Get Premium
Dark mode theme is available exclusively for premium users. Learn more about the benefits of subscribing.
No fees, cancel anytime.
Dark Mode 
No fees, cancel anytime 
then open in external browser
and click "Open in External Browser" 
3
Stepmom Tries To Censor What 16YO Reads, He Decides Not To Visit His Dad Anymore
Interview With ExpertAmerican children aren’t as interested in books and magazines as they used to be. In recent years, only 17% of thirteen-year-olds have reported reading for fun almost every day, roughly half the share (35%) who said this in 1984. Among seventeen-year-olds, this number has shrunk during the same period from 31% to 19%.
Reddit user Ganmedddie belongs to that dwindling minority. However, his love for the written word recently became a source of conflict. After he reconnected with his estranged father, he brought a novel on one of his visits, but his dad’s wife took issue with it because of the protagonist’s sexual orientation.
RELATED:
After a period of no contact, this boy reconnected with his father
Image credits: pvproductions (not the actual image)
Only to fall out again over his reading choices
Image credits: peoplecreations (not the actual image)
Image credits: Florencia Viadana (not the actual image)
Image credits: Ganmedddie
Vicki Broadbent of Honest Mum says reading helps kids with every subject—not just English—and provides relief from the online world
Image credits: Dreamy Fox Photography
To learn more about the ways parents can encourage a love of reading in their kids, we got in touch with Vicki Broadbent. She is the founder of the family blog Honest Mum and a multi-award-winning TV director and broadcaster who has released a book of her own—The Working Mom: Your Guide to Surviving and Thriving at Work and at Home.
“Reading is such a wonderful skill to develop, not only for literacy but also for imagination and creativity,” the mom-of-three told Bored Panda. “It expands the mind and allows the reader to travel over time, geography, and space and into the minds of others. I have incorporated a 20-minute daily reading practice with my children, and we often visit the library too to take out fiction and nonfiction books.”
Vicki herself isn’t a fan of censorship and believes it’s not helpful, “unless the book might be harmful (encouraging violence, etc).”
“If the subject matter does not fit your own values and beliefs, that’s not a good enough reason in my ‘book’ (pun intended) to ban something. If it’s been published for teens and your child is interested in the topic and it is age-appropriate, I think that the teen should have the freedom to read what they wish!
“We as parents are here to guide, care, and keep our children safe but censorship never works as it makes anything censored more exciting and it can be unfair on the child who is seeking alternative viewpoints,” Broadbent added.
Out of all the content that their teens consume, literature might not be the one parents should worry about in particular
In 2023, United States Surgeon General Vivek Murthy, MD, MBA, released an advisory called Social Media and Youth Mental Health, in which he says there is growing evidence that social media is causing harm to young people’s mental health. Shortly after, the American Psychological Association issued its own health advisory. A year later, Dr. Murthy called for a surgeon general’s warning label on social media platforms, which would require an act of Congress to implement.
But, as Vicki Broadbent pointed out, literature is different.
For example, Stetson University psychologist Christopher Ferguson says research does suggest that parents can take it easy when it comes to what their kids are reading.
If a kid wants to read at all, he believes, “it’s so remarkable that you don’t want to be a roadblock.
“People’s fear of fictional media is greater than the actual threat, and parents often worry that kids will read and imitate, but I don’t think there is any good evidence for that.”
Simply put, reading ‘Divergent‘ is not going to cause violent behavior, and reading ‘Twilight‘ is not going to make someone date a vampire.
Ferguson conducted a study in one Texas city, examining whether reading banned books was associated with behavioral problems in adolescents. The answer in that group was no, with the exception of a small subset of kids — mostly girls — who may have been struggling already.
“Some kids who already have mental health issues may be particularly drawn to certain kinds of edgy books,” the psychologist explains.
He advises parents to check in with their teens to determine whether they’re depressed or anxious and to ask why they’re drawn to the books they’re reading. In such cases, he says it’s likely that “the problem is not the book, but something preexisting.”
Image credits: EyeEm (not the actual image)
Most of those who read about what happened, said the boy did nothing wrong
But some said he could’ve been kinder
Poll Question
Total votes ·
Thanks! Check out the results:
Total votes ·
Newsletter
Subscribe to Access
Exclusive Polls
By entering your email and clicking Subscribe, you're agreeing to let us send you customized marketing messages about us and our advertising partners. You are also agreeing to our Privacy Policy.
