When we talk about culture and the idea that something might be problematic, there are a number of different things that could mean. The ‘problem’ may or may not always be directly in the thing that a creator has produced. Can we enjoy good art (in a broad sense of that word) when it is made by a terrible human? Can we enjoy something that does have a problematic element(s) while acknowledging that is the case? And how does any of this change when we add children into the equation? What should we do with materials that we find individually problematic? Societally problematic?
You’ve probably seen these kinds of questions asked, especially in regard to film, for example, if you recall the Harvey Weinstein/#MeToo moment of a few years ago. Historically, artists, writers, musicians, actors have not always been the most stellar examples of humanity. Good art has been made by people who were murders, rapists, racists, anti-Semites, homophobes, misogynists, etc. In many art forms, it can be a more complicated question because of how many people it might take to make (again, films are a good example.) We would find we have very little if we limited our cultural intake to only things created by people without any controversy. We are all human and the world is morally complex.
In this module, we’re going to look at a few writers and pieces of children’s literature that have been beloved at one time to think about these questions.
If you’ve never seen this talk before, I encourage you to watch this Ted talk from the Nigerian writer, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie.
8 thoughts on “Problematic Children’s Literature”
I believe that problematic work should still be looked at by future audiences, however, it should be for mature audiences and presented in a way that highlights why it is problematic. This still lets the work and stories to be shared into the future while acknowledging the problems of it and its creators.
I agree with lucie that problematic work should still be shown but also while highlighting the fact that it is problematic and why. So in the future there is no more problematic work since people will have the knowledge on why it is problematic. there is so many problematic work that are not shown as problematic and especially in children’s literature which can effect the children forma very young age.
Problematic children’s literature needs to stop. I believe that children should not be taught anything negative or even if they were trying to be funny. As a young age they should be just focusing on education. Just like in this video she said “show a people as one thing as only one thing over and over again and that is what they become”. When watching or reading a books about current people some people tends to believe. If these problematic literature are for adults then that another topic. But I believe problematic literature for children needs to stop.
I believe that problematic work should be shown so others can understand the difference between what is problematic and what’s not. Also, it should be shown to people that is mature and cable of understanding and are mature.
I believe the problematic work should be banned instead of books that are shinning a light on issues and give different perspectives. This video informed me that we all have a single story of certain things and subjects that are formed through this literature. This is why being inclusive and diverse is important because different perspectives will be able to be represented.
I believe that we show students problematic children’s literature. Kids are going to be the ones who be in charge in the future. They should understand work that is problematic, describes certain things negatively, and learn how to avoid problematic literature. We should also teach adults about problematic children’s literature, because they should understand the language and what made that literature problematic.
I think problematic children’s literature needs to stop now because there are a lot of different types of problematic children’s literature that is already published and that kids have already seen. But I also think the ones that have already been published/released should stay so we can explain to kids why these are wrong and how they as the future adults can solve this issue.
I have learned about Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie in a previous English class and I can definitely say that she’s a brilliant author that has opened up my eyes to a lot that goes around us without us even knowing.