Censoring Taboo Language for Our Children

Censorship of taboo words in the television would be controversial issue since some people may think censorship of taboo words gives awkwardness to the characters who are talking on controversial issue without referring to taboo words. Or some others may argue that replacing taboo words with alternative words is like hiding the truth. On the other hand, supporter of censorship of taboo words may say that banning such words will protect children who are easily offended from taboo language on television.

I personally believe that censorship of taboo words is necessary to nurture role model children. I concern more about quality of the language which children speak than reality of the TV program. One of the reason why censorship of coarse words is necessary is that children are easily influenced since their brain is so flexible to learn anything quickly. If we expose children to the environment where taboo words are often heard, those children are more likely start speaking such language in cordial life. Unfortunately, I have encountered some of very young children who are less than five years old cursing others because they were exposed to the environment where those words are frequently heard; since children develop their language style by observing their surroundings, they will think that using taboo words are not bad at all by being in the environment where taboo words are used without hesitation. If use of coarse language are punished or discouraged in the environment, those children would know that speaking such language is not good, then they are more likely avoid those words in their life. Then those children grow up to be a good role model for their children as well. If coarse words are replaced with alternative words, or simply beeped, children in developing stage will notice that those words are not encouraged; thus they will avoid using such language.

It is hard to imagine conversation among teenagers without any taboo language today; however, in Victorian era, avoiding taboo language was very common in society because people in the era were striving to do so. Therefore, they could communicate each other without use of taboo words, and it was natural back then. If we start nurturing children who are accustomed to express themselves without taboo words, they eventually talk more morally then censorship of taboo words may not be an issue in the future, If all things work well. I know that this is an ideology, so it may be so hard to accomplish. However, if we strive to censor taboo words, we can at least prevent some children to be exposed to taboo words and discourage them to use them, even though their parents may use taboo words frequently. This change slowly changes whole society to move toward less use of taboo language. If we stop banning such language, children will definitely be more exposed to those and they will nurture next generation full with taboo language without any offending feeling. I believe our generation became more abusive user of taboo words through deteriorating moral views; one of the influences is definitely pervasive taboo language from TV shows. If we do not regulate taboo words in the television media, we will create our next generation even worse than us. Our children may call us “people from Victorian era” when they become adults.