Thank you! You've successfully subscribed to newsletters!
What do you think ?
Tamra 9 months ago (edited)
A book featuring a LGBTQ character isn't "pushing LGBT stuff". If you are threatened by a fictional story with a gay character, the problem is with you. In addition, this father has a lot to make up for with his child. He might want to consider actually putting his child first.
Lady Eowyn 9 months ago
The wife wanted him not to read the books anywhere, as dad admitted, put the final straw into place. There was no relationship, the dad abandoned him and married someone half his age. OP is right to stay NC with dad and his s****y wife.
Carrie de Luka 9 months ago
"New parental figure"... Nope. She could have chosen to be a friendly figure. She can have rules in her home that relate to how someone might behave while in that home (but not what they read unless obscene) but she doesn't get to 'parent' a 16 year old unless said 16 year old wants it. This 16 year old sounds like he has a perfectly good mother who is capable of setting rules, boundaries etc. He's got a mind of his own, sounds reasonable and intelligent. He might have liked a useful, supportive father but he hasn't got one of those and he doesn't need to add a book-banning bigot into the mix.
Dilly Millandry 9 months ago
I read things I supposedly shouldn't when about 16. Can't say I have a scarred mind from it! Though this book isn't even in that category, it's age appropriate and absolutely fine. Wife is a bigot. He's also 16, not 6. Old enough to decide. She can get in the bin, so can his dad for siding with her without any logical reason.
Nikole 8 months ago (edited)
I read Anne Rice’s The Witching Hour when I was in 8th grade (13) along with The Exorcist. My parents didn’t censor what I read and we’re all intelligent, well-rounded people.
Load More Replies... Jacob B 9 months ago
Imagine losing contact with your child just because your wife had a s**t take about a Rick Riordan book. I read The Trials of Apollo. Sure, there's a gay side character (Nico, son of Hades) but there's absolutely no agenda there. He doesn't even show up that often. Gay people exist, deal with it.
Bethboo 9 months ago
Lol I read the Naked Lunch by William Burroughs when I was around 15/16, which I borrowed off my dad as he was a big fan. Neither of us are gay by the way either, not that it matters, but just that we weren't influenced by any books. I'm from the UK if it makes any difference and was not brought up with religion - thank f**K
Crystalwitch60 9 months ago
I’m in uk to n yup religion sucks don’t it all fitction all done to control people I,ll stick to being a Wiccan lol it’s safer 😂
Load More Replies...
StarCrossedFriday 9 months ago
Why are some people so threatened by others’ choice of reading/viewing material? What does it matter? Books featuring LGBTQ characters aren’t viruses, no matter what the average MAGA seems to think. For a group that keeps yelling about the erosion of free speech and personal freedom, they’re oddly hypocritical.
Remi (He/Him) 8 months ago
The orange one is telling us military to censor Enola Gay the airplane, because it has gay in the name. Also you can't mention: gender of examined fish, climate change, Tuskegee airmen, or so many other things. I'm just left wondering how that can be legal in any way. One thing it's certainly is batshit crazy.
Load More Replies...
Nils Skirnir 9 months ago
Stepparents, especially ones who don’t adopt the child and are non-custodial, should keep their mouths closed. The very best they can hope for (and should hope for) is friendship.
Crystalwitch60 9 months ago
As a 60 yr old woman that’s been a step mum three times since I was 18 ! I fully agree unless there is no mother around and the kids live with you even then unless they want you to be mum your not so accept it and go with it at their pace makes for a better relationship all round
Load More Replies...
Aline 9 months ago
It always amazes me that anyone can think reading about queer characters can somehow push people to be gay, when 99% is characters are straight presenting and gay people don't cease to exist. It's like people who have so little faith in their religion that they fear their kids being exposed to opposing views. If your way is so compelling, do you think a novel is going to sway your kids?
Gardener of Weeden 9 months ago
I "exposed" my kid to many religions ( books) ... and she turned Atheist - LOL. Can't say I blame her though. She is a great person and I am proud of her.
Load More Replies...
For All Pedernity 8 months ago
Americans and their 'age appropriate' approach to everything... Give the kids guns at the age of eight, but God help us all if they learn about common aspects of other people's lives at an early age.
