Who Cares? Social Taboos We Kicked to the Curb

We’ve become a culture that no longer “lives by the rules” so to speak. We like choices…and lots of ’em. Just take a look at our television programming. Whether we have satellite or cable, anything less than 300 channels is basically considered Amish. Music…we have free access to any song imaginable through sites like Spotify or Pandora. The same holds true for our life choices. The times, they are a’changin and we as a society are changing with them.

With these changes, there is a growing trend to push the limits on what is considered socially acceptable. There will be some taboos that will always be a part of life like cannibalism and necrophilia…and yeah, we’re good with that. Others, however, have become more mainstream over time. Let’s take a look at some of the more popular taboos that have fallen by the wayside in the name of evolution.

girls scene

Gratuitous Sex Scenes on Television

It ain’t your momma’s prime time anymore! Gradually we have become desensitized to what we are seeing on television, especially when it comes to sex. Everyone knows sex sells, and no one knows that better than the producers of the hit HBO show “Girls”.  Allison Williams’ scene in the recent season premiere left nothing to the imagination. While some labeled the scene as “shocking”, “controversial” and “graphic”, others said that it was much ado about nothing.

Being Gay

I don’t know about you, but when I was growing up in rural northeastern Ohio we weren’t taught about homosexuality. At all. Ever. It wasn’t even mentioned. It was one of those things that, when someone said something about it at school, you went home and looked it up in the dictionary. (Yes, I was in school long before the internet and Google, shut up!) This was probably one of the most taboo subjects on the planet at the time, but not so today. Not only is the topic openly discussed in just about every forum imaginable, more and more states are now making gay marriage legal.

 

Interracial Marriages

There was a time in our country when it was thought scandalous for a white woman to be romantically involved with an African-American man and vice versa. Over the years, and especially after racial integration took place in our country, more and more people became accepting of such an arrangement. In today’s society, it is quite common to see interracial couples. Another step in the right direction for mankind. Thank goodness!

 

Ugly Divorces

While every divorce doesn’t end amicably, more and more people are making it a priority to continue a civil relationship with their ex, especially where children are involved. Just look at Bruce Willis and Demi Moore. They have actually been seen at dinner with their significant others and their girls on occasion. Nice! And more good news, fewer and fewer marriages are ending in divorce. This is mainly because people are waiting longer to get married, therefore they are more mature and established in their lives. Seems as if peace on earth may not be as far out of reach as we may have thought!

So what do you think? What are some social taboos that you are glad to see go in 2015? Leave me a message in the comments section and let’s talk!

 

Teresa Warner is a book junkie and self-proclaimed pun master. Always one for a good play on words, Teresa has been writing since she was 12 years old. She enjoys creating thought-provoking pieces that ask the tough questions but also loves a bit of light-hearted humor. Growing up as the youngest in a large family, Teresa used writing as a way to set herself apart from others. A wife and mother of 7, Teresa enjoys spending time with her family and encouraging others to reach for their dreams. Teresa is a graduate of The University of Toledo and holds a bachelors degree in Exercise Science with a concentration in Cardiac Rehabilitation. She works from home as a freelance writer and virtual assistant. To learn more about Teresa and her work, visit her website at http://teresawarner.com.