Sex in America

[skylndrftr]

enough angry election news What do you think of the state of sex and sexual morals in this country. ABC recently published an article looking at this.

It included discussion of the anti-sex toy law in Alabama and said:Quote »The Alabama state senator who sponsored the legislation wouldn't talk. But Sprigg of Family Research Council shared his opinion.

"The government is protecting actually the people who patronize those shops because I don't think it's in their interest to use pornography and sex toys," he said.

But don't adults get to choose what's in their interest?

"We have to look at society's interest as well," Sprigg said. "Society does have an interest in people's private sexual behavior."

No, it doesn't, shopowner Williams countered. She believes private should mean private.

"They will have to pry this vibrator from my cold dead hand before I stop selling them," she said.[/quote]http://abcnews.go.com/TheLaw/S...age=1

IMHO what people dp in private is their business. Your welcome to your morales but when you choose to enforce them on me we have a huuuuuge problem. By allowign these things, I am not focing anything on you, you can simply choose not to take part.

[WDRacing]

enough angry election news What do you think of the state of sex and sexual morals in this country. ABC recently published an article looking at this.

It included discussion of the anti-sex toy law in Alabama and said:

http://abcnews.go.com/TheLaw/S...age=1

IMHO what people dp in private is their business. Your welcome to your morales but when you choose to enforce them on me we have a huuuuuge problem. By allowign these things, I am not focing anything on you, you can simply choose not to take part.

Agreed...don't tell me what I can or can't do IN MY house. Seriously...unless you want Anarchy...then mind your own business and run the country. Stay the F out of every ones personal life. 14 yr old gets prego, well her parents failed and we'll always need people to serve the fries.

I dare somebody to come into my house and take my Sexy Susy blow up doll

Sadly, this is the kind of right wing BS that gives the Republican party a very bad name. Mind your own business...check your religion at the door and don't tell me whats best for me.

That dude should be locked up for being the most UnAmerican person alive.

[Marenta]

While I agree that the lives of people in their own home should remain private, that doesn't mean that the system should stop monitoring what goes on.

Sex, movies, toys and things of that nature are harmless; unless they are with children under the legal age of consent, being used against the person's will, or it's being used in an immoral manner (i.e. the previously aforementioned statements.) The system should have a right to intrude when something illegal is going on, however, if they do make toys and pornography contraband, then it's just horrible all around.

But, keep in mind, Alabama is also the state that had the huge hullabaloo over the 10 Commandments being outside the courthouse. The liberals HATED the idea that any religious iconic symbol could have some precedence over our judicial system, if even in supposed terms, and not reality.

So, Alabama has it's ups and downs as to whether or not it's going to let Liberals or Conservatives have it's hay-day. I think they each take a stab at each other about every 5 years or so, and then they walk away limping, lick their wounds and then find something else to argue about later.

[rn79870]

Sooo, Brian, I take it you're against it?

[srellim234]

Marenta, I agree except for your phrase, "used in an immoral manner." Who are you, a city council, a state legislator, or the federal government to tell me what's "moral" or "immoral"? That decision is based on a very personal set of standards that have to do with religion, culture, etc. What goes on in private between sentient consenting adults is moral to them.

Unless these control freaks can prove that a sex toy used between consenting adults, behind closed doors, is causing irreperable harm to others, they have no business declaring the availability of such things illegal. Morality has nothing to do with it.

One of the major reasons our country is this messed up is the attempt to legislate and dictate based on watever some egomaniac decides is moral. You can't legislate morality.

[WDRacing]

I'm immorally using a sex toy right now!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

**** them...

[Marenta]

You can't legislate morality.

Actually, if you're sane, you know what's moral. If you were raised properly, you know what's moral. Shoving your d!ck into a 12 year old's mouth while they're duct taped it a chair is immoral. Filming 15 year olds getting ****ed by 40 year olds is immoral. Need I go on...?

[skylndrftr]

no ones disagreeing with you.

However child rape and legislating morality on those of another religion are quite different.