Lupita Nyong'heaux 8 months ago
i was reading harlequin romance novels at age 9-10, graduated to the real bodice-rippers by 12, moved to stephen king and peter straub by 13. so, i'm having a hard time with susie-come-lately tryna dictate what a 16yo reads. *insert eye roll here*
Sarah Belt 8 months ago
Heck, I was WRITING fanfic at that age that was way worse than any book on the MAGA ban list.
Load More Replies... Secret Squirrel 9 months ago
So ridiculous that she's concerned over books about Greek gods that (of course) touch on queer themes, when OP is sixteen and goes freely out into the world where there LGBTQ+ people. If you are trying to Truman show someone you have to do better than discourage fantasy novels. Bigots are wild how they fail at logic on every single level. Sign their address up with every religious cult that will send salesmen and go no contact.
Aline 9 months ago
I love this idea, but worry she'd make friends. Better to get her on mailing lists that would challenge her - sign up to support campaigns and candidates that she would object to and use their address. They sell you info on and it's impossible to stop the pamphlets etc.
Load More Replies... FreeTheUnicorn 9 months ago
Good for him for getting sober, sorry he's become a bigot/accepting of bigotry. OP has done the right thing, asked for clarification and understood where he's coming from, then made the best choice for himself. Don't trust people who would ban books over discussing and debating the ideas with reason and empathy.
Beak Hookage 8 months ago
As Peter the Happy Ducky would say, "splish, splash, your stepmom is trash." 61z60xkoif...45cc7d.jpg 
Kit Black 9 months ago (edited)
~Dad~ Despite the fact that I have not bothered to be a parent to you at all, now that I think I have my act together. I want you to humor my new wife in her homophobic attitudes, so that she can be a new parent to you! Yeeesh...Do they ever listen to themselves when they say things like this?!?
and_a_touch_of_the_’tism 9 months ago
I was reading stuff way worse at that age. Hell, The Color Purple and Beloved were both books I read for SCHOOL around then and they both have abuse, s*x, r**e, etc
Orysha 8 months ago
Aren't hey all banned in the Us schools now (which is totally stupid)?
Load More Replies...
Joe Reaves 9 months ago
At this point, with parental rights severed and only just coming back into his son's life, even dad hasn't earnt the right to try and control what the kid reads, let alone a woman he doesn't know and who was 12 years old when he was born. And her concern isn't even because he's reading books that may be inappropriate for his age range (which at 16 is probably none of them anyway) but because there are LGBTQAI+ characters. She's just a bigot.
Joe Publique 8 months ago
There has never been a time in history when people who tried to ban books were the good guys.
Janissary35680 8 months ago
"She would become a new parental figure." "I'm 16, dad. The training wheels came off a while ago. I've got a parental figure and don't need a "new" one."
Dragons Exist 8 months ago
Oh no, Apollo (a Greek god) is the protagonist of a book about Greek mythology (which thus mentions his past mythological relationships), clearly that's the book we should be worried about (/s)
tori Ohno 8 months ago
What's so she inappropriate about Sarah J Maas for a 16 year old? I read the whole series and it's not inappropriate at all.
Sarah Belt 8 months ago
Honestly, the only "kids" book I ever read that I found inappropriate was the Xanth series. Yikes, was that guy a misogynist.
Load More Replies...
KatSaidWhat 9 months ago
YTA didn't get the update about it not just being at his house, it's not allowed anywhere. So nope, OP definitely NTA.
Tim V 8 months ago
As someone who was reading Edgar Rice Burroughs, Louis Lamour and other 'adult' book at six years old, I say keep reading what you want. I read a LOT of 'age inappropriate' books growing up. L'mort D'Arthur, most of the Arthurian legends for that matter. And making it a rule no matter where you are? Just who does he think he is? How does he propose to enforce that rule? Nah....read what you want
BrownEyedPanda 8 months ago
What an excellent way to torpedo a father-son relationship before it even leaves the dock. /s Someone should inform that toxic trio that their authority ends with their property line. You can't completely censor the reading choices of a 16-year-old. OP has evaluated the situation most maturely and decided that renewing a relationship with a negligent s***m donor married to a meddlesome brat isn't worth the stress. Good for him. NTA.
