Censorship At The Checkout: Rights Violation or Pandering to Parents?

[Stormieweather]

Having been raised in a fundamentalist, extremely sheltered home, I can testify that all that 'protecting' from the evils of the world is ineffective in producing an adult with a higher moral core than someone who is exposed to it. By fundamentalist and sheltered, I mean church 3 times a week, an hour a day on my knees for prayer, home schooled until high school and then off to private boarding school, and absolutely no public media (television, radio or fiction) in our home. In my experience, being so sheltered led to fear and guilt, primarily. In addition, I had an insatiable curiosity to experience all that I had missed. I pretty much went hog-wild and pig-crazy once I acquired the nerve to defy my mother, as did many other of the young people I knew in similar situations.

As an adult and mother, I resent other people imposing their moral standards on me. I'm perfectly capable of deciding what is appropriate for my children, thank you very much. Open communication is much more effective than pretending this or that doesn't exist.

In any grocery store, you can walk down the isle and see condoms, pregnancy kits, lubricant, temporary tattoos, cigarettes and liquor. This is somehow alright, but a few magazines with scantily dressed females or suggestive headlines aren't?

Stormie

[Pangloss62]

Wow. Even my strict Catholic upbringing was not THAT bad. You should be proud of yourself. Ironically, your childhood experience probably informs your own parenting choices today; though I'm sorry you had to go through that. Kids aren't stupid. If they ask questions, answer them honestly. I remember how my mother was so afraid (or ashamed) to talk to me about sex, she waited until I was about 14 and just gave me a 1950s-era kids book about the topic. I might not have known everything about sex at that point, but I sure knew more about than what was written in that book.

Happy parenting.

Originally Posted by Stormieweather

Having been raised in a fundamentalist, extremely sheltered home, I can testify that all that 'protecting' from the evils of the world is ineffective in producing an adult with a higher moral core than someone who is exposed to it. By fundamentalist and sheltered, I mean church 3 times a week, an hour a day on my knees for prayer, home schooled until high school and then off to private boarding school, and absolutely no public media (television, radio or fiction) in our home. In my experience, being so sheltered led to fear and guilt, primarily. In addition, I had an insatiable curiosity to experience all that I had missed. I pretty much went hog-wild and pig-crazy once I acquired the nerve to defy my mother, as did many other of the young people I knew in similar situations.

As an adult and mother, I resent other people imposing their moral standards on me. I'm perfectly capable of deciding what is appropriate for my children, thank you very much. Open communication is much more effective than pretending this or that doesn't exist.

In any grocery store, you can walk down the isle and see condoms, pregnancy kits, lubricant, temporary tattoos, cigarettes and liquor. This is somehow alright, but a few magazines with scantily dressed females or suggestive headlines aren't?

Stormie

My wife was raised Free-Will Baptist & I was raised in Central FL... I was going to say exactly what you did, but doubtfully as eloquently and succinctly.
Also, if we want the supermarkets to start putting National Geo and Discovery Magazine at the check-out (the sign that the Apocalypse has ended IMO) we are going to have to stop buying the other mags and buy them instead so Cosmo cannot afford the placement costs. It ain't hard.

Though they are good conversation starters though.... "What's that Daddy"
"Poontang son"
"What's Poontang Daddy?"
Well, son... a great man once said: "Poontang's Expensive" Let's just leave it at that for now ok son? But, never forget this lesson... you will though... lord knows you will...*wipes away tear shed for his future lost innocence and savings* You want some gummy worms?
"YEAH!"

[Pangloss62]

Consumer demand gave us W. too. American Idol. SUVs. McDonalds. Lots of cosmetics. Diets. Lots of diets and books about diets. Magazines about shopping. Better Sex!!

I concur that poontang is indeed expensive, but the price is not always in dollars. One pays with their integrity. Resist the mighty poontang!

[Kitsune]

Originally Posted by Pangloss62

Down here in Atlanta, GA, the large Publix supermarket chain has started placing plastic placards over the magazines located at the checkout in deference to the many "moms" who are concerned that their precious ones will be unduly influenced by the semi-nude models, references to SEX!

I'm not sure that is why they really do it. Publix is a very "moral conscious" company -- I've got several friends that work at the Lakeland HQ and they've noted that even the IT department shows heavy signs of Christian influence and codes (but "without pressure", I've been told). The Publix I frequent puts up the white cards as well, but the actual magazine isle? No cards, same magazines and then some. This is the same isle with greeting cards, stuffed animals and childrens books, so it can't possibly be because of concerns over what children might see.

You know what I think the white covers are about? They draw every concerned mother's attention to the new Child Friendly Lane. Have you ever seen what what's in there? Coloring books, candy, cookies, toys, stickers, and a huge assortment of items that just beg to be purchased by the little ones.

I really think the white cards are a sale gimmick that draws the attention of curious adults to peek at the merchandise and direct concerned mothers to the buy me that toy, mommymommy I want it now lane.

[Pangloss62]

Yes, I've been told that Publix is indeed conservative. I also was told that they gave a big donation to the W. campaign. The floor manager the night I complained told me they are given "a list" from the Lakeland headquarters of which mags to cover, so I don't know if I buy into them being there to make the moms check out the new "Child Friendly" lane. I have not seen such a lane at the store I USED to go to; I try to shop at Kroger now.

Imagine. Actually USING children to increase profit. Many parents think just saying no will "hurt" the little kids.

Originally Posted by Kitsune

I'm not sure that is why they really do it. Publix is a very "moral conscious" company -- I've got several friends that work at the Lakeland HQ and they've noted that even the IT department shows heavy signs of Christian influence and codes (but "without pressure", I've been told). The Publix I frequent puts up the white cards as well, but the actual magazine isle? No cards, same magazines and then some. This is the same isle with greeting cards, stuffed animals and childrens books, so it can't possibly be because of concerns over what children might see.

You know what I think the white covers are about? They draw every concerned mother's attention to the new Child Friendly Lane. Have you ever seen what what's in there? Coloring books, candy, cookies, toys, stickers, and a huge assortment of items that just beg to be purchased by the little ones.

I really think the white cards are a sale gimmick that draws the attention of curious adults to peek at the merchandise and direct concerned mothers to the buy me that toy, mommymommy I want it now lane.

Here in Winter Haven we use the white cards too.

[Happy Monkey]

Originally Posted by Kitsune

You know what I think the white covers are about? They draw every concerned mother's attention to the new Child Friendly Lane. Have you ever seen what what's in there? Coloring books, candy, cookies, toys, stickers, and a huge assortment of items that just beg to be purchased by the little ones.

Heh, around here, the "kid friendly" aisles are the ones without the candy. Usually the candy is replaced with more magazines and trashy romance novels.