Songs and Foul Language: An Opinion

Having recently stumbled across another reader's letter to in last month's edition, I am writing to inform you of my severe disagreement with the sentiment that songs with foul language have a negative influence on society. Whilst I remain entirely in accordance with the idea that we are all entitled to our own opinions, I wish to distance myself completely from the notion that these songs are the cause of many of today's social problems.

Not too long ago I found myself a little stranded and isolated in my own life. It was only through the means of music that I regained my strength and willpower to fight on, through the struggles and strives we all must conquer in our day to day life. To think that we should try to censor this art-form appears both illogical and unfair no? What would that solve? Without these aforementioned 'foul words' the music will not be the same and consequently neither will it's effect! Instead of standing by and criticizing these song makers, perhaps we can appreciate their art and attempt to overlook some of their vices.

Since Martin Luther's famous words upon the subject of freedom of speech, many people have used music as a way to channel their emotions. Of course there will be times that these same emotions can spill over and cause artists to use foul language, yet what is the harm in that? Did anyone force you to listen to that song? Ultimately we are all responsible for the choices that we make and parents have an important role to play in protecting their children from things which they deem dangerous. I don't however believe that it is our place to tell them what those things are. Nor, would I suggest, should we do so. Would you tell a stranger when to eat or sleep? We must all consider our own positions within society.

I do,however, understand that many people will argue these songs will, most obviously, have a negative influence on young children. To some extent I can concur with that statement but I am fairly confident