted her to be in the meeting to know why she supplied the book," Davis said. "[Turner] even admitted that it was trash and that it shouldn't be in school."

Messages seeking comment from Turner and Renard were not returned. A call to MTV Books seeking comment on Wednesday was not immediately returned.

Chuck Lionberger, community relations specialist for Roanoke County Public Schools, said the principal removed two copies of the book from the school's library following Davis' complaint.

"The book is being reviewed under the school system's established policy relating to challenged material," Lionberger said in a statement to FOXNews.com. "The book had been placed in the school library using established procedures relating to library material. The principal also took appropriate personnel action."

He said school district policy prevented him from specifying what action was taken against Renard.

Davis said he wants other parents to know "that these kinds of things are going on" in public schools nationwide, although he didn't cite any evidence to that effect. The book was removed from classrooms last year in Portage, Ind., according to the American Library Association.

"The main reason for my complaint is to get the information out," Davis said. "I hope to wake some people up so they can say, 'I don't want my kids to be a part of something like this.' At this point in his maturity level, I don't think he was in a place to be subjected to that book or to handle it properly."

Carrie Gardner, assistant professor of library science at Kutztown University in Pennsylvania, defended the coming-of-age novel, saying it may be helpful in providing "coping strategies" to teenagers.

"Our young people are living in a world full of both fiction and nonfiction situations that deal with drug use and sexuality," Gardner told FOXNews.com. "Fiction books that contain that type of information can provide young people with coping strategies."

She also said that reading disturbing material does not necessarily lead to unsocial behavior.

"People often overestimate the power of a fiction book," she continued. "People can read fiction stories and not have those stories impact us, just like many of us watch horrific stories on television news and not have a reaction."

Explicit 'Banned Book' Infuriates Virginia Father, Leads to School Review - Local News | News Articles | National News | US News - FOXNews.com

Deafness

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sallylou

Gee, sounds like the issues that a high school student faces in school. Too realistic for some parents, I guess.

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Happy holidays!

CJB

Sounds like the book was pretty graphic, but being in 11th grade isn't like being 11 years old. I know it's a matter of opinion at what age sexual content becomes appropriate, but I thought even the most sexually conservative of parents were okay with reading about sexual content at 16. I guess not.

I also have to wonder if this parent would have been as infuriated if it was just sexual context and drugs, not homosexual content. Not that I think he would be totally okay with it, but rather if there is any underlying homophobia adding fuel to his fury. After all I have seen this kind of thing happen before.

I haven't read this book in particular but I wonder if it is actually trash writing or if it's good writing that happens to be graphic (like J.D. Salinger's The Catcher in the Rye).

Lighthouse77

I think 16 years old should be legal adult age and then we don't have to worry about "permission" with anything.

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sallylou

I would agree with you lighthouse, but for the fact that a 16 YO's brain is still developing. It's like 16 YOs are in this quasi-state with an adult-like body and a still immature brain. I've studied adolescent development and I have a teen, too. My teen can be so mature one minute and act like a kid the next. Add a little rebellion and you've got a challenging situation on your hands.

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rockin'robin

Ur so right, SallyLou....teens for a minute and kids the next....IMO, I would be angry too, if my 15 yr old brought a book home like that. That's just MO, tho. Some parents might not mind, but I don't have these types of books in my home. I don't profess to be "narrow minded", I have a 13 yr old too.

Lighthouse77

I know some 22 years old who act like kids but anyway, I'm just saying let the parents do their job if teens are still under their authority or just let them be adults if it doesn't matter what the parent thinks. .

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Good thing about standards is that there are so many of them to choose from.

sallylou

Yea, me too. And I know some 16 YO who are more mature than most adults.

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Bramus

A junior in high school and the parent's getting worked up over this? I'd understand if the people lived under a rock but wow....talk about overreacting.

Lighthouse77

well, it's no different than parents getting worked up over books on unsafe sex (which I wonder if this book is about that) or even worked up over prayers.

but anyway, this father trusted this school to educate his kids, not to teach their idea of moral values. Don't get me wrong, I don't believe we should be bullying or harrassing people who are homosexuals or lesbians. I even believe in the hate crime law to certain degree (as we always try to find out the reason why people were killed before we give killer their sentences). BUT my religious belief can not recognize homosexual marriage just like I don't recognize child marriage ( none of us recognize child marriages and will immediately take the child away from the man who claimed to be her husband) or polygamy marriage so I don't think it is a good idea for the school to even teach about the definition of marriage and such. And yes, I believe homosexuals and lesbians should live anyway they like just like people who lies, have sex before marriage, etc without fear of harsh punishment from the people or the gov't. (I would rather the gov't do away marriages and call everything civil union and leave the term "marriage" to the church but it could complicate some things)

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Good thing about standards is that there are so many of them to choose from.

dogmom

I read banned books!

When I was in high school, my folks were very open to me reading really anything - and I did. Now coming from perspective of someone who doesn't have kids, true, I am always concerned about this banning of written materials in highschools, because in my experience as having been an adolescent, the kids are gonna get this stuff from somewhere. Instead of hiding things out of fear, what about having a discussion about it? If parent awkward about it, maybe discuss THAT w/adult friend or counselor parent-support group to see how parent could come to terms with discussing with the kid. Banning and fear spreads misinformation and for some kids can make it seem more intriguing than if parents just matter-of-fact about it.

jillio

What a shame that rather than focusing on the literary and social value of this book, some reduced it to the sexual discussion only. Such narrowmindedness.