You mentioned the 10 commandments, well I personally don't mind 5-9 but I don't really want to see 1 outside of a courtroom as I enter because its distorts what justice in this country is about.

And my real issue is that many of god's own believers violate 3 on a regular basis for their own purposes.

However there was a lot more to that article than just the Alabama thing. We have many problems with this. Look at sexual education in this country for gods sake...

[Marenta]

Don't get me wrong, I don't think that they should restrict toys or paraphernalia at all. Hell, *shifty eyes* I can't name one woman that doesn't have something.

But, as far as the restrictions with private lives, if there's suspicion, I say break the door down and go RTF in. If you weren't doing anything wrong, sue the city for damage, that's what any other money grubbing American would do. And, if you were doing something wrong, well, then your *** deserves to get caught.

But, the base of this is.. What is immoral? Don't play me. You know what's immoral. I know what's immoral. Unless you're insane (legally, certifiably) or you weren't raised properly, or you have chemical imbalances; then you should KNOW what immoral is. We're all given a moral compass, and we choose to make our needle point other directions than due north.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not a Saint. I've done some low down dirty things for myself, for love, and for country. But, that doesn't mean I'm going to go out and shank a little old lady, or rape middle school children.

[skylndrftr]

I'll bet there are a lot of things we disagree with when it comes to morals Marenta. Like my morals include ont lieing to my children (once I have some) about health issues for the sake of some personal faith issue.

but your dragging the topic away from the topic at hand... Do you agree with stings targetted at homosexuals? Do you agree with notteaching medical based sexual education in schools? Do you agree with banning homosexuals from getting married?

I could go on, lets discuss the issue I brought up. If your right about everyone sharing morals then theres no point in having a discusison about it now is there?

[Marenta]

I'll bet there are a lot of things we disagree with when it comes to morals Marenta. Like my morals include not lieing to my children (once I have some) about health issues for the sake of some personal faith issue.

I have never lied to my child. I am brutally honest. And, I am agnostic. I do believe in something, but I put no deity in that figurehead position. My parents beat me (and I say beat) and taught me that lying and stealing were the two worst offenses that a human could commit. And, I still hold to that teaching, and I continue that learning with my son. However, I do not use the methods that my parents used with me.

But, you're dragging the topic away from the topic at hand... Do you agree with stings targeted at homosexuals? Do you agree with not teaching medical based sexual education in schools? Do you agree with banning homosexuals from getting married?

No. I am bisexual. In fact other than the man I am with now, my most successful relationship was with another female. I still love her to this day. But, she had her goals, and I had mine. We weren't meant to be. I am attracted to the opposite sex, I don't think that will ever change. And, as for the school system, I think that the medical portion of sexual education should be taught. Pregnancy, STDs, the Function, the Nitty Gritty. However, the important part, the human aspect should be kept within the house, and the parents or guardians should be the ones to interject that part. No child should be exposed to that prior to them hitting puberty, but that is sadly not the case anymore. We're accelerating our own children's sexual prowess by not discussing it earlier. And, as far as marriage between two consenting adults, I say let them go for it. What two people do of any sex between the sheets is before their god and themselves, and none other. Who are we to judge?The boundary gets drawn when they abuse it. And, I mean this across the board, not just homosexuals, or interracial couples, or any other crazy type couples you can think of. Immoral is Immoral regardless of the act or the presumption of correctness. A man raping a woman is just as wrong as a man raping a man. There is no bias in rape, or murder or any other immoral act.

I could go on, lets discuss the issue I brought up. If your right about everyone sharing morals then there's no point in having a discussion about it now is there?

Perhaps, but that's just the point, isn't it? To discuss. What they're doing is wrong. I agree. But, I always take the Devil's Advocate position, because I will always tend to see both sides of a story. Objective thinking is hard to come by these days.And, as a note, I had to fix some of your grammar. Well, I didn't *have* to.. I guess it was OCD or something. Dunno.

