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Obi ectionable Comic Books Are Parents’ Problem, Forum Holds* (The problem of objectionable comic books was thrown squarely, in the laps of individual parents at a meeting of Mansfield mothers held at Rebecca Grubaugh school yesterday.Seventy mothers heard a panel of four speakers discuss the problem. Those who spoke at the meeting were Arthur L. GJattke, superintendent of the Ohio State reformatory; Floyd Dent, area scout commissioner; Rev. John G. Gensel, pastor of St. Paul's Lutheran church, and Rev. David N. Roller, pastor of the First Presbyterian church.Rev. Roller told the group, I am absolutely opposed to vigilante methods and pressure groups. He said that something must be done, but in his opinion, pressure groups are not the answer.Dent told the mothers that they should discuss the problem with their children at home. He said that youngsters w-ould help to solve the problem if they are given the opportunity. He warnedHe put the problem squarely before the group when he asked, “How many of us know What we’re doing?” After oniy a few mothers admitted that they could give the titles of at least three comic books, Dent asked them how they could know whether thecomics were good or bad. He suggested that parents read comic books themselves before making decisions for their children.Rev. Gensel reminded the parents that they have the buying power for the family. If comic books are sold, it is because adults like and buy them, he added. He said that the responsibility rests with the parents, since it is the adults who set the policy of a town. He said that adventure comics are an outlet for natural impulses which must be restrained, but that *oung children lack the necessary restraint.He said that parents should see to it that their children are not exposed to certain comics until they have been taught discrimination.Glattke oneneri the dtsc fits inn with aiwutt t1\nwere depicted in eertain comic books and some newspaper comic strips. He read several newspaper clippings pointing out a possible connection between juvenile crime and reading of objectionable comic books.Rev. Roller also told the group that an association of comic magazine publishers has recently been formed to combat the problem. The association has set up a code providing for wholesome entertainment and education in comic books and banning anything which might lower the moral code of the readers. Hesuggested that parents write to the association commending their action.He said that, parents must go to the source of the trouble, the publishers of comic books.He pointed out that local dealers often ha\e to buy magazines on a contract basis. Under this method, thev are forced to take certain comic books in order to get other comic books and maga-'VIM Ah _ _ 1 “
Newspaper Details
Mansfield News Journal
Mansfield, Ohio, US
Thu, Nov 18, 1948
Page 1
Full Page
Clipped by
Arlington H.
IL, USA 10 Aug 2020
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