Has The FCC Let Parents Down

It is hard to believe that Elvis Presley was not allowed to be shown on TV  below the waist or married couples, like in the Dick Van Dyke show, were shown sleeping in separate beds.

I am not proposing we go back to those standards, but could someone please explain to me where the FCC (Federal  Communications Commission) has disappeared to?

I hear all the time about how the American family is being destroyed, and the morals of  society are going down the tubes. The right blames the left. The left blames the right. Conservatives are at fault.  Liberals are to blame. Religious leaders are out of touch, blah, blah blah.

Let me ask again, “Where is the FCC?“  Howard Stern (love him or hate him) was basically run off traditional radio by them. We have developed pay channels  to keep the graphic and violent shows off basic television.

Have you turned on the radio in the morning while driving your kids to school? Profanity is regularly heard from many DJ’s on the air. I consider myself fairly tolerant, but I just don’t get it.  Has the FCC just thrown their hands in the air and given up?

It is no different on regular television. Profanity is  everywhere.  “Real world” teenagers lives consist of hot tubs, alcohol, and sex.  Is it really so difficult to create gripping and exciting dialog without cursing?

“Just turn the channel or the station” is often the argument. Why should  a parent have to do that?  A parent should be able to turn on the radio or television, especially during the daytime, and feel secure that their kids are not learning all the words that they try so hard to teach  are “bad”.  Your life is really not boring because you didn’t have a 50K sweet 16 birthday party, should not  be part of any discussion between a daughter and a parent. ( Not saying I needed to, but you get the message)

There are certain words that I have never said. They are just demeaning and have a very negative connotation. I am baffled by the use of the “N” word in music and videos today. How could anyone wish to make this term become easy to flow from the lips of others. I realize this might get me in trouble, and labeled out of touch, but it really bothers me. Putting words to music does not change the original intent of  words.

Maybe I am a bit sensitive due to my Jewish heritage.  If a comment is said in jest during a discussion with my friends, it is generally okay. If someone else said the same comment, I would be extremely offended.  Why would anyone want to desensitize people with  constant use? Where will we be five or ten years from now?  Apparently the FCC will have a much easier job, since they seem to be allowing greed trump protection.

Let me give a personal  example of how making demeaning remarks in the name of profit, numbs the people watching. My kids came home  after watching  the movie Borat in the theater. “Dad, you would love this movie. It is so funny!”

Having a pretty good sense of humor I decided to check it out. The theater was packed. Obviously, it must be good because it was so popular. I admit, there were a few funny moments. But as I watched, Sasha Cohen, the writer and star, had several scenes where Jews where the butt of the joke. Not in a positive way, but in a  stereotypical demeaning light. I felt very uneasy and a bit uncomfortable.  “ But Dad”, my kids responded when I discussed this with them later, “Sasha Cohen is Jewish. He  is just making fun of how others see us.”

It wasn’t the scenes that bothered me the most, I explained to them. It was the reaction by the other moviegoers. You see, I realized that 99% of the people in the seats all round me, laughing hysterically were probably not Jewish. They were getting their kicks agreeing with the depiction on the screen. It was not tongue in cheek to them.   In my mind Sasha Cohen sold out in the name of greed. I didn’t find it funny. In fact it made me a bit nauseous.

That is an example of desensitizing the public. This is what is happening with the use of the “N” word  and other profanity that I don’t think is truly understood.  While an  “R” rating is capable of  keeping young kids out of a theater, the FCC seems to have agreed to let other media slide. It is disappointing. It makes parenting today a bit more difficult.

If you think kids don’t realize what the FCC allows today is too much, just walk into a room were your teenagers are listening to a CD that contains these words.  Here is what I hear ” Dad, you probably don’t what to listen to this.”

Isn’t it funny. Today, as your kids get older, they are the ones censoring their parents, after we tried to protect them for so many years.

Related posts:

1. It’s Back To School: Developing Routine And Structure For Parents
2. Michael Vick and Teachable Moments for Parents
3. Parents – Grab A Whistle and Give it a Try