"You seldom get a censorship attempt from a 14-year-old boy. It's the adults who get upset"

The quote by Robert Cormier highlights a significant aspect of the dynamics between youth and adults concerning censorship and content policy. Cormier, understood for his young person literature, recommends that teenagers are frequently more open-minded and less likely to require censorship than adults. This observation can be unpacked in a number of ways.

To start with, Cormier's quote shows the fundamental curiosity and exploratory nature of youth. Teens, particularly around the age of 14, are in a developmental stage defined by questioning standards, seeking autonomy, and pressing limits. They are most likely to encounter new ideas, challenge existing beliefs, and consume varied material without the same level of preconceived bias or fear that grownups might harbor. This openness can make them less inclined to censor materials, as they are more focused on exploration and understanding than on preservation of established norms.

In contrast, grownups often possess a more defined set of beliefs, shaped by their experiences and social impacts over time. This can cause increased level of sensitivity to specific concepts or styles that challenge their worldview, triggering calls for censorship. Grownups may also feel a sense of obligation to secure youth from content they perceive as harmful, questionable, or improper, coming from protective instincts and societal norms.

Moreover, grownups may be driven by stress and anxiety over change and the prospective societal implications of exposing young people to brand-new, unorthodox principles. This protective stance can sometimes cause an underestimation of young people's ability to seriously engage with complicated topics.

Finally, Cormier's remark underscores a wider commentary on liberty of expression and the function of censorship in society. It invites reflection on who holds power in dictating access to information and the effects of limiting material based upon subjective pain.

In essence, the quote challenges us to consider the balance between assistance and liberty, encouraging a discussion about the capacity of young people to engage with difficult product, and the inspirations behind adult-driven censorship efforts.