Social Taboos

Social Taboos

Abstract

This article aims to illustrate various facts about social taboos. Social taboos are the forbidden areas or unwritten laws of human society that act as powerful agents of control. The article shows how taboos differ in various cultures of the world and how these can be compared to the ones existing in Pakistani culture. It also explains the factors that contribute to social taboos making these a crucial agent for the survival of an individual in a community. The positive and negative features of cultural taboos are described at the end. The article concludes that education and critical approach can modify the taboos that are based on prejudice and ignorance, to suit present situation

Taboos are forbidden actions, ideas or words based on different religious beliefs, traditions, ideologies or social customs. In Sociology; “A taboo is a strong social prohibition relating to any area of human activity or social custom that is sacred and forbidden based on moral judgment. Breaking a taboo is usually considered objectionable or abhorrent in a society.” (Merriam-Webster’s 1995).

Taboos can vary from society to society. Something that is prohibited in one region, community or culture can be acceptable in another. Sex education, family planning, sexual harassment of women and children, women emancipation, homosexuality, adultery and prostitution, and use of offensive language or gestures are some example of taboos that exist in majority of societies. According to Freud (1913) incest and patricide are the only two universal taboos but modern research has found that no taboo presently is known to be universal.

Taboos are not only based on the behaviours that are too profane but also on those that are too sacred for the ordinary human beings to undertake. For example, In Pakistani, Muslim society Holy Quran should be handled with the deepest respect. Handling of the...