I don't know, it just seems like there are so many people who are really judgey these days.
Having majored in Journalism, I have a problem with censorship. Of course, there are the no-brainer type things such as stopping a person from running into a crowded theatre and yelling "Fire!" is not censorship.
Things that are illegal are exceptions too. Say, child pornography. Not only should it be censored, but it shouldn't happen in the first place.
Otherwise, I prescribe to the quote credited to Voltaire: "I do not agree with what you have to say, but I'll defend to the death your right to say it."
I was lucky to grow up with parents who didn't censor what I read. What I watched was somewhat monitored (i.e. they weren't about to dump me off at the movies for an R rated film at the age of 10 or anything like that). But, I often stayed up much later than the rest of the family and watched shows like Saturday Night Live in the 70s. My mom never said "No" when I flashed the newest issue of "Mad" magazine at her.
My dad and I had a special ritual - just the two of us. We would go to the library, every two weeks like clockwork. I was allowed to check out anything that caught my eye. I would often have a stack of books I could barely carry out!
The Evil Twin are like that with our own kids. I don't flip through the books Buddy brings home from the school library. If he's reading, he's learning!
We're a crass and inappropriate family. Sissy doesn't stand a chance.
We enjoy singing the Diarrhea Song and making up new lyrics (if your stomach starts to cramp and your pants are really damp - diarrhea, etc.).
Just last night, I was walking - briskly - past Buddy who said, "I have hiccups." I looked at him and said, "I have diarrhea, wanna trade?"
No dice.
But, just like double dipping, we let the kids know the kinds of things we joke around about here should be kept in the family because some people have "issues" with certain jokes or words.
That's a shame. We could all use more laughter. :-)
Sounds like a similar conversation I am having with my daughter. Her mom...my ex..prohibits her from reading my blog....yet she gets worse in High School...Go figure.
ReplyDeleteNew Blogger (to you) here. Liked what I read. I will be sticking around for a while.
I can't stand all the PC crap. It drives me nuts. Unless you are setting out to be offensive to someone, it's fine with me. I just don't stay around people who are out and out racists (sadly, I came across a couple of those while dating) and if I am in front of them, I speak up. It's that simple. Don't like it? Walk away or say so!
ReplyDeleteI had super-religious parents who, while never going after my books, were known to ban radio stations if they heard a single "cuss word" (with my parents that covered a LOT of words), ban tv shows and occasionally even entire networks, and I wasn't allowed to see pg-13 movies until I was married. And it clearly didn't work on me!
ReplyDeleteI try to be open with my kids and know what they're reading, watching, or listening to without judging. We'll see how it goes.
I was allowed to read anything I wanted basically...although Dad did nix the Christopher pike books for a couple years when I asked what "ORGY" was at 10. Whoops. I just didn't take those books to his house. Ha.
ReplyDeleteI often wonder how the people with closed minds and no sense of humor survive in life. I mean really...often poop is funny!
Yep, totally agree with you there!
ReplyDeletebecause i am of an older generation I was raised not only with censorship but prejudice too. I would sneak book into a corner at the Library and read until the place closed. I did not raise my kids the same way because....they have their own minds and at some point have to make their own decisions about morality and everything else.
ReplyDelete"We could all use more laughter"
ReplyDeleteAmen.
Just last night at dinner my 10 year old daughter asked for the "butt-hair" our at home term for butter. I had that same little conversation...you know that is an at home kind of phrase. Some people may not like it.
ReplyDeleteThank God I think she gets it.
Crass is funner and certainly helps kids adapt to just about anything.
This is why I like you!!!! Last night Thing Two and I were waxing poetic about passing gas and just how wonderful it really is. Thing One pretended to be offended, but then she was laughing with the rest of us. Sometimes you just have to let the laughter rip.
ReplyDeleteI also was raised in a very open and non-censored household, and I am very thankful for that. Laughter truly is the best medicine. Hell, if i couldn't laugh at my life sometimes I would probably have a nervous breakdown!
ReplyDeleteI love to laugh, especially at the things I do. I believe this PC thing has gone to far and there is too little courtesy in the world today.
ReplyDeleteCurse you ETW!...I can't stop thinking about making diarrhea songs!
...Al...
I don't censor what my boys read, either. If my parents had censored me, I don't think I'd have the love for books that I do. I am a little more careful about what kinds of movies they watch, though.
ReplyDeleteYes, the world needs more laughter.
I would like to see an episode of the Dugger Family singing (in unison) "When you climb up the ladder, it really starts to splatter...." I think I would probably rip my pants.
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like a very healthy way to grow up!
ReplyDeleteMy parents never censored what I read, but I wasn't allowed to bring Stephen King books into their house. SK creeped them out...so I kept those books at school.
ReplyDeleteChachi and I are operating on the same rules with Nooze.
My parents were the same, they didn't mind what we read but no R rated movies. Anything that encourages a child to read and not get stuck in front of a video game has got my vote. At thirteen, I had already read Deep Throat, The Last Tango in Paris and Mandingo as well as a couple Jacqueline Susann novels.
ReplyDeleteHeres my theory - I try to keep an eye out on what my kid does involving any and all media - but I'm not obsessive about it. Which means I'm perfectly aware that some things I might not approve of are slipping through the cracks. And thats basically how it should be, right?
ReplyDeleteCuz thats what we did when we were kids and we turned out (basically) ok.
The crazy censorship parents really just are teaching their kids that when they come across materials that are inappropriate that they can't talk to their parents about it. Did that make sense? It's late and I'm on Nyquil...
ReplyDeleteIn my house we have always been pretty open about what the kids read and watch and say, just as long as basic respect is used between people and as for what they watch and read, I make sure I know what it is and that whatever they encounter, I'm there to explain and put things in context for them so that they understand the concepts of what they see and read and not just mimic the actions or words contained therein. I make it MY job to do these things and not the job of a teacher or God forbid, their peers.
ReplyDeleteFMD
ETW! Youare so inappropriate and how dare you...yeah, blah, blah, blah. We're pretty inappropriate too and I am pleased that my kids know all of "the words" that a 4th grader (for example) should know. Folks need to lighten up. I know my kids are gonna say crazy crap. I say crazy crap...why pretend we don't. And also, I may learn a thing or two from the kids!
ReplyDeleteIt surprises some people that we aren't big on censoring anything in our house, either. Most people assume we're quiet and "goody goody" because we homeschool. But, that is just a stereo type that we don't fit.
ReplyDeleteWe just go it on instinct. Sometimes I cringe a little but we have to let them grow up and explore.
And, I've had WAY too much of the judge-y people lately. WAY TOO MUCH. I think its becoming an epidemic.
I have to agree with you! I'm already very open with my child and she's 4 (I think around the same age as Sissy). One day she happened to notice my tampon string. So, I explained what it was for (in a round-about way) and said I would explain the rest when she was a little older. I mean, she's going to eventually learn it right?
ReplyDeleteMy Mom NEVER talked to us about anything and censored a LOT of what we did and watched and I hated that!
Hugs - Tiff