decency

Decency commonly refers to the quality of conforming to standards of propriety, modesty, and courtesy that a society or community considers appropriate for conduct, speech, or appearance. It is a normative concept that guides expectations about what is acceptable in public and private life.

The term derives from Latin decere, meaning "to be fitting or proper," and entered English through Old French and early modern usage, gaining associations with decency of character and appearance.

Decency is culturally contingent and historically variable, with norms that differ across cultures, subcultures, and generations. It covers behavior in public, dress, language, and media content. What is considered decent in one era or society may be judged indecent elsewhere.

In practice, decency interacts with law and policy, playing a role in broadcasting standards, public decency laws, and age ratings. It expresses a society’s idea of respect and welfare, but is not identical to morality or legality; something can be legally permissible yet deemed indecent by social norms, or vice versa.

Some scholars view decency norms as tools of social control that may suppress minority voices or enforce conformity. Others see them as promoting civility and protecting audiences, particularly children, in contested spaces such as online platforms and public broadcasting. The concept evolves with changes in media, technology, and values.

Related concepts include morality, ethics, propriety, civility, and censorship.