CENSORED
In "Letting Words Fly", John McWhater points out that taboo language simply reflects our social mores. Social mores that I feel are declining with each decade. When asked do I feel that we should be able to use taboo language uncensored in the media, my feelings go both ways. I feel very strongly that taboo language should be censored, but that is just my personal opinion and I know that the whole world does not revolve around me. I just would rather not here such language especially as often as it is put out there in various forms of media. I believe there is a strong conservative population that feels the way I do. There are many organizations that focus on censoring language in the media and protecting our children. There are also many groups that fight to protect a persons right to free speech and not be censored. These groups would argue that people have the right to express themselves and people who might be offended by such language can choose not to listen and therefore not be offended. So I guess socially it should be allowed. I think that it should be done in a respectful manner. Those using taboo language should make sure it is in their rating and under parental guidance. I still think that it should be our utmost goal to protect the children and what they hear. I do think that what we do censor and what we do not censor is inconsistent. We should censor things in a consistently regulated manner. For example we can allow people to speak freely and say whatever they desire but make sure that the audience knows and is aware. They can then make the decision whether or not they are going to watch it or let their children watch it. You listen to our culture's music today and it has f-word, s-word, b-word, and h-word in almost every sentence. Yes they censor it out only enough so it is not the actual work but you can still tell what the word is supposed to be. Yes we have people that are against this language but we have more that accept it. It is in our culture. In the 1960's the morals were higher than what we have today. I do not know why language is being fussed over when you watch any television show and in at least one episode someone is practically naked and two people might as well be having sex. In most television shows the story lines revolve around sex. So I do not think that the language should be such a big deal but that we have bigger issues to work out. In Conclusion, I do not think that the true root of the problem is our media. They only do and will go as far as the public approves and allows. If such material did not sell it would not be a problem. If people did not make such an issue out of what was being said then things would not be censored. So technically the decision is on you. You call the shot what are you going to do about it?
I completely agree with you that it is our social mores that define what is acceptable on television and what is not. I also agree that our social mores are declining each decade. If the media is going to allow this taboo language then it should only be allowed after prime-time when kids are not watching and it should be clearly identified what you might be exposed to. I don’t care to be subjected to foul language and I should also be able to sit down and relax in the evening and watch a show without feeling like I’ve been assaulted by language.
ReplyDeleteAs I walk around campus or around young people in general, not only the language that is being used astonishes me but the fact that they don’t even care that an “older” person is walking by and censor what they are saying. Young people used curse words when I was growing up too but at least the younger generation had enough respect for their elders that they would not use that type of language around them. Respect doesn’t seem to exist too much anymore. This is a sad commentary on our society and as more and more of this type of behavior becomes acceptable, it makes you wonder what is in store for our country’s future.
Like you I also agree and think that censorship should be a responsibility that parents have. I believe that schools should press harder on the parents to watch and take more responsibility on censoring what their kids say, do, read, watch and listen to. If the children of these irresponsible adults continue to promote foul language and just misbehave in general then the school should be able to react with stricter punishment. Morals are low because our society is gaining too much freedom on how the children should be punished in schools, heck a teacher can’t do anything compared to what they use to be able to back when my parents were kids due to the fear of being sued.
ReplyDeleteI believe the more freedom the government gives for entertainment the lower our society’s morals become. The censorship America inflicts upon its media entertainment is just one huge garbled mess being strewn upon here, there, and everywhere whenever they feel it should be inflicted. If parents are not going to be responsible then I say the government should be able to take the role instead and inflict stricter views and control on media entertainment industries that show on daily televisions, if they can do it for gambling and clubs they can put age limits on media that we watch on television and come up with programs that involve proving one’s age to prevent viewings.