What is the Problem with Parenthesis?

I don't totally get this. There seems to be some kind of ban on using ( ) I haven't heard about (smile).

I have a degree in English from Fairleigh Dickinson University, Florham-Madison Campus, I've been reading novels all my life, and I've seen ( ) used time and again. In Anne Tyler books, I think her funniest, wittiest moments were done with the use of ( ). In stream of consciousness literature it's essential to use ( ).

So why is it that I can't seem to get one single story or novel past a co...