Holbrook Jackson, a British journalist and writer, once said, "Fear of corrupting the mind of the younger generation is the loftiest form of cowardice." Those who ban Rampin' Shop on radio and television are likely to leave a gap that will be filled by even more sexually explicit lyrics. Young people may also turn increasingly to their iPods and to YouTube videos for the songs they want to hear.

The lyrics of the 1950s song Night Food might sound like a nursery rhyme today. However, it generated the kind of condemnation that led to it being one of the biggest hits of the era.

In addition, D.H. Lawrence's Lady Chatterley's Lover and Gustave Flaubert's Madame Bovary - both banned for sexually explicit lyrics - were in high (if secret) demand among the young in the 1950s.

In the bible

The censors could have a lot of work to do if they seek to sanitise material likely to reach the ears or eyes of the young. For example, the Bible and the works of Shakespeare are held in high esteem. However, some of the stories in these writings could raise valid questions about explicit sexual content. For example, Lot's daughters seduced their father by getting him drunk, and some Shake-spearean characters cross-dress, simulate sex on stage, and use sexually explicit language.

In my view, censorship will do little more than increase the popularity of songs such as Rampin' Shop. We might need to decide whether the lyrics are the problem, or the lyrics are a sign of some deeper, more complex problem that can't be solved by censorship. We may need the courage to face whatever is corrupting the minds of the young.

I am, etc.,

YVONNE MCCALLA SOBERS

sobersy@yahoo.com