ADVERTISEMENTREMOVE AD

Be a Government, Not a Nanny

Instead of adhering to a cultural ban, one needs to engage with the millennials on all subjects considered as taboo.

Published
Blogs
3 min read
story-hero-img
i
Aa
Aa
Small
Aa
Medium
Aa
Large
Hindi Female
Instead of adhering to a cultural ban, one needs to engage with the millennials on all subjects considered as taboo.

The effect of the media on children has been an eternal debate between the warring forces of censorship and freedom, government regulations, and liberalism. The goal of both factions has always been to protect the ‘innocence’ of youth, but in the social media era, the definitions are poles apart and the debate even more caustic.

ADVERTISEMENTREMOVE AD

As popular culture continues to push the envelope, sex continues to be taboo and the regular target has been the promotion of safe sex. The government order for TV channels to show condom ads only between 10 pm and 6 am is aimed to safeguard children from ‘indecent and inappropriate’ content, taking objection to the promotion of contraceptives by celebrities in ‘steamy’ ads.

0

Nanny State Across the World

The order shows the government does not trust parents and teachers, and it is better equipped than both to ‘protect’ children. Beyond India, this ‘nanny-state’ exists in different scopes around the world with the common sentiment that parents are becoming lazy.

In 2016, the head of the UK government health regulatory body, Lord Ashton, claimed the government must give parenting lessons to protect children neglected by schools and bad parents. He even added that one in 10 children in the country were emotionally stunted due to poor relationships with their parents.

Back in 2008, the US Congress even introduced two bills – the Pre-K Act and the Education Begins at Home Act – to give more powers to social workers to screen children for emotional and developmental problems.

ADVERTISEMENTREMOVE AD

Keeping Pace with the Social Media Generation

Following moral indignation over the issue, the responsibility of parenting is regularly ignored. As society, lifestyles and media continue to evolve and diversify, parents seem to be ceding ground to the government, schools, and other social institutions. It is challenging for parents in the social media era to regulate what their children consume, as youngsters tend to be 10 steps ahead in the technological evolution. However, as times change, so do the duties of parents.

ADVERTISEMENTREMOVE AD

In my youth, the World Wrestling Entertainment with its violence and scantily clad women was the cultural corruptor enticing the youth. My mother, instead of banning my viewing, chose to watch it with me, changing the channel when the content was inappropriate and even cheering herself when Dwayne Johnson or ‘The Rock’ entered the frame. She chose to converse with me over the different themes WWE boldly promoted, engaging instead of clamping down during my rebellious years. There is an old episode of ‘Friends’ where Phoebe’s sister is a porn star and I had no idea what that was.

When I asked my mother, she calmly explained the adult industry to me instead of banning me from watching the beloved show. Even discussing sex, STDs and contraceptives were never off the table at my home, and over time it garnered a confidence in me to seek my parents’ counsel over anything new in life.

ADVERTISEMENTREMOVE AD

Cultural Ban is Passé

This process of parenting is essential to ground core values in children, from respecting women to being healthy to being tolerant of myriad views in our dynamic world. It allows youngsters to make the right choices as they step out of the shelter of their homes and live freely in an open, multicultural and more connected community. This can only come if parents engage with their children instead of relying on blanket bans and cultural regulation, depending on governments and schools for being the sole custodians of their ‘innocence.’

ADVERTISEMENTREMOVE AD

The thought behind the condom ad regulation order is misplaced.  A government should never strive to be a nanny, and leave it to parents to take responsibility for what they have signed up for. The Supreme Court ruled that privacy is a fundamental right and in a free society, families must operate as private institutions. Parents must be trusted to be responsible to raise the citizens of tomorrow and be at liberty to do things their way.

ADVERTISEMENTREMOVE AD

(The writer is a senior news editor at CNN-News18. This is a personal blog and the views expressed above are the author’s own. The Quint neither endorses nor is responsible for the same)

(Breathe In, Breathe Out: Are you finding it tough to breathe polluted air? Join hands with FIT to find #PollutionKaSolution. Send in your suggestions to fit@thequint.com or WhatsApp @ +919999008335)

(At The Quint, we are answerable only to our audience. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member. Because the truth is worth it.)

Read Latest News and Breaking News at The Quint, browse for more from voices and blogs

Topics:  Supreme Court   Parenting   Modi Government 

Speaking truth to power requires allies like you.
Become a Member
3 months
12 months
12 months
Check Member Benefits
Read More
×
×