Beyond obscenity: an analysis of sexual discourse in LIS educational texts

Abstract

Purpose – This research seeks to discover the type of discourse encouraged around controversial materials, particularly those of a sexual nature, in LIS educational texts. Censorship and controversial materials are often issues addressed in the LIS literature, but even with ideals of neutrality it can be difficult to remain balanced on certain issues, particularly those dealing with sex. Design/methodology/approach – A content analysis of 85 LIS texts on collection development, reference, and intellectual freedom was completed using the following thematic elements: sex, pornography, erotica, curiosa, facetiae, obscenity, censorship, and controversial materials. Deeper analysis of individual definitions and usages was informed by Michel Foucault's perspective that education “follows the well-trodden battle lines of social conflict. Every educational system is a political means of maintaining or of modifying the appropriation of discourse” (Foucault, 1972, p. 227). Findings – Findings from the investigation indicate that LIS texts are predominately pejorative when discussing sexual topics such as erotica and pornography. Few texts provide distinctions between different types or genres of sexual materials. Research limitations/implications – The majority of texts analyzed for this study were published in the USA and hence have an American bias. This bias necessitated the use of American legal terminology and a reliance on American Library Association guidelines for examination purposes. The emphasis on American terminology may limit the applicability of the results outside of North America. Originality/value – Sex is one of the most highly cited reasons for challenges to materials in libraries. At the same time the mainstream popularity of the Fifty Shades of Grey trilogy has created a new, widespread interest in the publishing, reading, and collecting of erotica. An understanding of how these texts are defined and identified in the LIS literature provides greater understanding of the discipline's biases.

A Post Fifty Shades of Grey Examination of Canadian Public Library Collections

“…Pecoskie and Hill (2015) traced the history of FSOG from its roots as fanfiction through its emergence as a traditionally published novel. Hill and Harrington (2014) found the definitions and distinctions between various terminology referencing sexual materials (e.g. pornography, erotica, obscenity) in LIS texts to be woefully inadequate.…”

Objects of Human Desire: The Organization of Pornographic Videos on Free Websites

“…This lack of examination is the result of the challenges of studying phenomena related to any facet of sexuality" (p. 392). Hill and Harrington (2014) have added to the conversation surrounding the topic by insisting on "an understanding of the shift in the role of the librarian from one of 'censor' to one of 'defender of intellectual freedom' and an understanding of how controversial materials, writ large, have been explored" (p. 63).…”

Pre-emptive Censorship of Children’s Literature that is Sexual in Nature by Elementary Librarians in the Middle East. (c2021)

“…Over the years, there has been an increase in interest of representations of sex and sexuality; this explicit demonstration has allowed it to become a topic worth publishing for some authors, hence producing topics of literature that are sexual in nature (Hill & Harrington, 2014). McNair (2002) discusses this evolving transition and claims it dates back to 1980 after the discovery of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome, (AIDS).…”

“…Children's literature has evolved over time and the countless changes it has endured, reflects the technological advances within the field of publishing as well as the universal shift in perceptions about children along with their societal norms (Enriquez et al, 2018). Furthermore, Hill and Harrington (2014), highlighted the fact that there has been an increased access to representations of sex and sexuality within literature; this explicit demonstration has allowed it to become a topic worth publishing for some authors, hence producing topics of literature that are sexual in nature. This rise in controversial and obscene topics within publishing has led some organizational institutes and social systems to pursue acts of censorship, where they suppress the distribution and circulation of such literary content (Al-Sharqi & Abbasi, 2015).…”