Naming a baby can turn into being one of the hardest decisions for parents, but what if you are only allowed to pick names from a list the government gives out? It sounds like some sort of "future world, dictatorship" type of government you'd see in a movie. But it's not. New Zealand has actually released a list of banned baby names. The list is actually quite extensive and some of the banned names that are include: Justice, Lucifer, Christ, Majesty, and Anal (really... You wanted to name your child Anal?!) New Zealand isn't the only country to ban names. however. Sweden has a naming law in place, and in 2009 the Dominican Republic thought about creating a similar law after parents begun naming their children after fruit! In the United States most of the name changes are among adults and the appeals court ruled against a man who wanted his name to be "F*** Censorship."
This article got me thinking... If a government can control what you can name your child, what else can they control? I don't feel that the naming law is too crazy, but I don't think the United States would be successful in passing a law like that. The U.S. is way too big on freedom and our freedom of speech, so a law of that nature may cause some riots. It's a little frightening to think how much control a government can have over their country. What are some of y'alls thoughts on this matter?
Posted by: Kara Rivas
I can't say that I disgree with a law disallowing you to name your child Anal (I mean, come on... who would do that to their child?!). Sometimes it is not such a bad thing to protect people from themselves. However, it is a little disconcerting that the government can have that control. I agree that a law such as this may have trouble passing in the United States, but when you figure that most voters are older, tradional people, I do not think it is impossible.
ReplyDeleteBasically, I think you should have the freedom to name your child Apple or Blue Ivy, or even Grapes if you want to, as strange as it may be. But, if New Zealand felt the need to ban the names Christ and Anal (and Lucifer!), then maybe not everyone has the mental capacity to do so. Its kind of like when you see warning signs that seem ridiculously obvious... if they made a warning sign for it, its because someone already made that mistake!
I completely agree with you! Some of the names were absolutely ridiculous (I'm just going to blame it on the mom's being out of it from just having a baby.) Nonetheless, people should be free to name their children what ever they please, but when the names become to absurd, I don't mind the government stepping in.
Delete-Kara Rivas
In the case of naming your child I feel as of those are the rights of the parents. However when the names tend to be leaning towards the absurd side the government has the right to step in in order to keep this from happening.
ReplyDeleteAre you serious a parent actually wanted to name their child Lucifer!!!
I agree, I don't know why the parents are trying to set up their kids to be bullied (kids are mean!) Nonetheless, I feel that the government does have the right to stop crazy names from getting passed.
DeleteAnd the Lucifer name is true...
-Kara Rivas
I agree, I don't think the government should have the right to ban certain names that a parent can pick. I mean realistically speaking, who really cares what your name is anyways? Once you grow up, you can always change it or just tell everyone to call you something else. That's what nicknames are for. I think if a parent wants to be ridiculous and call their child Anal, they should, maybe after the drugs wear off the mother will realize what a horrible mistake she made and go change it. :P
ReplyDeleteBanning names shouldn't have to occur. The parents not the government should take into account that names that you give your children can have some negative connotations. Maybe, some parents really don't care about their kids name.
ReplyDelete-Claire Real