Iowa Library Votes To Keep Sex Education Magazine On Display
Categories: Teens & tweens, Love & Sex, In The News, Media
Should this magazine be on display in a library? Credit: Sex, etc.
Iowa parents object to a sex education magazine being given prominent shelf space at their local library.
The offending reading matter is Sex, Etc., a journal that deals with teen sexuality. It is written by teenagers, and produced by Answer, a sexual education advocacy organization based at Rutgers University in New Jersey.
At the Ames Public Library meeting last week, the Board voted 6-1 to keep the magazine on display as it was before, according to Amestrib.com.
Concerned parent Joyce Bannantine had noticed that Sex, Etc. was on display, and being offered for free, when she visited the library "looking for her 15-year-old son," according to Amestrib.com.
Bannantine said she was "really surprised" by the content, which she described as "pretty graphic and very explicit." Amestrib.com says that Bannantine was particularly troubled by an article about lesbianism, which could put "ideas into [kids'] heads that some of them may not have even thought about yet."
Bannantine gathered 118 signatures asking the Ames Library Board of Trustees to reconsider their policy on the magazine, and delivered the petition to the Board prior to their meeting last week. The petition didn't ask for a ban on Sex, Etc. The residents just don't want it to be displayed "where younger teens tend to go," Bannantine told Amestrib.com.
Sample issues of the Sex, Etc. magazine are available online. One story is about a 16-year-old who came out to his parents as transgendered. Another is titled "Choosing Abstinence After You've Already Had Sex."
Click on the pages below to read the magazine's articles.
We don't know which issue Bannantine saw, but it would appear that Sex, Etc. is more educational than titillating.
As for putting ideas into kids' heads, a lot of the books, movies, music and TV shows that are targeted to young adults are sexually explicit, and not in an educational way. Katy Perry had a huge hit with "I Kissed a Girl". "Gossip Girl" has featured same-sex couples making out. For proof, check out these two clips:
So it is possible, even likely, that even the "young teens" Bannantine is concerned about are aware of these topics. Ames Public Library Director Art Weeks told Amestrib.com that the library subscribes to Sex, Etc. "to provide authoritative information that teens would likely be curious about."
What do you think? Should libraries make it easy for teenagers to find magazines such as Sex, Etc.? Or should material like this be kept in a back room?
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Elizabeth 11-23-2009 @ 4:02PM
Frankly, I don't see the problem with it, and I wish there had been a magazine like that when I was a teenager. What's the big deal? It's not part of the curriculum, it's something that teenagers can voluntarily read, or not, and from what I've seen, it's not only factual information from a clinical standpoint, but it also covers the emotional side and the consequences of unprotected or premature sex. As the article said, it's more educational than titillating. Just because it is there, doesn't mean that every kid is going to pick it up and read it. As for the library making it accessible for teenagers, if it's a library where most of the patrons are teenagers, why not? It's an issue that's important to many teens. And if the school in question doesn't have a comprehensive sex education course, this might be the only way a student whose parents are rather squeemish talking to them about sex will get the information.
Bottom line, if you don't like it, no one is forcing you to read it or look at it.
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Master Shake 11-28-2009 @ 3:50AM
Meanwhile the same parents would have no problem with the magazines that depict brutal violence - everything from video gaming magazines to cult horror movie fanzines. This is the sickness of puritanical America - graphic portrayals of chainsaws cutting into people hanging from meat hooks is just good fun, but let Janet Jackson have a wardrobe malfunction where a nipple pops into view for a fraction of a second, and its time to call in the federal government and get out the picket signs. GROW THE F-CK UP.
LS 11-24-2009 @ 8:07AM
Way to leave out some pertinent facts to get your biased point across.
First off, the library was offering TWO issues of this magazine when every other magazine only has ONE issue offered. That, in itself isn't such a big deal, except that it was not being displayed with the other periodicals in the library - on the magazine shelf, next to Glamour, Field and Stream, and Newsweek. It was being displayed in an area where other, much younger, people gather - people who might not be ready for the material within. Like it or not, some sexual material is NOT appropriate for all age groups.