The_Nicest_Misanthrope 8 months ago (edited)
"She's only a homophobe because she wants what's best for you" 🙄
Mark Childers 8 months ago
They should have been thrilled that the kid was reading at all. It seems like a lost art these days. I even knew adults who admitted to never reading a book. People who are homophobic have never met an LGTBQ+ person. If they did, they would realize that they are the same as everyone else except possibly a little kinder because they have been victims of so much bullying. The stepmom seems very bigoted and not very bright. I wonder if she's ever read a book.
liam newton-harding 8 months ago
All those little old ladies, reading every Agatha Christie book, selfishly refusing to solve crimes…all those Chads reading Action Adventures, refusing to talk to an actual Femme Fatale…All those arm chair warriors reading Tom Clancy, selfishly refusing to join the Marines, block terrorist plots…What’s that? Reading a book DOESN’T give you the characteristics of the protagonist?…Are you sure?…Self hating closeted gays, who loudly proclaim that gay people are evil certainly seem to have convinced themselves that it does!
Alexandra 9 months ago
Dad's wife is just that: dad's wife. She is not a mother and not a parent and therefore can ask OP not to read those books in her house, but she can't ask him not to read those books anywhere else nor can she require him to do what she asks if he's not in her house. OP has a mother already and dad's wife should back the hell off.
sharyn turnicky 8 months ago
I grew up with parents who were way before their time. Literature was never forbidden. A request to postpone reading for a later time happened from time to time. Open discussions were the norm at our supper table. Asking a question was not met with "why do you want to know", it was answered to fit the age of questioner. Keep in mind I am 79.
Tom De Paul 7 months ago
The very definition of overreaching. You would think dad knew he was on thin ice and would act accordingly. Evidently not. Now he doesn't have a son. Done. Next.
rv branham 8 months ago
go back with 3 of those doorstopper volumes of de sade... telling a literate teenager what they should or absolutely should not read is a recipé for failure...at best. also, a guarantee to lose their respect if you act like some sort of moral cop.
StumblingThroughLife 8 months ago (edited)
I found Lord of the Flies traumatic at 12yrs, so I'm guessing her behaviour is purely bigotry. The fact that Govts, etc are still banning books, too, is just as bad. I'm also sad to hear the intro, on how book-reading is dropping. They are the perfect tools for learning even more about whatever language you have in your Country, and even others, and also broaden your knowledge. Saying that, my son rarely reads a book (unless it's refreshers/updates, re: his career) since College, but he does eat up Documentaries/History/Wildlife, etc on TV/Devices, and repeats the info flawlessly even days after watching. I also don't believe we should denigrate peeps who don't like reading books. :-)
Lee Gilliland 8 months ago
Any law that is not enforced weakens all other laws. And she can't enforce her dictate on what you may or may not read if you're not there. What a *silly* stepmother and her "rules".
Tonyah Mcanelly 8 months ago
At least he is reading and not out causing chaos . I am a step mom of three boys. I would never deter them from reading I encourage it . They love their video games. They buy books and magazines on how to navigate something in the game they are playing . I am just excited they read. Even step parents have boundaries, more so than biological parents.
Gardener of Weeden 9 months ago
My kid read/ watch somethings I did not agree with ( violence) Depending on her age I just told her why I did not agree with it, and asked her to talk to me about the book/movie when she was done with it so I could understand her point of view. When she was little I did put my foot down and forbade many things ( when she went behind my back at a friends house - she regretted it ( as she told me 20yrs later - she hates horror movies and Chucky at 8 yrs old was too much)
Historyherstory (old guy) 8 months ago
I'd hope they all get therapy. This type of close mindedness creates gulfs, not bridges. Also, i would hope mom and dad could create a cohesive plan versus countering each other thereby placing a child in a adult situation of picking parents. Unhealthy and counterproductive. Imo.
Dilly Millandry 8 months ago
OPs 16, an adolescent. He can, and has, picked his parent already.
Load More Replies... Crystalwitch60 9 months ago
Dear god what a s***k that one is she’s banning him reading a book cos the bible says it’s bad 🙈she does know the bible is the biggest work of fiction ever written RIGHT 🤷♀️like it’s not real lmao n that’s coming from a 60 yr old white witch ! god does not care what you read a person as don’t exist can’t care sheesh ! And as for her also trying to ban you reading it at your mums house n school to WTF she is a full on lunatic lol ,stick to your guns op my kids are 23-20 n honestly there is nothing remotely wrong with those books lol n we,ve seen the films one thinks that homophobic s***k needs to get over herself 🤦♀️😂
Tamra 9 months ago (edited)
A book featuring a LGBTQ character isn't "pushing LGBT stuff". If you are threatened by a fictional story with a gay character, the problem is with you. In addition, this father has a lot to make up for with his child. He might want to consider actually putting his child first.
