Since the pandemic, book bans have been a prevalent topic in current partisan discourse in the United States. With considerable numbers of books banned since then, the topic of what kinds of books should be allowed for students to consume has become a large-scale issue on both sides of the aisle. Due to this, this brief aims to examine the impact that censorship has on students’ expression and identity as well as the ramifications when legislative bodies don’t take diverse perspectives into account when banning or removing books from school libraries.

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Keywords — mental health, race relations, COVID-19, censorship, expression, literary diversity, representation, LGBTQIA+,  BIPOC, inclusion

1. Executive summary

The relationship between book bans and censorship and its effects on student identity has been a long subject of concern. Book bans have come a long way but remain a controversial issue. Many believe that by banning books, children will be less likely to be exposed to certain books such as those that may discuss sexual themes and materials that are not appropriate for their age. Meanwhile, others believe that these bans are a threat to the fundamental rights of freedom of speech and feel like certain minority groups such as BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ are being attacked for their representation in literature. It’s also found that these bans sometimes do not even allow public comment before being pulled off the shelves. Books and their messages can influence students’ mental health and relationship with the world, so it is vital to find a nonpartisan agreement regarding diverse representation in books. This brief will analyze these relationships and perspectives that contribute to the practice of book banning and evaluate how it affects students’ mental health and expression of identity.

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2. Overview

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Pointed Summary

• Book prohibitions and censorship limit the availability of a wide range of literary works in academic environments, prompting worries about freedom of expression, information accessibility, and the mental health of students.
• The tradition of prohibiting books in the United States originated in 1852 when "Uncle Tom’s Cabin" was banned, often mirroring wider societal and governmental issues at the time..
• During the Reagan administration, there was a rise in censorship, specifically aimed at books discussing topics related to race, sexual orientation, and LGBTQ issues. This trend persists today with states such as Florida implementing strict restrictions on content in school libraries.
• Advancements in technology and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic have underscored the importance of inclusive, varied literature to uphold student well-being and advance social diversity and fairness.
• Supporters of book censorship argue that it safeguards minors from unsuitable material and shields them from explicit sexual content and themes considered inappropriate for their age.
• Opponents contend that banning books infringes on the freedom of expression, impacts LGBTQIA+ and BIPOC communities unequally, and restricts opportunities for students to engage with a wide range of perspectives, hindering their intellectual and emotional development.
• In the first half of the 2023-2024 school year, there have been more than 4,000 reported cases of book banning, which is nearly twice as many as the previous year. States like Florida, Texas, and Wisconsin have experienced significant instances of this activity.

1. Relevance

Book bans—the practice of removing books from libraries, schools, or bookstores due to their content—is a highly debated topic in today's world. The practice raises concerns about freedom of expression, access to information, and the impact bans have on the mental well-being of individuals. In a generation of technological convergence, censorship–especially on social networking platforms—is increasingly a problem that can have detrimental implications (Miller and Nolan).

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Issues of mental health and social justice are two of the biggest topics frequenting public discourse (Insel). The COVID-19 pandemic, which occurred just four years ago, has exacerbated mental health challenges, making access to relatable literature even more important. Additionally, political movements advocating for egalitarian societies highlight the need for diverse narratives to promote understanding and empathy.

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Since the invention of the printing press, books have long been a gateway to understanding different experiences and cultures. Banning books that address hard-hitting and “slippery slope” topics can limit exposure to diverse viewpoints, leading to a more close-minded population (Hill). This restriction can stifle intellectual and emotional growth in students, which is more important than ever before, as numerous political movements rise in influence.

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1. Current Stances

Book bans are currently seeing a significant surge in unprecedented levels. According to the American Library Association, over 4,000 instances of book banning have been reported in the first half of the 2023-2024 school year alone - nearly double compared to the previous school year. Data from Pen America reports this trend is significant across both Democrat and Republican school districts throughout 42 states, namely Florida, Texas, and Wisconsin being at the forefront of the trend. These bans have resulted from both legislative actions and grassroots campaigns such as the conservative backed Moms for Liberty.

Opinions on these book bans vary widely amongst different stakeholders. Namely, proponents of book bans, who  manifest as  conservative groups and a couple outspoken  parents, argue that book bans are necessary as a means to protect their children from explicit sexual material or themes which they consider to be unsuitable for young readers. These proponents frame their argument as a way to prevent “liberal indoctrination” through the possibility of Critical Race Theory being exposed to children or “sexual grooming” by LGBTQ+ community.

