By Kim Miller |

As with most things, asking the right questions is often more important than getting the answers. This is especially true for parents and grandparents who want to protect their children. We need to ask, then ask some more, to get to the truth at our kids’ school and public libraries.  

If you value children, here’s what you should be asking, some important answers, good news of progress, and what YOU CAN DO to protect yours (and others’) kids: 

4 Questions (with answers): 

1 – Are there actually bad materials in schools and libraries, or is this just ‘pearl clutching’?  

Yes, it’s really a problem. Here’s a letter with a long list of shocking books that were/are in Scottsdale schools (sent last summer to the Scottsdale Unified School Board by Scottsdale Unites for Educational Integrity). More was uncovered in Gilbert schools. Find out what’s in your school with this source: TakeBackTheClassroom.com.  

Even in public libraries’ juvenile sections, there’s a gross overabundance of books on social activism, early sexual exploration, and questioning one’s sexual identity. (Where did they put the basic books on science, history, and adventure?)   

2 – WHY are these materials on shelves (or online) for kids?  

Unfortunately, there’s profit behind the sexualization of children. Online it extends from obvious porn (see our blog ‘Put Kids Before Profit’) to “digital learning tools” offered through AZ public tools. Recently, we alerted you that Arizona taxpayers are funding porn-for-kids, an open letter from Pornography is Not Education to the AZ Dept of Education.  

Besides the profits for activists and the porn industries, it’s ignorance. Common-sense people are not becoming aware. (This is a reason to subscribe to AZ Women of Action’s weekly Call To Action Update!) Most people have no idea what children see in schools or access in libraries, but we keep them informed.

3 – Isn’t this simply ‘sex-ed’? Is there evidence of the harm on kids when they see sexual material?  

This goes way beyond sex-ed, and that’s why there’s no excuse for staying silent. Ignorance is not bliss when you start seeing the fallout in your confused, angry, and sexualized children. Here are stories with supporting evidence: What Happens When Children Are Exposed to Pornography? And From MySpace to OnlyFans: The Dangerous Desensitization of Our Kids — Fueled by Public Schools.  

4 – Do parents have a say on what their kids see at public schools and libraries?

YES–but only if they speak up! Arizona has some of the strongest parent rights laws. (See ‘What You Can Do’ for specifics.)

Some Good News! 

AZ Women of Action has made progress with Maricopa County Libraries: We asked questions of the MC Library office who told us that no one had ever complained about children’s books (obviously because nobody knew). So, we created a citizen petition, shared the facts with our followers, and presented hundreds of names to the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors. They listened. We emphasized that parents, not libraries, should have the ultimate authority over the type of content their children are exposed to. We argued that the current arrangement, where explicit books are freely available to children, violates parental rights and endangers children’s emotional and mental well-being.   

We also met with Maricopa County Attorney Rachel Mitchell and her team. Overall progress is being made, though slowly.  

We’re seeing widespread support from parents, teachers, faith-based organizations, and local activists who share the same concerns. Our message is clear: books are not being ‘banned’ but moved to adult sections for parents to decide. It’s not about censorship but protecting childhood. It’s restoring the family’s role in deciding how to protect and nurture each child. 

What YOU CAN DO: 

1. Ask schools for their opt-out forms for any material you deem inappropriate for your child. Sex education is supposed to be opt-IN (meaning they require your permission before kids see it). Ask to see your school’s curriculum first.  

2. Ask your local libraries for a form that limits what their child can check out or access online. If they don’t have one, contact the city, county, or state library office and file a request to change parent-rights policies. 

3. Report any concerning material found in schools to the ADE Empower Hotline at 602-771-3500, or submit their online form. 

4. Share concerning materials with P.I.N.E. (Pornography Is Not Education)

5. Promote Cleaner, Safer Libraries. Join Arizona Women of Action for a fun, family story hour with positive, wholesome books for kids! We’ve partnered with Brave Books to host “See You At the Library Story Hour” on Saturday, August 16th from 1–2PM at the Phoenix Public Library – Mesquite Branch. Families will enjoy uplifting and wholesome stories read by Arizona Women of Action and special guest Maricopa County Superintendent of Schools Shelli Boggs. Click here to register.

Kim Miller is the President and Founder of Arizona Women of Action. You can find out more about their work here.