Second, this particular magazine is not subject to the check-out policy. Which means that nobody knows who takes it out, thereby circumventing parental approval - most libraries give parents the ability to restrict their children from checking out inappropriate material, which is entirely appropriate, and within parental responsibility. The library's current policy circumvents that parental option, effectively eliminating the "parental responsibility" to oversee what their kids are reading that is going to be thrown around so liberally here.
The following is the exact text of the petition:
"We, the undersigned, agree this material and others like it should not be displayed in a manner that encourages teenagers to look at material when there was no active seeking of the subject. Advertising questionable material to our teenagers and allowing them to take the items home without checking out is circumventing parent's authority These items should be cataloged and searched out if teenagers are needing answers to questions. It is not the place of the Public Library to actively engage our teenagers on highly sensitive and moral issues. "
Why shouldn't this magazine be subject to check-out procedures just like every other magazine? Why should it be placed in a prominent place, essentially receiving preferential treatment over the other magazines in the building? The parents didn't want it removed from the shelves, just moved to it's appropriate place in the library, and treated the same as all the other publications.
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lacqua86 11-27-2009 @ 8:56PM
First off LS, most libraries CAN'T restrict children's or teen's cards based on what parents find appropriate. Most libraries cannot act in loco parentis. Kids and teens can check out anything and it is up to the parent to come to the library with the child/teen and decide what is appropriate. Libraries are not allowed to police this. What I find appropriate for a child, isn't necessarily what you would find appropriate. Watch your own children, don't expect a public place like the library do this
If this parent and others were so concerned about what there children were reading, they should take the pro-active step and take an interest in their children's lives to see what they are reading or doing at the library. This parent came in "looking" for her son. Know where your son is and what he is doing. It's not up to the library to babysit YOUR child. Talk to your child and decide what you'd like them to know about sex and they wouldn't even need to make these publications.
Also, the descriptions make this magazine sound as if it was informational, not promotional. It wasn't promoting lesbianism, it was informing teens on sexuality.
Tim 11-24-2009 @ 10:28AM
Hey Ames parents- the magazines are free for the taking. I suggest you take one or two home with you every time you visit the library and dump them in the trash when you get home.
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What?! 11-27-2009 @ 8:56PM
Boy, don't the advertisements ever quit posting in the comment sections? About the sex education, maybe we should wait for marriage. It would keep the kids at bay for a while. I believe that the parent participation is far more effective than the sex education teacher. The parents would encourage their children to abstain from sex while the sex ed teachers would show the students how to use the condoms.
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Courtney 11-27-2009 @ 8:55PM
I am only eighteen years old and i personally think that sex before marriage will only lead to trouble. Seriously, how will my future husband take it if I tell him that there were others before him even just one other guy. I do however think the magazine was really well done from what I read of it. it wasn't explicit. Abercrombie and Fitch catalogues are worse than that whole magazine. I don't think that having this magazine displayed is as bad as the parents let on. Maybe if they actually picked up the magazine and read it instead of just seeing the title says "sex" *gasp*. besides what happened to the first amendment? just throwing that out there.
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Britt 11-28-2009 @ 1:24AM
I'm hoping your future husband loves you for you. Not for your sex or virginity. Frankly, "how many people have you slept with" shouldn't be an issue when dating someone. My current boyfriend was my first, he's been with 2 others. Do I care? No because he's with me now and his past isn't an issue. Sex before marriage doesn't lead to trouble. People lead to trouble. Just putting that out there.
Tasha 12-05-2009 @ 5:19AM
he'll be fine seeing as he probably had some girls before you.
Lincoln Paradox 11-27-2009 @ 9:06PM
People in Ames were upset that the library had a display for 10 additional copies of the magazine in a high traffic area, and that the library had paid for the 10 additional copies to give away free. The petition did not ask for a complete ban, but only for the removal of the display and the 10 copies. The information would still be available, just as a single periodicals copy.
The reason why this petition did not gain traction is because the parent who initiated it was concerned about "pro-homosexual messages." The library board might have bowed to removing the extra copies "illicit content" or putting the magazine on reserve for 16 and up. But because the impetus of the petition seemed to be concerned more with the magazine turning kids gay.
Personally, I felt that the magazine should be set aside for older teens, but still made available.
