Obscenity in today's world is a word that means many different things to many different people. Obscene is defined as that which is "disgusting to the senses", or "abhorrent to morality or virtue". Obscene material can include that which can incite lust, and also includes language regarded as taboo.
Laws regarding obscenity vary by state, and cover everything from the sale of pornography to minors to using profane language in public. Most state obscenity statutes generally outlaw the sale and distribution of pornography to minors, the showing of pornographic material in public, and child pornography. Each state has a different statute and may or may not include other obscenity laws, depending on the demographics of that state.
Obscenity laws are debated upon between persons; naturally each person has a different opinion of what is obscene or objectionable material. The main challenge lies in finding the "middle ground" in the field of the public's opinion, while maintaining integrity and providing safety for those who are not yet old or wise enough to deem what is obscene. The truth of the matter is that this "middle ground" is not easily identifiable. The "middle ground" in this scenario is closer to that of an extremely thin wire among the entire field of public opinions.
The previously mentioned "extremely thin wire" has already been placed, but some think that it borders on repressing their rights to freedom of speech, yet some think it borders on violating morality and overall decency.
Society as a whole naturally necessitates obscenity laws. These laws provide guidelines for those adults who might otherwise subject children to viewing or hearing material that could be disturbing to them. Furthermore, there is a certain amount of innocence that must be preserved in children. If children are exposed to profane language, nudity, or pornographic materials freely, or if they are themselves the subject of pornographic material, the innocence is ruined.
