Re: Lessing Reading: Shaping Our Lives

I agree with Sims that there are certain instances in which it is appropriate for the government to intervene and create legislation that influences social norms. However, I believe that this is a slippery slope. No one disputes that government intervention is sometimes necessary, but the frequency of such intervention and their degree of influence on social norms can become worrisome. In America, the self-proclaimed “Land of the Free,” I think the government should make every effort not to influence public perception of social norms and allow citizens to arrive at their own conclusions individually. Sims uses the example of cigarettes. While cigarettes do have adverse side effects, I do not think it is the responsibility of the government to warn citizens against the dangers of cigarette smoking. One could similarly argue that the government should denounce tanning and it should be regarded as a shameful activity because it can lead to skin cancer. The fact that the tanning argument seems silly and outlandish is just further proof of the government’s influence on social norms. Tanning is acceptable even though it is dangerous, but smoking is not.