LP
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Britt 11-28-2009 @ 1:24AM
I started sex-ed in 4th grade. It was gender-separated and we learned about our own bodies. We learned more every year and started actually talking about sex, in a co-ed setting, in the 6th grade. Knowledge is power and kids as young as 10 are getting curious about sex and their bodies and where babies come from. I would rather my 9-year-old brother get the information from a source like that then from some kid at school who heard it from their big brother or some random site on the Internet or just decided to experiment.
Elizabeth 11-27-2009 @ 9:10PM
Wow! Are we living in the 20's or is it the year 2009? Why are some parents afraid of sex? They have sex, what's the big deal? Sex is a normal part of life, it's not dirty.
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dave 11-27-2009 @ 11:34PM
Do what we do. Don't go to the library.
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lockeslylefey 11-27-2009 @ 11:50PM
Whats sad..is the PARENTS are the ones that don't have the information these days. They're too busy living by the standard of how they grew up and are out of touch with todays youth. It is true that some things change, and other stay the same. But I will be the first to you.. todays teen sexuality isn't the same as it was a decade ago. It is the PARENTS Responsibility to be update on the things in this world, and wakling hand in hand with their children.. not belittling them or yelling at them how this is wrong and that wrong. The Parents are a guide. Not a set in stone. Parents teach..teens still make their own decisions. Eventually.. if you think about it.. you'll figure it out.
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concerned about our youth 11-29-2009 @ 10:49AM
Their was a time when sexual immorality troubled most people in America. Anything that would contribute to it also bothered people as well. We brag about how great America is, but under all the make-up are scares and blemishes. Every where i go now there is some young gay male. I stress Young/Teen. That spirit is taking over our next generation. We who do not oppose that spirit are influencing that behavior. "Choosing Abstinence After You've Already Had Sex." How about choosing abstinence from the start. How about I teach my children abstinence from their youth. Have I missed the point? Let me get to the root. The devil is a lier and he comes to steal,kill and destroy our future, hope, and faith in our creator. Please pray that God open your eyes to the truth of the matter. Our young people minds are so impressionable and susceptible to many fallacies. Were in a bad state! Do what you like; Live how you like. That's the attitude of this nation for the most part. What about the consequences? Americas distruction won't be caused by our financial condition, but by our immoral position. Some will say your judging, but Love speaks only truth. Love me enough to tell me the truth, or when i'm going down the wrong path.
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Britt 11-28-2009 @ 1:24AM
If you believe in God, and read the Bible, then you know that prayer does nothing. God has planned every birth and death and the way every person will live every day. He planned for the children of today to be the way they are. He planned for every gay, straight, trans gender, curious, and sexual person to be the way they are.
jay 11-28-2009 @ 7:01PM
I also wish we had something like that when I went to school in the '70s. Sex Ed was so awful I could tell you about the teacher but noting about the class. I went out more retarded than when I went in.
Drivers Ed was next now that I could tell you about. If its not porn I'm sure its fine. They did say Iowa and I'm sure its different than other parts of the country, get over it.
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encornomor 11-28-2009 @ 1:42AM
If this lady's child can often be found at the library, she is indeed a lucky parent. Two old adages to be considered here: 1) "Knowledge Is Power" and 2) "A Little Learning Is A Dangerous Thing". Let the child fully explore any subject that piques his interest. If he isn't interested in or curious about any information available, it's very doubtful that he'll even stop to look at it. If he has a need to know something, it is FAR preferable that he have the advantage of accurate information rather than the plethora of misinformation he'll encounter from his peers. YES, she can get pregnant the first time, YES, oral sex is real sex with all the inherent dangers and NO, everyone else is NOT necessarily doing it. If the kid is late coming home from the library, buy him a watch and thank heaven the public library is a viable option for him!
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Tricia 11-28-2009 @ 2:29AM
I started teaching my children sex education at a very early age, (when they asked a question, I answered, accurately and age-appropriately, always using the correct anatomical vocabulary.) As they got older, and the questions became more explicit, I answered the same way. Still, I see NO PROBLEM in teenagers having such a magazine available to them. They may have questions that they are too embarrassed to ask a parent as they get older, and knowing that such a magazine would give correct answers is a REAL PLUS. Natch, just keep it out of the "kiddie section!
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Matt Delbridge 11-28-2009 @ 2:56AM
The mere fact that the women in question still believes that we choose our sexual orientation tells me that she may need the education even more than some of the kids.
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