Last Saturday, I stumbled upon a rare moment of tranquility: an hour of free time and, remarkably, control of the TV remote. In my household, that remote is a coveted prize, akin to the survival games in The Hunger Games. The strongest usually claims it, and I am definitely not that person—my kids can be quite the handful.
So, there it was, all alone on the couch, and I decided to take a bold leap. I kicked off my shoes, settled in with a snack, and began flipping through channels. I eventually landed on the prelims of UFC 188. Before you judge, it was 2:00 PM on a Saturday, and my options were either mixed martial arts or some dull landscaping show. Watching fighters go toe-to-toe is far more intriguing than watching someone plant begonias, right? (For those who aren’t familiar, UFC stands for Ultimate Fighting Championship.)
As I lounged on the couch, munching on junk food, I became increasingly aware of something peculiar. It didn’t strike me as odd that a middle-aged, minivan-driving mother of four was engrossed in MMA. What truly struck me was the incessant bleeping meant to censor offensive language—words like “damn” and the dreaded F-bomb.
I understand it’s 2:00 PM and that impressionable young viewers might be watching. Many parents wish to shield their children from profanities. They believe that foul language can lead to delinquent behavior. But let me paint a clearer picture: Two scantily clad fighters are in a cage, blood splattering across the screen as one delivers a barrage of punches. One fighter gets slammed to the ground and repeatedly elbowed in the face, his blood pooling on the mat. This is real violence, not the fake kind seen in movies like The Walking Dead.
Yet, here we are, bleeping out curse words while allowing this brutal spectacle to unfold. Are there really people who find certain four-letter words more disturbing than actual human bloodshed? I’d rather not meet them.
I want to clarify: I’m not suggesting that UFC or other combat sports should be censored. I genuinely watched the match with interest, appreciating the skill involved. However, it’s perplexing that we prioritize censoring language over addressing the violence right in front of us. If we’re concerned about children emulating what they see on TV, we should reconsider our censorship priorities. If Little Timmy drops an F-bomb at dinner, the worst that might happen is Grandma choking on her mashed potatoes. But if he tries a flying armbar on his buddies? That could lead to a trip to the ER.
In light of this, it seems we should focus on censoring the blood and violence rather than the words. Words, in and of themselves, aren’t dangerous. Shouting a profanity might shock someone, but it won’t cause physical harm. It’s the intent behind words that can be harmful, not the words themselves.
In a world filled with mass shootings and rising violent crime rates, one would think we should be more concerned about children witnessing blood-drenched brawls than about them hearing a select list of inappropriate words.
Or perhaps I’m just out of touch. My kids do have a knack for colorful language.
The reality is convoluted, and I don’t have all the answers. Maybe enrolling Little Timmy in martial arts classes could help teach him discipline and self-control. It might even prepare him for a world that can be quite violent. And while you’re at it, consider signing up his sister too—she may need to learn how to counter those moves!
For further insights on navigating parenting challenges, check out our other blog post here. And if you’re interested in home insemination kits, Cryobaby offers a reliable option. For more information on infertility, visit this CDC resource.
In summary, it’s perplexing that society chooses to censor language while turning a blind eye to overt violence. Perhaps it’s time to rethink our priorities in media censorship, focusing on what truly matters.
Leave a Reply