Are we protecting them???

Everything that everyone does is "for the children."  Even some of the most outlandish political ideas have "the children" among their agendas.  Yes, we must consider a lot, even more so as the days go on, and our kin must be protected.  It's an instinct thing. Thank
Darwin. But what is protecting them if they can never learn on their own. 

Everyone knows that one day we are going to have to make decisions on our own and be responsible for what we do.  Perhaps that day does not need to be at the age of 4 but it has to come eventually.  Many people feel that we must "protect" our children from anything and everything, essentially shielding them from life itself.  The problem with this is that even though we ask our kids to develop right and wrong if they only see what is "right" or what is "wrong" then what is there to develop.  They have to see both.   

The issue more so comes up when the exposure levels increase at a faster rate than what the parents have planned for them. Life is full of unexpected things, having your son hear the word "shit" before you see fit may not always work in a parent's favor. Or say a kid is watching TV and comes across something not appropriate for them to see.  At that point the reasonable method to take would be to explain that it is inappropriate as the case comes.  Not blaming the television networks for having it on a station.  

All extremes aside I am not saying that people should walk up to every toddler they see and say "f*&k you!" But if they hear that then it is the time to educate.  "Protecting" may have just as much of a negative effect as promoting.  I have found and interesting article on Children and Profanity which shows how kids can be exposed to such things and the difficulties in curbing the First Amendment.  The article goes on to explain the efforts to keep "profanity", in its grayscale definition, in check.  Very interesting perspective but again, do not push the inappropriate onto children just be able to handle it when it comes, and it will come.