Lady Eowyn 9 months ago
The wife wanted him not to read the books anywhere, as dad admitted, put the final straw into place. There was no relationship, the dad abandoned him and married someone half his age. OP is right to stay NC with dad and his s****y wife.
Carrie de Luka 9 months ago
"New parental figure"... Nope. She could have chosen to be a friendly figure. She can have rules in her home that relate to how someone might behave while in that home (but not what they read unless obscene) but she doesn't get to 'parent' a 16 year old unless said 16 year old wants it. This 16 year old sounds like he has a perfectly good mother who is capable of setting rules, boundaries etc. He's got a mind of his own, sounds reasonable and intelligent. He might have liked a useful, supportive father but he hasn't got one of those and he doesn't need to add a book-banning bigot into the mix.
Dilly Millandry 9 months ago
I read things I supposedly shouldn't when about 16. Can't say I have a scarred mind from it! Though this book isn't even in that category, it's age appropriate and absolutely fine. Wife is a bigot. He's also 16, not 6. Old enough to decide. She can get in the bin, so can his dad for siding with her without any logical reason.
Nikole 8 months ago (edited)
I read Anne Rice’s The Witching Hour when I was in 8th grade (13) along with The Exorcist. My parents didn’t censor what I read and we’re all intelligent, well-rounded people.
Load More Replies... Jacob B 9 months ago
Imagine losing contact with your child just because your wife had a s**t take about a Rick Riordan book. I read The Trials of Apollo. Sure, there's a gay side character (Nico, son of Hades) but there's absolutely no agenda there. He doesn't even show up that often. Gay people exist, deal with it.
Bethboo 9 months ago
Lol I read the Naked Lunch by William Burroughs when I was around 15/16, which I borrowed off my dad as he was a big fan. Neither of us are gay by the way either, not that it matters, but just that we weren't influenced by any books. I'm from the UK if it makes any difference and was not brought up with religion - thank f**K
Crystalwitch60 9 months ago
I’m in uk to n yup religion sucks don’t it all fitction all done to control people I,ll stick to being a Wiccan lol it’s safer 😂
Load More Replies... StarCrossedFriday 9 months ago
Why are some people so threatened by others’ choice of reading/viewing material? What does it matter? Books featuring LGBTQ characters aren’t viruses, no matter what the average MAGA seems to think. For a group that keeps yelling about the erosion of free speech and personal freedom, they’re oddly hypocritical.
Remi (He/Him) 8 months ago
The orange one is telling us military to censor Enola Gay the airplane, because it has gay in the name. Also you can't mention: gender of examined fish, climate change, Tuskegee airmen, or so many other things. I'm just left wondering how that can be legal in any way. One thing it's certainly is batshit crazy.
Load More Replies... Nils Skirnir 9 months ago
Stepparents, especially ones who don’t adopt the child and are non-custodial, should keep their mouths closed. The very best they can hope for (and should hope for) is friendship.
Crystalwitch60 9 months ago
As a 60 yr old woman that’s been a step mum three times since I was 18 ! I fully agree unless there is no mother around and the kids live with you even then unless they want you to be mum your not so accept it and go with it at their pace makes for a better relationship all round
Load More Replies... Aline 9 months ago
It always amazes me that anyone can think reading about queer characters can somehow push people to be gay, when 99% is characters are straight presenting and gay people don't cease to exist. It's like people who have so little faith in their religion that they fear their kids being exposed to opposing views. If your way is so compelling, do you think a novel is going to sway your kids?
Gardener of Weeden 9 months ago
I "exposed" my kid to many religions ( books) ... and she turned Atheist - LOL. Can't say I blame her though. She is a great person and I am proud of her.
Load More Replies... For All Pedernity 8 months ago
Americans and their 'age appropriate' approach to everything... Give the kids guns at the age of eight, but God help us all if they learn about common aspects of other people's lives at an early age.
Lupita Nyong'heaux 8 months ago
i was reading harlequin romance novels at age 9-10, graduated to the real bodice-rippers by 12, moved to stephen king and peter straub by 13. so, i'm having a hard time with susie-come-lately tryna dictate what a 16yo reads. *insert eye roll here*
Sarah Belt 8 months ago
Heck, I was WRITING fanfic at that age that was way worse than any book on the MAGA ban list.
