In the early years of television people were much more sensitive to what was said and took offence to any form of obscene language. Even in the movies it was unacceptable. However, for many the standard for the use of vulgar language has expanded. In many shows on television vulgar words are used way too often.

In many cases unnecessarily. These words do not bother me in the least. However, there are many parents with young children who are offended by this. This would not be such a big deal if only the shows that carried these vulgarities would be shown later at night, as they were for many years. Also, most of the programs are not correctly rated to warn of their content.

Besides using the basics of the swear words some programs take it to a different level. Instead of using the words themselves they use a form of slang in order to get around the censors.

Although these words are not the same as the ones commonly used, they do share the same meaning. By having these Programs use these words they are encouraging the children to use a new language that their parents do not understand. And because the parents do not understand the words the children think it is all rights to use profanity.

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Profanity in television is not so much a problem as it is an annoyance. It makes television more interesting to watch and can occasionally makes a situation more humorous, but one does not enjoy it when a five-year-old calls their parents a-holes to their face.

Rating System:

Taking cues from USA and Europe, the channels have recently introduced to all the television shows is the new rating system. This system was implemented to warn about the kind of shows on television. The system tells whether the show is too mature for young children. However, does the system still have flaws?

Although it does give an idea as to what the show contains, it does not tell as to the extent to which it is. An example would be the television show “Strangers with Candy.” This program is extremely crude with little humour. It contains vulgarity, drug use, and sexual references. And to top it off the show is at 10:00. Shows like this should not be viewed any time. The point of bringing this up is to show how lose the system is.

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In USA and in the majority of the European countries, the current rating system is as follows: TV-Y-this program is appropriate for all children.TV- Y7-directed to children age seven and above. May include mild physical or comedic violence, or may frighten children under age seven.

Categories for programs directed at entire audience: TV-G-suitable for all ages. Contains little or no violence, no strong language and little or no sexual dialogue or situations. TV-PG-Parental Guidance Suggested. May contain infrequent coarse language, limited violence and some suggestive sexual dialogues and situations.TV-14-parents Strongly Cautioned. May contain sophisticated themes, sexual content, strong language and more intense violence. TV-M-mature Audiences Only Unsuitable for children. May contain mature themes, profane language, graphic violence and explicit sexual content.

Sexual Themes and Drug Use:

The limitations of sex in television as far have been expanded since when the television first became popular. Science the 1980s shows have been made which prove the internationally popular point. Lately on television there has been much leniency towards this subject. Shows such as “NYPD Blues” and “Beverly Hills 90210” constantly try to see how far they can take a situation before they agitate the censors. Once again it does not bother one to see these things, but when thinking about it one really would not approve of his younger sister to see these things.

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Blight on television would be the use of drugs. Unlike vulgarity and sex one really does have a problem with drug use. There is really no use for it on television and one would prefer to never see it. Although people are totally against it really do think that there is a difference between seeing someone spark a joint and watching them stick their arms with a dirty needle- It is my opinion that if young children see this they will become curious and want to experiment. And if this happens they will someday be eating a steady diet of government cheese and be living in a van down by the river.

Subliminal Messages in Television:

Although this subject is often overlooked it is a great cause for concern when it is exposed to young children. Subliminal messages can warp a young child’s mind into thinking that they should do something that is subconsciously being placed into their minds. These thoughts are usually harmless.

Most advertisers try to promote their products by either having an actor rapidly saying the products name or by constantly showing pictures of the product. By doing this they are sending messages to young minds that they need to have what is there. A good example of this would be “Pokemon.” Because of all the publicity kids feel the need to have what is being shown.

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The result to this is parents going out and buying over one-hundred-fifty-one toys of little monsters that their children will forget about in a year. This is exactly what the advertiser’s want so they can put out another toy that will have kids begging their parents for money.

Violence in Television:

Probably the most talked about subject when it comes to bad-mouthing of television. This has become a serious problem in television. Even in the days of early television violence had been around. However, since those days it has become much worse. Instead of kids jumping of cliffs thinking they are superman, or hitting each other over the head with a frying pan, they are hitting each other over the head with a steel chair and choking out their friends like a wrestler.

There is no real place to put the blame because violence is everywhere. However, it does not need to be placed on television where it can be broadcast to anyone who wants to watch it.