Two Sides of Book Bans: PEN America and Moms For Liberty Debate

The national conversation over book bans in American schools and libraries has grown increasingly heated, with organizations on opposite ends of the spectrum defending their versions of “freedom” and “protection.” PEN America and Moms For Liberty are both vocal about liberty, yet they approach the issue in dramatically different ways, reflecting a deep ideological divide over what children should—and should not—be allowed to read.

PEN America, a nonprofit focused on defending the freedom to read and write, has become a leading critic of book removal in schools and public libraries. Since 2021, PEN has been tracking book bans across the United States, filing lawsuits alongside families and publishers to challenge restrictions on materials deemed inappropriate by advocacy groups, local chapters, or individual parents.

“Our guiding light has always been access,” says Kasey Meehan, director of PEN America’s Freedom to Read program. “If a group of a few has the power to remove a book from a public space open to all, then that amounts to a ban.”

In contrast, Moms For Liberty, a conservative parental rights organization, argues that parents must retain the right to oversee their children’s education and access to reading materials. Local chapters work to educate and mobilize parents to engage with school boards and advocate for what they believe is age-appropriate content.

“Parents have the fundamental right to direct the upbringing of their children, whether it be education or medical care …So they also have the right to monitor what their children are watching and reading,” says Tina Descovich, co-founder of Moms For Liberty.

Descovich emphasizes that the group does not advocate government-enforced bans, clarifying that “banning” is often a mischaracterization used to push political narratives. PEN America, however, views the practice differently, arguing that restricting books in public spaces—even temporarily for review—constitutes censorship.

The Importance of Books and Reading

Both organizations agree that reading is vital, but they frame its purpose differently.

PEN America emphasizes intellectual growth and exposure to diverse perspectives:

“Books give kids the building blocks of language while also teaching about history, the mysteries of science, and stories about people who are similar and different,” Meehan says. “They help kids learn empathy, spark curiosity, and think beyond what they know.”

Moms For Liberty highlights academic proficiency and societal benefits:

“Reading proficiency is essential not only for a child’s success but for the success of our nation,” Descovich says. “Quality literature exposes children to the good, beautiful, and true. Reading develops critical thinking, vocabulary, memory, communication skills, and imagination.”

While both agree that books shape young minds, PEN focuses on exposure to a wide variety of ideas, whereas Moms For Liberty stresses selecting content aligned with family and community values.

Defining “Book Banning”

PEN America sees any restriction in public access as a form of censorship:

“If students or members of the public are barred from accessing books they previously could, that is a form of book banning,” Meehan says. She points to coordinated campaigns in school districts and actions by state legislatures aimed at removing certain types of books from libraries and classrooms.

Moms For Liberty offers a narrower definition:

“A banned book means the government has restricted or forbidden the book to be published or sold. Curating a public school library with age-appropriate, high-quality books is what responsible adults do for children,” Descovich says.

In other words, PEN emphasizes access for all, while Moms For Liberty prioritizes parental oversight and age-appropriateness.

Parental Control vs. Public Access

PEN America asserts that public libraries and schools should reflect a pluralistic society rather than the preferences of a subset of parents:

“Public spaces are for everyone. The preferences of some parents should not be used to limit and control the books that every family has access to,” Meehan says. She encourages trusting trained professionals, like librarians and teachers, who curate collections to meet diverse educational needs.

Moms For Liberty stresses parental authority:

“Parents have the fundamental right to direct the upbringing of their children. This includes their education,” Descovich says. The organization supports mechanisms for parents to challenge books they deem inappropriate, reinforcing their belief in parental stewardship.

This tension—between broad access for all students and parental authority over individual children’s learning—lies at the heart of the book ban debate. PEN frames restrictions as censorship that can hinder empathy, critical thinking, and access to marginalized perspectives. Moms For Liberty frames restrictions as responsible guidance, aiming to protect children from content they view as unsuitable.

Who Decides What’s Appropriate?

Both groups agree that someone must make judgments about content, but the process differs:

• PEN America advocates for trained professionals, such as teachers, librarians, and curators, to decide what is educationally appropriate, trusting their expertise to serve all students.
• Moms For Liberty emphasizes policies that allow parents to lodge complaints and have input, arguing that communities should reflect parental values while still following local school board procedures.

The disagreement over who determines appropriateness underscores the ideological divide: one side prioritizes institutional expertise, the other parental authority.

The Bigger Picture

The debate over book bans is not just about individual titles—it reflects broader societal questions about free speech, educational governance, and parental rights. PEN America warns that current trends of removing books can create a climate of fear among educators and limit students’ exposure to diverse ideas. Moms For Liberty counters that selective oversight safeguards children’s development and ensures reading aligns with community standards.

Both sides claim to champion liberty, yet the fundamental question remains: should public institutions prioritize access for all, or should parents retain ultimate control over what their children encounter in public schools? The answer, it seems, will continue to be contested in libraries, school boards, and courtrooms nationwide.

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