Why Do We Brush Our Teeth? : Why Kids Need Banned Books (and Fluoride!)

    

Why Do We Brush Our Teeth? : Why Kids Need Banned Books (and Fluoride!)

Why do we teach our children to brush their teeth?

Well, there are a lot of reasons right; personal hygiene, societal standards, active cavity prevention, etc. This is probably a crucial lesson that is taught along with many others parents try to instill in children at a young age because they know it will follow them throughout adulthood. While brushing my teeth is a mundane task I complete daily, and almost instinctually even, it was not something I always enjoyed. There were many mornings and many nights I rebelled against my parent's wishes to brush my teeth. The task bored me and seemed unimportant, and annoying. Another thing to do on my toddler's "to-do list." However, my parents kept reminding me of the importance of this task, and in times of disagreement, they even brushed their teeth with me, guiding me along the way. It takes discomfort, sacrifice, instruction, and care in almost all of our habits for them to become habits. The only way for growth to occur is with discomfort and practice. 

In Paul Ringel's article, "How Banning Books Marginalizes Children," he explores how the institutional system banning books, and other forms of information and ideas, has innately supported systems of oppression, thus stalling our growth as a human race. One of the arguments Ringel points out is the anxiety, violence, or pressures parents believe certain pieces of literature place on their children. Ringel quotes an elementary school librarian, "' For now'...'I just need the 10 and 11-year-olds biggest worry to be about friendships, summer camps, and maybe their first pimple or two.'" I think that this argument is perhaps the leading one when banning certain books, and parental disagreements on what is appropriate for their children to learn about. However, I think that parents underestimate the flexibility of the growing mind and the potential of literature. As mediums of information have grown and progressed, information has been able to be taught in new ways; ie. word of mouth, literature (physical and electronic), television, media, etc. It has brought me to question, if whether or not introducing difficult topics at a young age (and in the right way) decreases, or increases our "anxiety" as we grow? After reflecting, I think that the answer is decrease. 

I think that as an adult not growing up around diverse media, it can be difficult to "teach an old dog new tricks" especially ones that call out our past, present, and future actions and thoughts. However, that being said, as a logical adult I can recognize that to grow as an empathetic and progressive member of society - I have to do things that are a little uncomfortable. But, if we want to create increasingly better generations, I wonder if exposing "difficult" issues to them in ways that are appropriate, easy to understand, and normalized can help them to create habits that are positive without them even noticing. To create a new normal. A new society. A new standard. Like brushing your teeth. Even though it's probably uncomfortable and new for adults to teach their children topics they are not well versed in, no one said parents couldn't grow with their children. Do teachers not grow with their students? No one is expected to be perfect, but I think that to grow we each have to be uncomfortable first. Banning books might increase parental or teacher comfort in and outside the classroom, but you are depriving children of becoming empathetic members of society who can go on to create laws, friendships, relationships, and actions that are innately good, anti-racist, anti-homophobic, and pro PEOPLE because they have already learned those values and have instilled them into their lives in the form of intellectual and social habits. 

Even though it would be nearly impossible to get every current and future parent on the same page, small steps create big changes. Do you think everyone just decided to start brushing their teeth? Does everyone even still brush their teeth? probably not. But we had to start somewhere. 

So I hope that each of us can grow up to be parents who teach their kids to not only brush their teeth, but read diverse books. 

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