On the other side, free speech advocates, educators, and many in the literary community oppose book bans, arguing book bans as a threat to freedom of expression and educational diversity. They highlight that many of the targeted books are by LGBTQ+ and POC authors, emphasizing that these bans aren’t an issue of content but an issue of undermining the representation of diverse narratives in the literary sphere. These advocates argue that book bans not only limit access to important literature but also further marginalize already underrepresented communities in literature. This limitation becomes apparent through data within children's books and resources that are formative in developing a child’s understanding of diversity. A paper published by the Quarterly Journal of Economics  finds that in the mainstream collection of children's books published from 1923-2019, only 2% of characters pictured were black and only 4% were LatinX. With this existing lack of diversity within literary content, advocates argue that book bans only serve the purpose of decreasing the representation of backgrounds, especially in the formative years of a child’s development.

This division manifests itself in the political sphere, where legislative actions have further increased the occurrence of book bans. While some support book bans as a part of broader efforts to control educational content and protect children from “indoctrination” by the LGBTQ+ and POC communities, others advocate for comprehensive reforms to protect the freedom of expression, especially the freedom to read. Pen America describes legislation that targets discussions of race, racism, gender, and American history as “Educational Gag Orders”. This legislation works hand in hand with book banning to limit educational freedom of expression within classrooms from educators, writers, and students. These legislative actions manifest themselves throughout states, with data from Pen America showing cumulatively from July 1st, 2021 - December 31st, 2023, there have been over 10,000 instances of book banning across 42 states. Furthermore, the media’s portrayal of book bans and the surrounding discourse has influenced public perception. A key example of this is seen in the framing of the necessity of book bans as morally justified, mainly desensitizing the public to the implications of censorship and further reinforcing harmful stereotypes about the targeted communities. An article from Duke Research Blog explains that social media platforms and online groups act as echo chambers “triggering tidal waves of book challenges”, allowing local news to shift into national discourse as the idea of challenging specific books increases within different school districts.

Overall, addressing the issue of book bans must strike a balance between the protection of children with the need for inclusive and diverse educational content.

2. Tried Policy

 Book bans began in the US in 1852, with the banning of the highly contentious Uncle Tom’s Cabin by the Southern United States. While the books being banned have changed dramatically in the centuries since, the motive remains the same: Silencing and oppressing the voices of those you disagree with. Book banning largely falls on a debate over the meaning of the first amendment, as it doesn’t protect “obscene” speech. The first law passed by Congress was a mere 10 years after the Civil  War, where a law, later referred to as “comstocking” due to its purpose in prohibiting the mailing of pornographic materials, was enacted banning pornographic material. The definitions of “pornographic materials” were never made explicitly clear, and textbooks, doctors pamphlets, and birth control paraphernalia hit the chopping block. By the 1920’s, shifts in political and social atmosphere paved the way for change, and United States v. One Book Entitled Ulysses marked the beginning of a more progressive era in terms of book banning policy, where the banning of the book  Ulysses was undone  and the vague definitions of pornographic materials were clarified to be far less encompassing. Despite this, the practice of “comstocking”, named for the creator of the original law–Anthony Comstock–remained in some capacity until 1957, when  Roth vs. The United States determined that obscene materials could be defined only as “utterly without redeeming social importance.” Essentially, if someone could prove that a book has some social importance, it was protected under the first amendment and as such, a ban would be illegal. This era of relative freedom would last until Reagan’s presidency, where the modern era of book banning begins. 

Reagan was a harbinger of change, dramatically shifting US policy on book banning towards stricter and more inflexible  policies. Reagan was hugely popular with evangelical conservatives, a group that opposes books on race, sexual identity, or LGBTQ topics. The books  targeted were increasingly challenged based on a disagreement  on the premise or content, rather than the earlier bans based on pornographic materials , and  their propensity to be found in school libraries. Those who opposed the messages portrayed by books began to challenge books at the local and state  level, working to prevent children from encountering material they themselves opposed. As book banning isn’t covered by the federal government in today’s legislature, individual states have used the openings created by Reagan’s administration to create large scale book bans, particularly in K-12 education. Typical policy involves a statewide mandate that librarians, school boards, or some other special entity review books that are thought to have inappropriate content, and if that fluctuating, arbitrary standard is found, remove the book from the library or district. While it is hard to ban books altogether throughout a state, banning books for the most impressionable group of Americans, school-age children, has dramatic impacts. In Florida, there are currently laws against lessons on sexuality, racism, and reparations, which has been used to ban books with any message or symbolism on those topics. Five states have policies similar to Florida’s, including Texas, Missouri, Utah, and South Carolina. Another 27 states have more limited policies on banning books, with a few titles or books banned in certain areas but far fewer than the five prolific book-banning states. The other 18 states, the states with zero recorded instances of book banning have by far the simplest policy of all: none. Having no policies on book banning avoids having different books banned, as there is simply no legislation in place to allow for it. With that said, many democratic-leaning states are codifying free speech with regards to books, where they are putting bans on book bans, with Minnesota leading the charge.

