> It's not puritanism, as at least that had some moral basis. This is plain totalitarianism under a fascist banner. The associated forms of indoctrination and the inevitable propaganda makes people think they should be offended when they see this as "it must be bad", resulting in the cycle continuing.I'm fairly certain it is puritanism. Generally speaking it's the result of people thinking it is an appropriate role of law to enforce morality in society, rather than simply to prevent harm.
The older generations, who by and large decide on the legislation, are out of touch with the younger generations who have been brought up in a broadly secular, liberal social landscape, wherein people are less prudish, popular culture is far more sexualised and provocative, etc.
Young people can't quite get their heads around the arbitrary restrictions on their actions — why they are not allowed to say certain words, why they cannot use certain drugs, etc. — and you can't blame them. Dogmatism is everywhere.
> Editing to add: in my youth I called a policeman a "fascist cunt" and was told off. I was a) a couple of decades early and b) punished appropriately.
It depends on the officer and the context, but today that would probably secure you a Section 5 arrest.