What About Comic Books?
But what about other fantasy-type literature, comic books for instance? The same basic problems contained in fairy tales are all present in comics. They are largely just fairy tales in another form.
From 1955 to about 1969, comics generally declined in sales and popularity. It was in 1955 that a Senate Subcommittee, at the urging of citizens who had read Dr. Frederick Wertham's anti-comic expose Seduction of the Innocent, forced the Comic Cone Authority (CCA) to self-censor all excessive violence, sex, sadism, death, and the other major selling points of the comics.
Comics now sell about 30 million copies per month, down from about 90 million in 1955. But since 1969, comic consumption has begun to grow upward again, partly due to introduction of so called "relevant" themes (student riots, racism, bombing conspiracy, etc) and partly due to the introduction of so called comix. These black-and-white, over-priced and poorly drawn comix are unapproved by the CCA, replete with obscenities, gore, sex, hatred, and vulgar anti-establishment sentiments. Most parents aren't aware such comix exist, but they are catching on fast.
But what about "approved" comic books? A significant number of these still contain abundant violence, magic, gore, demonism, racism, and hatred. Unless you want your children to emulate such actions, you should carefully censor the comics — if any — which they read.
Not all comics, of course, are worthy of the same condemnation. Some comics are thought of as cute, entertaining, and "harmless?" But should the criterion for determining your children's reading be simply that it is "harmless?" Or do you want them to learn some beneficial, positive knowledge as they read?
Why Most Comics Are Objectionable
Most comics show an obvious preoccupation with violence, crime, sadism, and death. In "approved" comics the most notable increase lately is in horror, magic, and mystery tales, an unhealthy escape from reality to "another world" of demons and witches.
The same false concepts contained in fairy tales are also taught via the comics. "In the comics, people in authority," for instance, "tend to be stupid, pompous and sadistic, and inevitably they are humiliated. How appealing is this to the youngster who is so much under the thumb of adult authority!" (Evelyn Rose Robinson, ed., Readings About Children's Literature, David McKay, 1966, p. 48)
Most people expect "classic" comics to be exceptions to the rule. They often are. But the 1955 Comic Code reads like this: "Crime stories [are objectionable] unless they relate to folklore or classical literature." And "classics" aren't classics because of their story plot, but because of the way the story is told.
All reading decisions, however, are entirely up to the parent. The kind of books and periodicals you give your children is an indication of how concerned you are for their emotional wellbeing and character development. It's a serious responsibility. It could have a profound effect on the success of their adult years.
Guidelines for Good Reading
With 3,000 new children's book titles monthly, teachers and librarians are unable to keep up with the good and bad qualities of each new book. It is up to the parents to supervise their children's reading.
What type of books should your children read? Remember these important guidelines: Is the story in touch with reality? Does it instill positive character traits ?
Here are four qualities to look for in good children's literature:
1. Does the book teach the child more about himself and the world around him?
2. Will it aid the child to adjust to the realities of his own social environment, his peers, his family?
3. Will it help him to develop mentally and spiritually, learning moral lessons and factual knowledge in proper balance?
4. Is the story entertaining — with action, story, musical quality, illustrations, people, animals — in a positive manner, avoiding absurdities, exaggerations, and unreal fantasies?
Many children's books fulfill all four criteria, and many more fulfill at least two or three, depending on the subject involved. For preschoolers, for instance, there are animal books, picture stories, and "how-to" books. By age 2, you can be reading picture stories to your child each day. Most children love to be read to, even well after they learn how to read themselves.
Reading to your child helps him to learn how to learn, and how to listen. It isn't mandatory that your child learn the alphabet, learn how to count, or how to spell before being registered in a qualified school. But your child does need to know how to learn when he gets there. Personal reading, teaching, and question answering teaches him this. Respect your child's need for variety and change, too. His attention span will start small and grow steadily.
One point of balance should be kept in mind. You should know the difference between escapist fantasy in general and the kind of fiction which tells a positive, action-filled, believable story.
Parental Supervision Vital
Consult your local librarian, children's section, for help in finding proper reading material. Make it very clear as to exactly the kind of books you wish your children to read. Take the time to look through the material yourself and choose it based on the principles already discussed. Don't just send your child to the library saying, "pick out a classic." It won't work. It is important you help choose the books, or approve them.
Enjoyment of proper books must be taught, it is usually not "natural." If a child is allowed to pick only what he wants, he may well select worthless reading material. In one experiment, children were exposed to the most popular of profitable children's books on the shelves and tables of their school library. But on one corner table, half hidden, was a stack of popular comics, mainly crime, horror, "super" heroes, war, and magic comic books. The teachers nonchalantly left the room, but observed the results from outside.
The children literally dove after the stack of comics. The books weren't touched, although both books and comics were color illustrated and fun to read. This surely illustrates the proverb: "Foolishness is bound in the heart of a child." The word foolishness is spelled in Hebrew evil, and it meant just what the English word "evil" has come to mean: evil or delinquent. If your child is left to himself, with no previous training, his reading matter will most likely be comprised of nonsense subjects.
Children are lovable, sweet, and precious, but always remember, they are also "thoughtless" — totally pliable, open-minded and, generally, teachable. They traditionally believe whatever you tell them, or even whatever you tell them to read. If they devour a predominant diet of fantasy, for instance, they'll believe fantasy is truth.
Parents must teach character. Nothing comes more natural to your child than violence, fantasy, adventure, and magic. Nothing comes easier to a child at play than the imitated sputter of a machine gun as he murders his friends "in fun." There is an almost universal tendency, at any age, to be fascinated by crime, violence, war and destruction.
But what most parents don't realize is that good reading material can be made equally enjoyable. Children have a subconscious need and desire to be told what their bounds are, to be given laws of right and wrong, black and white. They are frustrated when unguided. Left to "decide for himself," a child is miserable.
Teach Them Character
Teach your children to sort out the good and reject the bad. Teach them why, and then, later, ask them to tell you why themselves. Teach them — even in pre-school — to analyze, weigh and evaluate what they see. Later in the elementary grades teach them to analyze as they read. Point out to them various magazines, newspaper articles, and books they should read.
Good character is not inborn. Parents must teach it, developing in them the character to enforce their own reading. Your son may find a way to smuggle comics, bizarre science fiction, or even pornography into his room unless you begin to teach him character before he is able to read. Most young girls likewise secretly read "love" comics, movie magazines, or foolish and unrealistic novels — unless they have learned earlier to see the harm in such reading. "Forbidden fruit" won't have its charm if you explain why it's wrong and encourage the child to develop the character to refuse it.
Watching a child grow and learn is a tremendously rewarding experience. Be careful with your child's mind, and you may be privileged to form the knowledge, wisdom, and character of a leader in tomorrow's world.