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3. Policy Problem

A. Stakeholders

According to the NIH, the most prevalent stakeholders regarding mental health in America can be split into two groups, those impacted by mental health policy (i.e. patients with mental health issues) and those instituting the guidelines (i.e. Centers for Disease Control).

The dichotomy between these two is major, as the lengthy nature of bureaucracy can sometimes have patients feeling as though they aren’t being helped as efficiently as they’d like. The most prevalent stakeholders in book bans include our education system (i.e. teachers, libraries, etc.) and interest groups that may oppose content within books. 

However, recently political tensions regarding diverse topics being taught in schools has increased the amount of people who feel impacted by book bans. Many conservative and evangelical identifying individuals have funded initiatives to increase book bans on books that contrast their beliefs, placing them as monetary stakeholders within the issue. 

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B. Risks of Indifference

The two party system, as currently adopted in the United States, has heightened the focus on many minor issues. The current political climate in the US has become overly influential in our everyday lives and shaping the lives of others. To this extent, many people - predominantly from the right - have taken the initiative to start banning books in elementary and middle schools. However, this ban on books is a censure   of  the fundamental creativity of students and an attack on their learning. This study, understanding the major effects of book bans on students from the Public School Review, highlights the negative effects of book bans on students by exclaiming that book bans are a “detrimental effect on students' educational experience.” Moreover this same study further examines the attack on student’s freedom to learn by stating that students are not able to learn as effectively with a limit to their advancement on different perspectives, critical thinking, and understanding of diverse social issues. 

However, high school and middle school students are not just jeopardized by this attempt to ban books. Since the Confederacy's 19th century  attempt to censor “Uncle Tom’s Cabin” throughout the South , attempts at censoring the works of people of color and other minorities have not stopped. This study from the Teacher’s College at Columbia University, states that- following the record breaking year of 2022, that being an increase in 38 percent for book bans- the majority of book bans have been “written by or about members of the LGBTQ+ community and people of color.” This systemic form of censorship stands in conjunction with the attempts of right-wing individuals to follow “traditional” gender roles and abide by long standing roles in society. To this extent roughly 47% of all books targeted  were written by people of the LGBTQ or BIPOC communities. These ongoing attempts to censor authors from diverse communities, whose individual voices allow for diverse thoughts and ideas, hinders student’s capabilities to discuss with empathy and open-mindedness for all cultures. 

Even so, it is important to understand the other side of the issue. Oftentimes, proponents of book bans claim that these bans are able to protect students from propaganda. To this extent, the proponents of book bans have taken initiative to ban books which aim to  share viewpoints considered more progressive or liberal. These stand in stark contrast to the authors of books from the LGBTQIA+ community whose goal is to share stories to people who might not be familiar with their accounts. Nevertheless, limitations on books are backed by the majority of Americans with roughly 60% of parents believing that they should be notified when their child checks out a book, or they believe that there should be a system implemented which restricts students' access to books based on age. Therefore it is vital to find a middle ground with representation from both sides of the spectrum. 

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C. Nonpartisan Reasoning

Book bans and censorship are the restriction or removal of books due to their content. Originally rooted on moral and ideological objections, such as the early laws against pornographic materials being distributed across the United States, the practice of censoring content  is continued through suppressing the voices of America’s historically marginalized communities. Driven by political and social movements, the debate of book bans and censorship has become extremely polarizing. This contributes to significant implications like challenges to books in our public and school library systems. Protection of our students should not be forgotten, in the process of book bans and censorship, to prevent detrimental effects to their educational experience, development, and mental health. That is why it is essential both sides highlight the shared principles like ensuring high-quality education. Collaboration benefits all parties involved because it is essential in creating balanced, fair, and effective policies.

