With all the news recently that schools are creating programs to allow parents to opt out of their children reading certain books and even removing books all together, it seems like it’s huge deal. Every news article covering it seems to present it like all the parents in various states are choosing to opt out and supporting this new push.
But is that actually true? How many parents are actually choosing to do this?
According to a recent article by BookRiot, the numbers are far lower than the media is making it out to be (shocker there!). In Flagler County, one of the battle ground areas for the book issue, the numbers are as low as .15% of parents choosing to opt out of books. In Osceola County, the number is .46% opt out. In Polk County, it is .14%. Those numbers are pretty darn low!
This is less than 1% of students.
In other areas, schools are requiring parents to sign documents to allow their children the right to borrow books. Oh great, another form for these very busy parents to remember to sign. In one instance, only 23% of parents have signed so far. But does this mean the other 77% of parents don’t want their children to read? Or do they not know they need to sign? Or maybe they just forgot!
So what does this actually mean then?
🚫Book Censors/”Parents Rights” Groups, and others, DO NOT SPEAK FOR THE MAJORITY!🚫
These numbers, while they are only in a few counties and only focusing in one state, so far are a decent thing to work with to counter the current narrative. These numbers do not display that the majority, by any meaning of that word, is supporting or enrolling in these bans or restrictions. While in some other states, the numbers may be different and they certainly may change as we get into the school year, as of now there is still hope!
Unfortunately, like in many other cases, the media is talking a lot about what one controversial group is saying but not necessarily looking at, or even gathering, what the real numbers are and what other people are saying.
The loudest person speaking is not necessarily right. Nor do they speak for the people.
The people, in some districts of Florida, have clearly spoken and this is visible in the numbers. Not many parents are engaging in this. Which is fantastic!
So do the bans matter then?
Of course they do. There are still going to be children who are missing out on books. There will be children possibly lost when people mention these books. There may be arguments in the home with children not understanding what is going on. They may be bullied. The possibilities are absolutely endless with.
We live in the 21st century, at a time with access to more knowledge than ever – albeit there is also a lot of mis- and disinformation but there is a lot of amazing things out there.
With such a small percentage, actually not even a percent, being restricted from getting books, they will still hear about the books from others. They may get curious and research it. Who knows. Tell a kid not to do something, they darn well are going to.
But at the heart of this so far as the new school year begins, there are not many parents agreeing with, or to, these restrictions which is a good thing. A very good thing indeed.
So when you talk about this topic, or it comes up and people talk about how the country is falling apart (which isn’t entire wrong but at least not with this topic so far), make sure to note how low the numbers are actually. <1%!
Happy Reading! And fight on! 💪
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Each parent has every right to ask a teacher not to assign a book to their child. They have every right to make that decision for their own child. Not for other children and other families.
