Page:1954 Juvenile Delinquency Testimony.pdf/32

20 Mr. Malter wrote to the 22 comic-book publishers listed in the 1950 edition of N. W. Aver & Son's Directory of Newspapers and Periodicals, In return he received 155 comic magazines from 17 of these publishers. One yuhlished no longer put out comic hooks and four publishers did uot answer his request.

Two of his conclusions follow:

"1. Various writers have maintained that crime stories dominate the comic magazines, while humorous content is restricted. The resnits ef this study indicate that this criticism is not valid. Teather, the data snggests (a) that the percents of puges devoted to humor and crime are approximately equal and (b) that approximately one-third of all comie-story content is devoted te humor.

"2. The writer contludes that general attacks on the comic magazines are unwarranted, Unyjuestionally, it is desirable for persons to graduate from reading comie magazines to the vending of more sophisticated material, Towever, it seetus unreasonable to blanket all comic magazines under the heading "unacceptable"; for, as in all other areus, good and bad exumples are to be found. In atlempting to improve reading habits. it seems flesirable {a) to eliminate nnacecytalde comic magazines by teneching children te be selective in their reading and (6) to make availnble to readers olher books within their experiences.

. Causes and cures of juvenile delinquency. School and society (New York) v. 75, June 28, 1952, p. 410.

(Dr. Brickman is professor of educatiou at New York Universicy and the editer of School and Society Magazine).

"As one res the professional literature and the lay expressions of opinion about juvenile delinquency, one becomes aware of differenees of emphasis and of opinion regarding eanses, (rentments, cures, and preventive work. There are those who put their efgs in the hasket of camie books, television programs, nareotics, or other features of our society. While a trend is in the making along the lines of multiple cansation and therapeutics, there does not exist sulficient recognition of if in publie circles, Some still snipe at the old-fashioned school for its supposed role in the making of delinquents, while others are equally unreasonible in attrilaiting all behavioral ills lo progressive education."

. In defense of comic books. Today's health (Chicago) vy, 30, Sept. 1952: 40–41.

(Mr. Leverett is the former president, Association of Comics Magazine Publishers).

"Well over 75 percent of ali children between 4 and 19 are regular renders of comics Magazines, Sales total hetween 60 and 70 million copies a manth. More than 400 different comics magazines are on sale today. They constituie more than a third of all the newsstand reading watter in this country. The intluence that this pari of the reading diet has on children has hecome an important consideration for parents, educators, sociologists, doctors and, in fact, the entire population.

"The effect of bruralicy, sex, sadism, and eruelty in children's reading matter is self-evident. No comic book which includes such nutter can eyer be acceptable. The strict code of ethics set up by the Association of Comies Magazine Publishers lus bronght about the elimination of such scenes from the magazines publishee by association members. Ryery issue of the magazines put out ty members is exaquined before it is printed by an arbiter retained by the association.

Facts and fears about the comics. Nation's Schools (Chicago). v. 52. July 1958; 46–48.

(Mr. Lewin is a clinical and child psychologist in New York City.)

"Governors, legislators, parents, and professional educators find themselves in a still growing debate over the reputed psychological menace to millions of children, a threat that seems to lurk between the covers of many comic books.

"Some zealous experts demand that these booklets be outlawed. Considering the widespread demand for the controversial comics, such a move might well result in a new source of revenue for enterprising citizens interested in bootlegging or blackmarketing the 'hot goods.

"Before discussing our belief that the harmful influence of the comics has been overrated, let us give some attention to the thinking that has led to objections to them. Many persons concerned with juvenile delinquency and prob-