The University of Minnesota Press is examining its publishing policies following protests about the press's new title Harmful to Minors: The Perils of Protecting Children from Sex by Judith Levine. The book, which has drawn attention from local politicians as well as syndicated-radio personality Dr. Laura Schlessinger, advocates more openness about the subject of sex among teens.
Since Levine began doing publicity for the book, the house has been bombarded with calls from conservative activists. On March 28, the director of the conservative political group Concerned Women for America issued a statement labeling the book "every child molester's dream—and every parent's nightmare." The story picked up traction when Schlessinger trumpeted the accusations on her syndicated radio show and said Levine has endorsed child molestation. Tim Pawlenty, the majority leader of Minnesota's House of Representatives, publicly condemned the book, which he admitted he had not read.
The press also has its share of defenders. Support has come from the Association of American University Presses, the Association of American Publishers, the American Booksellers Foundation for Free Expression and the Minnesota Civil Liberties Union.
Douglas Armato, the director of the press, defends his decision to publish. "It's being presented as a book about pedophilia, but it doesn't advocate pedophilia, and it isn't about that." He notes that while there are four pages in the book that talk about intergenerational sex, it "focuses on many different issues concerning sexuality."
While the press stands by the book, political pressure—from both within and without the university—has prompted a review. Christine Miziar, the v-p for research who supervises the press, has announced that the university will establish an outside advisory committee to survey both the peer review and acquisitions policy of the press.
The book was rejected by numerous trade publishers—one editorial board called it "radioactive"—before landing at Minnesota. In light of the recent controversy, prospects for Harmful to Minors look strong. The initial print run of 3,500 has been supplemented with a second printing of 10,000 copies.
