 Perry L. Glanzer wrote in "English Journal" that Heins had a valid viewpoint to engage students on controversial topics in literature classes, and he added it was necessary to teach them all perspectives of a debate.Ellen P. Goodman wrote for "Berkeley Technology Law Journal" that Heins was critical of prior articles which attempted to show negative impact from violence as portrayed on television programs.Writing in the journal "Social Problems", Jessica Fields characterized "Not in Front of the Children" as a significant monograph which effectively criticized the rhetoric of protection of the sexual purity of youths as a form of ideology.