How many want to bet that this man's son is questioning his own sexual orientation, and that he was reading the book to help him explore his options and to get a realistic perspective of what he may face in this homophobic society? Looks like the father knows, on some level, that his son, at age 16, is already exploring these issues, and the fact that his son may be homosexual scares the hell out of the father.

Bottesini

In that case, he gets a realistic perspective about how his families reaction will be.

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It's a joke Nathan!

sallylou

If people want to get other people to read a book, all they have to do is suggest that it be banned. I make it a point to read banned books. This is a great way to get kids to read. Let the kids think that they are reading something that you don't want them to, and they will rebel right into a reading habit. They will even learn to think for themselves.

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jillio

No doubt. Not a pretty picture, IMO.

shel90

"I don't think it's age-appropriate for anyone," he said. "I don't think adults should be reading that junk. It's pornography. They're corrupting his mind with this garbage."

Pardon my language here...


He is a dumb fuck to make that assessment for anyone else but himself.

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Shel~

"A child educated only at school is an uneducated child." -George Santayana

Bottesini

I did not pass judgment but that is the case in many families.

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It's a joke Nathan!

jillio

Yes, I didn't intend to pass judgement. Simply drawing a correlation between his reaction to the book, and what could be expected as a reaction when told a member of his family was homosexual.

deafskeptic

Unfortunately.

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shel90

Dont get me wrong, this guy is entitled to his opinion and feelings but instead of making such outrageous comments about how this book is garbage, I think he should sit down with his son and discuss the book. By reacting in such a way, he could give his son the message that homosexuality is not to be tolerated.

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Shel~

"A child educated only at school is an uneducated child." -George Santayana

rockin'robin

I was cleaning the boys bathroom the other day and found a "Hooters" magazine hidden in back of the closet. Just very prety girls, with skimpy outfits on. At first, I thought to trash it!....But gave it some more thought, and just stuck it right back in there.

It's my 15 yr. olds book. Now I know why he spends "more time" in the bathroom (he still doesn't know that I know it's in there).

Right now, football is his passion. And girls do call him often, but he's too busy, and once in a while, he will ask me to take him and a date to the movies, and I pick them up also.

But, if I found a "banned" book with explicit sexual pictures in it, I would confront him right then. I don't feel he needs "an education" in homosexuality or sexual intercourse at his age!

I can understand the father's rage about this book. Each parent is different. My 17 yr. old (now he is 18) admitted to the doctor he had unprotected sex with his girlfriend. They are now broke up. When this happened, all 3 of my boys and I sat down and had a big conversation about it. I've made it plain and simple....they can go to jail for having sex with an underage girl, and the fact that it's wrong at their age.

Keeping teenagers busy with sports and activities is the best thing to do. Plus, they have a right and a left hand, use it.

shel90

Huh? At 18?

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Shel~

"A child educated only at school is an uneducated child." -George Santayana

rockin'robin

Say what, Shel?...He was 17 when he had unprotected sex....he is 18 now...my other 2 boys are 15 and 13.

CJB

Wow, no sex even at 18? I get the unprotected part, but 18 is not that outrageously young.

rockin'robin, what state do you live in? A lot of states allow 16- or 17-year-olds to consent to sex. (You can look your state up here.) Not to mention it's a law that's hard to enforce, and some states make exceptions for partners that are close in age, which are known as Romeo and Juliet Laws.

shel90

U mean he is not allowed to read books about sex at 18?

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Shel~

"A child educated only at school is an uneducated child." -George Santayana

sallylou

Do you realize that sexual orientation is determined by two years of age? Learning about homosexuality is not going to turn you kid gay. Personally, I think that the heterosexual rape culture is more damaging to straight kids than learning about an alternative life style.

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rockin'robin

My 18 year old more than likely does have sex now. He has a new girlfriend. The reason I was "concerned" was that at 17, he had "unprotected" sex and admitted it to the doctor. He was checked for any diseases, and he is clean. He has condoms in his wallet, always had, since age 16. Unfortunately, he did not use them when he first had sex! That was my concern.

As far as my 18 year old reading sex books, he does not...to my knowledge. No books were ever at home or his room. If he does "read them", it's somewhere else.

I haven't actually "quizzed" my 18 year old if he is having sex. The only statement I made to him was...."are you both using protection??"....He replied, "yes, she had a shot that will prevent pregnancy." I replied "excellent! You both are too young to be parents", and he said "Ohhh, yeah"! And the conversation was dropped.

rockin'robin

I live in Florida. And yes, I do know about that law. A friend of mine, she allowed her 17 yr. old to move in his 16 yr. old girlfriend. IMO, that would never happen in my home. They have since "broken up" and my friend said she was "so glad".!....I asked her if she was gonna allow him to do this again, and she said "No way!"

rockin'robin

Yes, I do. My boys are not "gay". They are straight. Even tho' we have not discussed homosexuality, I'm sure they know all the avenues of that, even learned about it in school and from their friends.

My 18 and 15 yr. old are old enuf....but my 13 yr. old is not.....he knows the "basics"....but I'm not about to having books around my home about sex. When he reaches age 16, he will have condoms in his wallet. The same for the 15 yr. old.

sallylou

RR, you're a wise mom to make sure that your boys are well informed and protected. You've supported them without shaming them. I hope that I do as well for my boys.

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Happy holidays!