Concern About Book (Press, 1 March 1977)

In a response to J. E. Viney's comments published on 26 February 1977 regarding the book "Down Under the Plum Trees," Robin Duff criticises the misrepresentation of his views and the implications made about the book being "filthy" and "pornographic." He stresses that there is a distinct difference between a "teacher reference and resource" and a "classroom text," making it clear that the book is not suitable for use in classrooms as it currently stands. However, Duff defends the book by advocating for the right of readers, particularly young adults, to access information on sexuality and relationships. He argues that the book could serve as an important tool for fostering discussions between parents and their children, thus justifying its value in discussions surrounding these subjects. Additionally, M. S. Waghorn, also responding to Viney's critique, asserts that he has thoroughly read "Down Under the Plum Trees" rather than superficially reviewing it. He expresses concern regarding the potential harm that could arise from exaggerated accounts provided by the Concerned Parents’ Association, suggesting that their secretary formed opinions based solely on sensationalised excerpts. Waghorn questions the Association's stance on the portrayal of pregnancy, asking whether they view it as a perversion or merely a natural occurrence, thereby challenging their criteria for labeling the book negatively. Both correspondents are advocating for a more nuanced understanding of the book's content and its place in discussions on sexuality.

The text on this page is created, in the most part, using Generative AI and so may contain errors or omissions. It is supplied to you without guarantee or warranty of correctness. If you find an error or would like to make a content suggestion please get in contact

The text on this page is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 3.0 New Zealand