I still think it is the parents' responsibility, and if they are not taking that initiative, if they are too busy in their own lives, then they are failing their role as parents. Even that scion of the Kennedy clan Jackie Kennedy realized that the parents' MOST important role was raising children--long before Hillary Clinton turned the responsibility over to an entire village.
The examples you cite about books makes me think about the MPAA's rating system. I long ago came to the realization that the MPAA's standards are not my standards, and I feel sorry for the 13 and 14 year old child whose parents blindly believe that every PG-13 movie is suitable for dropping their kids off for an unsupervised afternoon.
It's impossible for the parents, the way the ALA sets up the game. Look, which ALA article should the parent follow about the baby in Pampers rape book? It's like two ALA's in one!
"Push by Sapphire This book by sapphire is an excellent book for anyone not just teens. Although it does have some vulgar language the book has an overall great storyline and alot of different life lessons. The girl in the book is physically, emotionally, and mentally affected. She has been molested by both her mother and father, and is now bearing her fathers second child. She continues in school while her mother also physically abuses her because she is upset about her husband leaveing her bed to go sleep with thier daughter. The book is great!! crystal p."
Good for children Push
"Sapphire. Push. 1996. Knopf, $20 (0-679-44626-5). Gr. 11 and up. Untrained, uneducated, and pregnant by her father, Claireece Precious Jones has nowhere to turn until Ms. Blue encourages her to read and write down everything in a journal. As her writing becomes more accessible, she gains confidence in herself. A graphic, poignant novel, best suited to mature readers."
Bad for children Push
And the ALA is supposed to be an authority and gets to blame parents for not reading the books first?
"Push" is the book the ALA promotes as "an excellent book for anyone not just teens."
Now look me straight in the face and tell me if you do not see a problem here with the ALA recommending the book on one hand then blaming the parents on the other hand for letting their children read the book.