Censoring of Nursery Rhymes

This has probably been subject to discussion in the past. However, with a fresh example to add to the table, now might be a prudent time for fresh discussion.

BBC News

Not content with changing my baa baa black sheep to that of the rainbow variety, TPTB are now replacing my drunken pirate with a grumpy one...

"Drunken sailors" have been removed from the lyrics of a nursery rhyme in a government-funded books project.

But the Bookstart charity says the re-writing of What Shall We Do With the Drunken Sailor? has "absolutely nothing to do with political correctness".

Apparently, this latest move is to align the rhyme with reading events and to encourage parent-child interaction (replacing controversial terms with that of "wiggle" and "tickle").

Call me cynical, but I can't help but think that this is yet another manouvre aimed at bowing to the politically acceptable and wrapping kids up in cotton wool.

Last year, a story based on the Three Little Pigs fairy tale was turned down by a government agency's awards panel as the subject matter could offend Muslims.

Where it's headed and for what purpose, I welcome your input...

Be nice