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4. Policy Options

Resolving the issue of book bans requires a heavy focus on nonpartisanship to ensure that the bias is limited from both sides of the political spectrum. The Supreme Court has always interpreted the First Amendment's protection of expression very broadly and literary content is protected as a freedom of expression. To ensure that literary content continues to be protected, it is vital to enact legislation at the federal level that mandates regulation at the state-level. Essentially these policy options allow for literary content to be protected and discussed before it becomes available in the classroom, therefore eliminating the need for book bans in the first place.

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A. Implementation of Federal Legislation Protecting Literary Content as Freedom of Expression 

Although literary content, such as books, is widely recognized as a freedom protected by the First Amendment, there aren’t many structural bills that enshrine that right comprehensively. So, this policy option focuses on creating an overhead legislation that enshrines the protection of literary content in educational settings as a matter of freedom of expression.  The bill would first define the range of literary content, which includes books, digital media, and other educational materials, as well as the exemptions, such as content that is obscene or hateful expression. The bill would focus on the educators, not the general public. This restricted process would ensure that the books are judged by a committee of educated individuals who actually interact with them everyday in the classroom. The designated federal agency would be the Department of Education to oversee implementation and compliance at the state-level. The next few steps would be to develop clear guidelines for training licensed educators on how to handle compliance issues from the public. To protect existing literary content, there would be an official database with regular reporting requirement for any establishments (ie. schools and libraries) that housed a large collection of books for public usage. The bill would also allocate the financial impact for supporting infrastructure. Federal funding would be available to support the purchase and maintenance of diverse literary materials and training programs, as well as support local campaigns to educate the public about literary freedom and why book bans are unconstitutional, if the book being banned doesn’t meet the proper criteria. The last step is to allow room for regular assessments and maintenance of the impact on public places with a large supply of books. The feedback collected from the public is to identify legitimate issues with the law and update as necessary. A comprehensive bill is the best way to create federal borders to prevent book bans while also delegating responsibility onto the educators themselves.

B. Implement Requirements of Inclusive Curriculum and Age Designations At State-Level

This policy option focuses on setting guidelines facilitated by the Department of Education to mandate inclusive curriculum that incorporates diverse literary content. States will develop guidelines regarding the expression of literary content, ensuring a more inclusive educational environment. States and school districts will have the ability to tailor age-appropriate ratings for books using the Department of Education’s framework, but will not be allowed to ban books under the protection of freedom of literary content as freedom of expression. To mitigate conflicts regarding the challenges of books for unsuitable themes, the policy requires the designation of challenged books within specific age ratings, with the approval of the Department of Education, to ensure that books aren’t challenged to undermine representation of diverse narratives. Through this process, any conflicts regarding the challenging of books will be mitigated through the requirement of designating any challenged books within specific ratings, with the approval of the Department of Education. Additionally, to ensure comprehensive literacy education for students, districts must include books and materials that offer multiple perspectives throughout education. The State Department of Education will have jurisdiction over the monitoring of implementation of inclusive curriculum, allowing for flexibility to individualize curriculum for school districts based upon the values of its constituency. As availability and usage data is collected via the State department of Educations, adjustments and improvements will be made by the Department of Education to ensure each school district and state upholds values of freedom of expression while balancing literary safety based on age levels.

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While book bans increase in the United States school libraries, legislative entities that ban or remove books do not consider diverse perspectives, nor the importance of literature to student’s mental health, identity, and expression. The lack of access to a wide variety of literary works in educational environments due to book bans and censorship raises concerns regarding students' mental health, freedom of speech, and information accessibility. The practice of censoring content was first motivated by ideological objections, as seen by the early legislation against pornographic materials distribution in the United States. However, nowadays this practice is continued through suppressing the voices of America's historically marginalized communities since nearly 40% of book bans included people from the LGBTQIA+ community and people of color. On the other hand, many legislators address the issue of book banning as a productive way to protect children from content that is not appropriate for consumption during childhood.

Overall, it is important to find ways of balancing access to age-appropriate books and the necessity of inclusive educational content, aiming to stop silencing and oppressing voices from non-white and LGBTQ+ communities. Resolving the issue of book bans demands a strong emphasis on nonpartisanship, to guarantee that the bias is limited from all sides of the political spectrum, and on enacting legislation at the federal level, directly influencing state-level regulations. As one of the current common topics discussed in the United States, book bans and their impacts on student’s mental health, identity, and expression require immediate policy solutions. These solutions would include creating legislation that exalts protection of literary content in academic settings as a matter of including different perspectives, setting guidelines by the Department of Education for inclusive curriculums, and ensuring that schools from all districts value freedom of expression while maintaining age-based literary safety.

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