Adults Quote by Felix Frankfurter
“The State insists that, by thus quarantining the general reading public against books not too rugged for grown men and women in order to shield juvenile innocence, it is exercising its power to promote the general welfare. Surely this is to burn the house to roast the pig...The incidence of this enactment is to reduce the adult population of Michigan to reading only what is fit for children.”
About This Quote
Censorship under the guise of protecting youth can serve political aims, restricting adult access to diverse ideas.
In simple terms: Protecting kids can be a pretext for limiting adult reading.
Key Takeaway
Censorship masks power motives.
Themes
censorship
politics
freedom
literature
Mood
critical
cautious
Type
political
cautionary
When to use this quote
- school library book bans
- government media restrictions
- online content filters
Key Concepts
state control
moral panic
Practical Applications
- Advocate for transparent content guidelines
- Promote adult access to varied literature
Questions to Reflect On
- When does protection become oppression?
- Who decides what is appropriate for adults?
A Different Perspective
Not all content restrictions are politically motivated; some aim at genuine child protection.
![“He [an earnest young reporter] seemed to share the view of many intelligent, well-educated, well-meaning people that, while adult literature may aim to be art, the object of children's books is to whip the little rascals into shape.” quote by Katherine Paterson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/2cf/katherine-paterson-2365_adults_he-an-earnest-young-reporter-seemed-to-s_6101.jpg)
