Bad For You: Exposing the War on Fun

Pyle, Kevin C. and Scott Cunningham. Bad For You: Exposing the War on Fun. 2014. 189p. ISBN 978-0-8050-9289-9. 306 PYL on the library shelves.

Throughout the ages, adults have always been scared of teenagers and their rebellious ways. In this well researched book, the authors present, through cartoons and illustrations how American society has treated its young people over the last century and how a systematic “war on fun” has been imposed to constrain the rights of teenagers. Major issues dealing with teens, from curfews that may very well violate their First Amendment’s right to assembly to policies of zero tolerance including pointing a finger are explored.

The authors explore five broad areas where teens’ rights have been curtailed: Comics and media; Video games and board games such as Dungeons and Dragons; Technology, including social networks; Playgrounds, skateboarding, and streets; and Schools, from bans on hairstyles and clothes to standardized cheating and zero tolerance policies. Each area feature major legal cases and their media coverage, as well as those who fought back and the resolution, if any, that these cases reached. An interesting side note is not made explicit but shows that in most of these cases, there was no scientific basis for claims made by adults, media exaggerated the claims, adults conflated the hysteria that resulted, and courts eventually ruled that the policies expounded by adults were clearly unconstitutional.

For teens who like to read about oppression, and for those who think the system is out to get them, take heart. The system is in fact out to get you. Read this book, and see how teens have fought back over the years.