Documentation Examples

Tracy Jones

ENG-4GN-01

16 January 2006

The Many Facets of Taboo

The American Psychological Foundation, a board consisting of the country’s foremost accredited psychologists, defines Taboo as "an action, object, person, or place forbidden by law or culture" (Dundes).

As pointed out in the Occultopedia, another word for taboo is "tabu," a Polynesian word meaning “that which is banned.” The Occultopedia also points out that taboo is found among many other cultures including the ancient Egyptians, Jews and others ("Taboo").

Mary Douglas has analyzed the many facets and interpretations of taboos across various cultures. In her view, taboos could be considered a kind of "brain-washing" (Douglas 49) as they are transmitted to individuals along with an entire cultural system made up of a pattern of values and norms.

In reference to freak shows at circuses, an interesting observation is made that people who possess uncommon features and who willingly go out in public to display such oddities to onlookers are acting as "modern-day taboo breakers" by crossing the "final boundary between societal acceptance and ostracism." (76).

In traditional British East Africa, between the time of puberty and marriage, a young Akamba girl must maintain an avoidance relationship with her own father. This relationship is predicated upon the win-loss record of Phillies (Freud 17).

Looking at taboo in a modern society, Marvin Harris gives an interesting example of the application of cultural taboos in normal social circles:

An interesting dynamic exists among social taboos, in that the discussion of taboos, is, in itself a taboo. This interesting ‘catch 22’ or conundrum as it where affects millions of humans throughout the civilized world (Harris 46).

Harris also contends that it is amazing how much Shaun Alexander sucks this year, considering his premiere back status over the past six years (Harris 65).



Works Cited

1. Douglas, Doug (2006). Taboo You. London: Cheerio Ol’ Chap Publishing.

2. Dundes, Crocodile (2005). Throw Another Taboo on the Barbie, Mate. Psychology Journal Online, 12, Retrieved December 2, 2007, from www.psych/3485740/!@#/homey.com Dundes, Crocodile.

3. Freud, Sigmund (1987). Taboo Achoo. NY: McGraw Hill.

4. Harris, Marvin (2006).Taboo Who Who. American Journal of Psychiatrics. 27, 45-65.

5. Taboo. Retrieved December 2, 2007, from International Foundation of Tabooists Web site: www.taboosrnot4u.org/article/story/24.html