Load More Replies... Secret Squirrel 9 months ago
So ridiculous that she's concerned over books about Greek gods that (of course) touch on queer themes, when OP is sixteen and goes freely out into the world where there LGBTQ+ people. If you are trying to Truman show someone you have to do better than discourage fantasy novels. Bigots are wild how they fail at logic on every single level. Sign their address up with every religious cult that will send salesmen and go no contact.
Aline 9 months ago
I love this idea, but worry she'd make friends. Better to get her on mailing lists that would challenge her - sign up to support campaigns and candidates that she would object to and use their address. They sell you info on and it's impossible to stop the pamphlets etc.
Load More Replies... FreeTheUnicorn 9 months ago
Good for him for getting sober, sorry he's become a bigot/accepting of bigotry. OP has done the right thing, asked for clarification and understood where he's coming from, then made the best choice for himself. Don't trust people who would ban books over discussing and debating the ideas with reason and empathy.
Beak Hookage 8 months ago
As Peter the Happy Ducky would say, "splish, splash, your stepmom is trash." 61z60xkoif...45cc7d.jpg
Kit Black 9 months ago (edited)
~Dad~ Despite the fact that I have not bothered to be a parent to you at all, now that I think I have my act together. I want you to humor my new wife in her homophobic attitudes, so that she can be a new parent to you! Yeeesh...Do they ever listen to themselves when they say things like this?!?
and_a_touch_of_the_’tism 9 months ago
I was reading stuff way worse at that age. Hell, The Color Purple and Beloved were both books I read for SCHOOL around then and they both have abuse, s*x, r**e, etc
Orysha 8 months ago
Aren't hey all banned in the Us schools now (which is totally stupid)?
Load More Replies... Joe Reaves 9 months ago
At this point, with parental rights severed and only just coming back into his son's life, even dad hasn't earnt the right to try and control what the kid reads, let alone a woman he doesn't know and who was 12 years old when he was born. And her concern isn't even because he's reading books that may be inappropriate for his age range (which at 16 is probably none of them anyway) but because there are LGBTQAI+ characters. She's just a bigot.
Joe Publique 8 months ago
There has never been a time in history when people who tried to ban books were the good guys.
Janissary35680 8 months ago
"She would become a new parental figure." "I'm 16, dad. The training wheels came off a while ago. I've got a parental figure and don't need a "new" one."
Dragons Exist 8 months ago
Oh no, Apollo (a Greek god) is the protagonist of a book about Greek mythology (which thus mentions his past mythological relationships), clearly that's the book we should be worried about (/s)
tori Ohno 8 months ago
What's so she inappropriate about Sarah J Maas for a 16 year old? I read the whole series and it's not inappropriate at all.
Sarah Belt 8 months ago
Honestly, the only "kids" book I ever read that I found inappropriate was the Xanth series. Yikes, was that guy a misogynist.
Load More Replies... KatSaidWhat 9 months ago
YTA didn't get the update about it not just being at his house, it's not allowed anywhere. So nope, OP definitely NTA.
Tim V 8 months ago
As someone who was reading Edgar Rice Burroughs, Louis Lamour and other 'adult' book at six years old, I say keep reading what you want. I read a LOT of 'age inappropriate' books growing up. L'mort D'Arthur, most of the Arthurian legends for that matter. And making it a rule no matter where you are? Just who does he think he is? How does he propose to enforce that rule? Nah....read what you want
BrownEyedPanda 8 months ago
What an excellent way to torpedo a father-son relationship before it even leaves the dock. /s Someone should inform that toxic trio that their authority ends with their property line. You can't completely censor the reading choices of a 16-year-old. OP has evaluated the situation most maturely and decided that renewing a relationship with a negligent s***m donor married to a meddlesome brat isn't worth the stress. Good for him. NTA.
The_Nicest_Misanthrope 8 months ago (edited)
"She's only a homophobe because she wants what's best for you" 🙄
Mark Childers 8 months ago
They should have been thrilled that the kid was reading at all. It seems like a lost art these days. I even knew adults who admitted to never reading a book. People who are homophobic have never met an LGTBQ+ person. If they did, they would realize that they are the same as everyone else except possibly a little kinder because they have been victims of so much bullying. The stepmom seems very bigoted and not very bright. I wonder if she's ever read a book.
liam newton-harding 8 months ago
All those little old ladies, reading every Agatha Christie book, selfishly refusing to solve crimes…all those Chads reading Action Adventures, refusing to talk to an actual Femme Fatale…All those arm chair warriors reading Tom Clancy, selfishly refusing to join the Marines, block terrorist plots…What’s that? Reading a book DOESN’T give you the characteristics of the protagonist?…Are you sure?…Self hating closeted gays, who loudly proclaim that gay people are evil certainly seem to have convinced themselves that it does!
