Ignorance is not Bliss

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Recommended: Effects of censorship on society

The United States was built on the foundation of freedom. This freedom included the right to express one’s views without prosecution or limitation. This paved the way for the freedom to learn and pursue educational achievements. However, there are times when learning becomes halted in the interest of “appropriateness.” This is in reference to censorship. Censorship, by definition, is “the forbidding, blocking, limiting, or obstructing access to information for whatever reason.”(p248)1 This form of interference can prevent awareness and stint intellectual growth. Therefore, censorship should be used sparingly in education without political or religious motivation because the abuse of censorship negatively affects our education as a whole.

One problem America faces with the abuse of censorship is students become misinformed about certain issues. Take for example, the topic of sex education. In the 1990’s, there was a program that was sponsored by the government called “Sex Respect.” This program informed high-school students that they must remain abstinent until marriage; otherwise they will harm themselves and other people. “…Pre-marital sex can lead to shotgun weddings, cervical cancer, poverty, substance abuse, a diminished ability to communicate, and death.”2 Not only did this program fail to accurately depict the nature of safe sex, but it censored the information that discussed condoms, birth control, and other preventative measures. While remaining abstinent is ideal, it is not the only option to remain healthy. This kind of extremism only serves to hurt the students in the end. In reality, there will be several students who will become sexually active. It would be better for them to know that there are other safe alternati...

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...=false&prodId=OVIC&action=e&windowstate=normal&catId=&documentId=GALE%7CEJ3010121273&mode=view&userGroupName=scccld_main&jsid=c89f6cf9815fc3c4a81eed34c17de879. Accessed October 1, 2011.

5. Evolution & creationism court cases - History of evolution court cases. New York Times Company. 2011. http://www.about.com Accessed September 25, 2011.

6. Top 10 banned books. New York Times Company. 2011. http://www.about.com Accessed September 25, 2011.

7. Kumar K. St. Louis U. cancels speech by activist David Horowitz - School says it was concerned that the event could be viewed as attacking another faith. St. Louis Post Dispatch. October 3, 2009. Available from: Newsbank. http://infoweb.newsbank.com.stlcopisa.stlcop.edu/iw-search/we/InfoWeb?p_product=NewsBank&p_theme=aggregated5&p_action=doc&p_docid=12B2A9378BA990B0&p_docnum=1&p_queryname=9 . Accessed September 25, 2011.

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