Not in front of the children : "indecency," censorship, and the innocence of youth / Marjorie Heins.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Heins, Marjorie.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Censorship--United States--History--20th century.

Censorship.

National characteristics, American--History--20th century.

National characteristics, American.

Obscenity (Law)--United States.

Obscenity (Law).

Youth--United States--Social conditions--20th century.

Youth.

United States--Moral conditions--History--20th century.

United States.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (440 p.)

Edition:

2nd ed.

Place of Publication:

New Brunswick, N.J. : Rutgers University Press, [2007]

Language Note:

English

Summary:

From Huckleberry Finn to Harry Potter, from Internet filters to the v-chip, censorship exercised on behalf of children and adolescents is often based on the assumption that they must be protected from “indecent” information that might harm their development—whether in art, in literature, or on a Web site. But where does this assumption come from, and is it true? In Not in Front of the Children, Marjorie Heins explores the fascinating history of “indecency” laws and other restrictions aimed at protecting youth. From Plato’s argument for rigid censorship, through Victorian laws aimed at repressing libidinous thoughts, to contemporary battles over sex education in public schools and violence in the media, Heins guides us through what became, and remains, an ideological minefield. With fascinating examples drawn from around the globe, she suggests that the “harm to minors” argument rests on shaky foundations.

Contents:

Front matter

CONTENTS

Acknowledgments

Introduction to the 2007 Edition

INTRODUCTION

1. “ TO DEPRAVE AND CORRUPT”

2. MORE EMETIC THAN APHRODISIAC

3. THE GREAT AND MYSTERIOUS MOTIVE FORCE IN HUMAN LIFE

4. POLICING THE AIRWAVES

5. THE REIGN OF DECENCY

6. THE IDEOLOGICAL MINEFIELD: SEXUALITY EDUCATION

7. INDECENCY LAW ON TRIAL: RENO V. ACLU

8. FILTERING FEVER

9. CULTURAL DIFFERENCES

10. MEDIA EFFECTS

CONCLUSION: “THE ETHICAL AND MORAL DEVELOPMENT OF YOUTH”

NOTES

INDEX

Notes:

Originally published: New York : Hill and Wang, 2001. With new introduction.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

ISBN:

1-281-22422-7

9786611224226

0-8135-4388-6

OCLC:

213435523