Why do people use children when they try to censor others?

Question

Why can't they be honest and simply say that they're offended by what's in the media, books, music, etc.?

Why can't they leave the children out of it? Most it it doesn't even have anything to do with a child.

To Amberrose: I don't give a damn what parents censor for their children. But they shouldn't go ou boycott calls and try to deprive everyone else. We're NOT their children.

Panacea: Your argument is unfair. I'm not out to target any child with anything. I just don't think it should be my responsibility to protect your children. That's YOUR job, and it is something as simple as a remote control.

Edit Amberrose: I didn't answer your question because I didn't want to use my children to make this point. It would be hypocritical of me to criticize the fact that people use children to set up their personal agendas, and then mention my children.

Answer 1

Simple, so that they can assume the moral "high ground" and smear their opponents by portraying them as people who don't like or don't care about kids, instead of actually defending their position when people--legitimately--ask questions like yours.

If you don't want your kids to see "adult" movies, shows or books, and act on that by limiting or supervising what YOUR kids see, then more power to you--you have your kid's best interests at heart and I salute your pro-active parenting.

If, however, you are holding up your kids (or hypothetical "kids" in general) to control what EVERYONE gets to watch or read, then I have little respect for you or your cynical practice of hiding your agenda behind those who cannot consent to such use. You are either lazy, opportunistic, or misled.

edit: Amberrose, you seem to be missing the point entirely. Not letting your kids watch what you don't feel they are ready for is not what imagine is talking about--she's talking about the parents who insist that TV stations, film companies and publishers should not be creating material that they personally feel that kids should not have access to--especially when what they REALLY mean is that they don't think ANYONE should have access to it, regardless of their age or personal choice.

There's a HUGE difference. Using children as a shield to hide behind while you try to make everyone conform to your idea of "appropriate" entertainment is cynical and wrong, and people have a responsibility to speak out against it.

Answer 2

Do you have children? It's just common sense that people over the age of 18 can watch/read/listen to more mature things than a 6 year old. Parents trying to protect their children are not using them as an excuse; and if they didn't censor things for their children, they would be considered bad parents. I may not be offended by porn, but I'm not going to let my daughter watch it.

Edit: btw: I'm not in favor of limiting anyone's 1st amendment rights, and I do believe that censorship is the responsibility of the parent; but, my point is that I don't believe that children are being used as an excuse, they are the reason. And, since you didn't respond to my question on whether or not you're a parent, I will assume that you are not, and until you have kids, you can't understand the lengths that us parents will go to in order to protect our children.

Answer 3

While there may be some people who use that approach, why do you find it hard to believe that concerned adults would try to limit children's exposure to scenes or language that are inappropriate? This is becoming an increasingly serious problem, because adult-themed situations are everywhere and kids have access to so much that cannot be controlled by their parents. Most adults would just like to see kids be allowed to be kids for awhile and not have their innocence taken away before they are ready.

Answer 4

Because they are not. Certain things are specifically not for children BUT THEY ARE APPROPRIATE FOR ADULTS.

Also, most people who make an argument like yours are specifically out to target children. People act appropriately to that.

Answer 5

Because children can't speak for themselves easily, making them the perfect victim.

Answer 6

Because children have much more malleable and impressionable minds, they use this development period as a sacred defense against what they see as objectionable.

Answer 7

It does offend them and they don't want their children to view or listen to "offensive material". I don't blame parents. I wouldn't want my child to be exposed to offensive stuff.

Answer 8

right on.


What is the funniest example was the breast on the statues at the justice dept. were covered up by John Ashcroft,

a statue...come on.
that is sad.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/1788845.stm

Answer 9

Right besides they should already make sure their kids dont watch things like that censorship or no.......its their responsibility