Alexandra 9 months ago
Dad's wife is just that: dad's wife. She is not a mother and not a parent and therefore can ask OP not to read those books in her house, but she can't ask him not to read those books anywhere else nor can she require him to do what she asks if he's not in her house. OP has a mother already and dad's wife should back the hell off.
sharyn turnicky 8 months ago
I grew up with parents who were way before their time. Literature was never forbidden. A request to postpone reading for a later time happened from time to time. Open discussions were the norm at our supper table. Asking a question was not met with "why do you want to know", it was answered to fit the age of questioner. Keep in mind I am 79.
Tom De Paul 7 months ago
The very definition of overreaching. You would think dad knew he was on thin ice and would act accordingly. Evidently not. Now he doesn't have a son. Done. Next.
rv branham 8 months ago
go back with 3 of those doorstopper volumes of de sade... telling a literate teenager what they should or absolutely should not read is a recipé for failure...at best. also, a guarantee to lose their respect if you act like some sort of moral cop.
StumblingThroughLife 8 months ago (edited)
I found Lord of the Flies traumatic at 12yrs, so I'm guessing her behaviour is purely bigotry. The fact that Govts, etc are still banning books, too, is just as bad. I'm also sad to hear the intro, on how book-reading is dropping. They are the perfect tools for learning even more about whatever language you have in your Country, and even others, and also broaden your knowledge. Saying that, my son rarely reads a book (unless it's refreshers/updates, re: his career) since College, but he does eat up Documentaries/History/Wildlife, etc on TV/Devices, and repeats the info flawlessly even days after watching. I also don't believe we should denigrate peeps who don't like reading books. :-)
Lee Gilliland 8 months ago
Any law that is not enforced weakens all other laws. And she can't enforce her dictate on what you may or may not read if you're not there. What a *silly* stepmother and her "rules".
Tonyah Mcanelly 8 months ago
At least he is reading and not out causing chaos . I am a step mom of three boys. I would never deter them from reading I encourage it . They love their video games. They buy books and magazines on how to navigate something in the game they are playing . I am just excited they read. Even step parents have boundaries, more so than biological parents.
Gardener of Weeden 9 months ago
My kid read/ watch somethings I did not agree with ( violence) Depending on her age I just told her why I did not agree with it, and asked her to talk to me about the book/movie when she was done with it so I could understand her point of view. When she was little I did put my foot down and forbade many things ( when she went behind my back at a friends house - she regretted it ( as she told me 20yrs later - she hates horror movies and Chucky at 8 yrs old was too much)
Historyherstory (old guy) 8 months ago
I'd hope they all get therapy. This type of close mindedness creates gulfs, not bridges. Also, i would hope mom and dad could create a cohesive plan versus countering each other thereby placing a child in a adult situation of picking parents. Unhealthy and counterproductive. Imo.
Dilly Millandry 8 months ago
OPs 16, an adolescent. He can, and has, picked his parent already.
Load More Replies... Crystalwitch60 9 months ago
Dear god what a s***k that one is she’s banning him reading a book cos the bible says it’s bad 🙈she does know the bible is the biggest work of fiction ever written RIGHT 🤷♀️like it’s not real lmao n that’s coming from a 60 yr old white witch ! god does not care what you read a person as don’t exist can’t care sheesh ! And as for her also trying to ban you reading it at your mums house n school to WTF she is a full on lunatic lol ,stick to your guns op my kids are 23-20 n honestly there is nothing remotely wrong with those books lol n we,ve seen the films one thinks that homophobic s***k needs to get over herself 🤦♀️😂
You May Like “The Gift Of Having His Eyes Opened”: Teen Gives Father A Reality Check On His 50th B-Day “AITA For Telling My Dad His Favorite Christmas Memory Is One Of My Least Favorite?” Dad Robs Daughter Of Her Teenage Years By Forcing Her To Babysit, She Breaks The News To Him
Mindaugas Balčiauskas
Dominyka Proškėnaitė
Viktorija Ošikaitė
Related on Bored Panda
43
88