“All children have to be deceived if they are to grow up without trauma” -Kazuo Ishiguro, Never Let Me Go
Do you agree with Ishiguro? Which is more traumatic, being deceived as a child and learning about it later? Or not being deceived, and dealing with some harsh realities about the world at a very young age?
With this in mind, should we make writers edit their topics and scenes to protect kids from trauma?
–leHab
The Haberdasher 
I disagree. I think that it is important for children to experience a few harsh truths. Huckleberry Finn and Anne Frank’s writing don’t hold the same weight if the powerful and intense scenes that can resonate with kids are cut. Also, books are a great place for children to expose themselves to the unknown and the complexities of the world. They can read about war and intolerance and be free to shape their own views on the subject without living through it firsthand.
I think that it is worse to be deceived and then learn about it later. If someone thought that nothing bad ever happens out in the world, and then they witness a tragic event that rocks them to their core; I think that is harder to come back from that.
Posted by Chloe Butcher | March 28, 2014, 6:00 pm