Parents appalled; family dog unsure how to respond.

Susan and Jerrie ZuHouten were appalled at a book on exhibitionism they found in their son Paulo’s book bag. They were outraged when they found out that this book actually came from his elementary school’s library.

When interviewed, Susan had this to say. “I can’t believe that they would purchase something like this for our children to read. I don’t want to explain to my kids why some people are so horrible and black inside they believe it’s okay to go around naked. And I certainly don’t want him reading a book about it!”

The ZuHoutens contacted the Principal of the school, who, they say, was not very concerned. “He honestly didn’t understand why we were upset. I asked him if he would want his children reading trash like this,” Jerrie said.

The ZuHoutens have pulled Paulo out of school at the moment, saying they won’t allow him to go back until the book is removed from the system (they have also refused to return it, or pay the late fees). They also want the entire library searched from top to bottom to find anything else they might find offensive. Susan had more to say on this subject, as well: “I don’t want anything that disagrees with what I believe to be taught to my son. Is that so much to ask? Our children are precious! They need to be nutured! If the school doesn’t clean their act up, I guess I’ll have to send Paulo to private school.”

When we questioned the school on what it had to say about all of this, we go the following written response: “Those people are idiots. Did they show you the book? Good riddance. I pity the poor child. It’s only a matter of time before the b—- decides to home school him, and then his entire life is over.” The note was unsigned, but it sounds like someone who has had run-ins with the ZuHoutens many times before. Perhaps even the Principal himself.

It’s hard to tell who is really at fault here. Is the material in the book that questionable? Few would say we should teach exhibition in schools, but the book has been availible for years and is listed as a children’s book in many online bookstores.

But what kind of world would we be living in, if we allowed our children to learn about things in school? Do we really want public schools that encourage our children to think about life in ways we didn’t, or may not want them to? Maybe, as a whole, the parents of our school districts need to determine just that.