Censorship, by definition, is the suppression of speech or removal of communication material that may be considered objectionable or repugnant. Censorship is nothing new and its effects are constantly felt throughout society. Many societies resort to censorship to protect the established moral and social order. Book censorship in Western cultures dates back to the early years of Christianity, when the Church began to suppress opposing views considered unorthodox. In ancient times, before printing and mass literary production, book burning was an effective form of censorship. This process ensured that no one would ever read them. Although book burning was very effective, it is now used more as a protest gesture to shock people rather than as an actual method of destroying a book. In modern times, censorship refers to the examination of media, including books, periodicals, plays, films, television shows, and radio programs, with the aim of modifying or remove parts deemed offensive. Today's censorship occurs when some people manage to impose their personal or moral values ​​on others. The censorship focuses primarily on the First Constitutional Amendment. “The law requires that if a book is to be withdrawn, an investigation must be conducted into the motives and intentions of the party requesting its withdrawal. If the party's intent is to deny students access to ideas with which the party disagrees, that constitutes a violation of the First Amendment” [First Amendment Center]. Although the First Amendment prohibits government authorities from prohibiting free exercise, restricting free speech, or practicing religious censorship in the United States, individuals have successfully lobbied to have the books removed from public view and from the middle of the paper. ..which some readers might find offensive. I believe that some of this information is certainly age appropriate and that by hiding vital information from students, they become naive to real world situations.ReferencesAllen, J. (1999). Article. CNN Book News [Banned Books Week Highlights Battle Against Censorship]. Retrieved November 15, 2009 from http://www.cnn.com/books/news/9909/27/banned.books/Bald, M. (2006). Banned books, literature suppressed for religious reasons (2nd ed.). New York, New York: facts on record. (Original work published in 2004). Mullally, C. (2009). Article. In First Amendment Center [Banned Books]. Retrieved November 15, 2009, from http://www.firstamendmentcenter.org/Speech/libraries/topic.aspx?topic=banned_books