Wow this thread sure did change topics!
I think I can speak from a perspective no one else here can, as the parent of teenagers. Teenagers who have been watching Southpark since elementary school. Sure it's much worse than it was back then, but it doesn't matter now since they are older.
When my son was 9 in the 4th grade, he was disturbed to find out things no 9 year old should. Not from Southpark, but from 'family life' at school. They described in great unnecessary detail (for fourth graders) sex, homosexuality, and masturbation. These things do need to be discussed, but not at 9.
Yes, I know the first thing you're thinking- my daughter wears fuck you bracelets. Or wore, she doesn't any more. But I she is so shy and embarrassed about boys, she won't even answer the door if one comes to the door. She ran when one hugged her at school. I would guarantee she isnt' doing anything sexual.
I am very overprotective of my kids. They aren't allowed to roam the streets or go certain places most kids are. I worry all the time. I never even worked when they were little because I didn't trust any babysitters. I know where they are and with who at all times. We are very, very close. When parents try to be too strict, kids don't feel they can tell you their problems. You become distant. That leads to kids looking elsewhere for answers to their questions, or for advice.
My parents were so prudish and embarrassed over s-e-x that you'd be shocked they ever had any kids. I wanted to be more open with my kids, but they were too embarrassed! They cover their ears and sing when I tried to tell them things I thought they should know. Somehow, they all knew everything, and said all kids did. But, knowing and doing are two different things. Sometimes knowing is better than finding out by doing. Just because you know or have heard it doesn't mean you are a bad kid and your parents stink and you're going to go run do everything you see on tv.
My kids not only watched Southpark but Beavis and Butthead too. All they did was laugh. They are honestly, not just bragging here, the best kids I know. Some of the holier than thou parents who whipped their kids for saying damn and forbid those shows have kids who are shoplifting, having sex, and taking drugs. Many have been expelled from school. My kids are guilty of none of these things .How do I know? They are rarely with anyone other than me, except at school, unless it's a friend I know and know the parents well.
Cuss words are just words. Yes my kids say some. So do my husband and I. I don't think this makes you a bad or ill bred person, as long as you are tactful and smart enough to know when and when not to use them. Like when you come to a forum, you don't type fuck unless you know you've seen it before and you know it's accepted. Same with people and places. My kids know there are 'cool' people and 'touchy' people and you have to find out which type someone is. Sooner or later, cussers will cuss in front of you, and you know it's okay, but never do it first. I have elderly relatives, and the kids have teachers who would swear my kids didn't know any. You have to think first. When I say words, I mean words used as exclaimations, not vulgar, graphic descriptions or comments.
More than words are actions. I have seen very destructive, cruel, evil children who were drug to church 3 times a week and spanked for saying damn. Strain a gnat and swallow a camel. It's all in the relationship between the parents and the child, and the closer it is, and the more trust there is, the better it will be. I'm proud of my Southpark watchers, and I have nothing to be ashamed of.
One more thing. When you're a kid, you think of things in a different way. When I was little, I remember seeing Flip Wilson change to a dress and become Geraldine. I never thought, he's gay, I thought it was funny he looked like a lady! When I heard people say Elvis had to be shown on TV only from the waist up because of his dancing, I thought his dancing must have been rotten! If I were a kid and saw the gerbil up the butt thing on Southpark, it would never enter my mind to think anything sexual about it. I'd have thought it was a stick it up your butt where the sun don't shine type of thing and laughed. Sometimes dirty minds get worked up and worried over things that sail right over heads of little kids with no damage. It's like the Bono F word thing. People make too big an issue over things. If you know your kid, and they know you, you don't have nearly as much to fear as people who have scared their kids away with too much harsh discipline (I'm not talking about common sense safety stuff) I have seen this both in my growing up years and my kids.' It's substance, not just a set list of rules that makes the difference with kids.