[srellim234]

Actually, if you're sane, you know what's moral. If you were raised properly, you know what's moral. Shoving your d!ck into a 12 year old's mouth while they're duct taped it a chair is immoral. Filming 15 year olds getting ****ed by 40 year olds is immoral. Need I go on...?

Take a step back and reread my post again. Your examples are outside of the "sentient consenting adults" I qualified that statement with.

A Muslim might believe that it's immoral to draw an image of Muhammed into a political cartoon. A Bible thumping egomaniac like a Jerry Falwell might think it's immoral for gays to get together, even in private behind closed doors. Heck, some of those Bible thumping egomaniacs insist that a wife performing oral sex on her husband is immoral.

There are differences in morality and immorality between groups. I believe legislation should protect parties from being injured, not forcing a person's version of morality on "sentient consenting adults".

In the case of these bans on adult toys, used by adults behind closed doors, just who IS the injured party?

[Marenta]

In cases such as you've stated, yes. To them it is immoral.

The first, their religion. Their religion prohibits pictorial displays of any kind. But, just like Christianity, they have their uber-conformist and then their ultra-flexible. It's hit or miss either way.

The second, the gays. All creatures exist in nature with a natural curiosity and tendency towards homosexuality. It's extremely rare that you will find any animal on the face of this planet that is either all homosexual or all heterosexual. And, when you look at a person who resists it so much, it's usually the case that they just don't understand the basest of human desires and they try to quash it by being super conservative. This usually tends to them getting caught with somebody of the same sex having fellatio, and only because they feel like they must dominate the other person.

The third, the oral sex. Just because a learned behavior is learned, doesn't make it right. A study was done with chimpanzees, where they were starved for nearly a week. Because, when you're hungry, that's when instinct kicks in, and rational behavior no longer works. They took one chimp, and placed it in a cage, in this cage, hanging from some string were some bananas. But, in order to get the bananas they had to stand on this platform, this platform was electrified. This chimp tried for hours and hours to get the bananas and got shocked every single time, until it no longer tried to get to the bananas. They then placed another chimp inside the cage. It too tried to get at the bananas. The first chimp watched it try a few times, and then after that it started trying to stop it from getting them. After trying to stop it, the chimp would then beat the other chimp up to prevent it from getting the bananas, until it too would no longer go for the bananas. Then they released a third chimp. It went straight for the bananas. This time both chimps went right for the third and beat the crap out of it. And, every time it went for the bananas, they would pummel it, until it would no longer go for the bananas. Then they took the first chimp out and replaced it with a fourth, different chimp. Turns out.. the second and third chimp continued the same beating up behavior. And, the cycle continues, and they don't even know why they're getting beat up, but they know that they're not supposed to touch the bananas.

My point is, just because you're taught something Puritanesque, doesn't make it right. And, we've made things so ambiguous over the years, we tend to pour our own cement shoes and jump into the ocean without the help of others. Sex, pure and simple, in all it's forms, is a wonderful thing. If you're married before the eyes of your Lord, and you want to take it that route, please, I dare you to stay happily married for the rest of your lives just doing missionary. But, like any other good piece of fiction out there, it's open to interpretation, and two consenting adults should have the right to choose what they want to do.

[confedup]

Is it OK for others to press forth their views onto others? When I have kids, I sure don't want them forced to deal with some gay rights parade where guys are walking around in thongs and women are walking around topless. I also would not want my daughter to think it was OK to get nude and flash herself to anyone who asks just because she saw it on a girls gone wild commercial or some movie and thought it was acceptable. You can teach your kids your POV all you want but if everyone else is letting filth (perspective) perpetrate every venue or media market then your hope for them to be morally responsible to themselves is diminished. Advocate for what you believe in but don't force it upon the public eye, and that includes hetero sex.

[skylndrftr]

My point is, just because you're taught something Puritanesque, doesn't make it right.

I understand and agree with what your saying. I feel like people are so unwilling to accept challenging of their own beliefs yet so willing to persecute others for theirs.

Is it OK for others to press forth their views onto others? When I have kids, I sure don't want them forced to deal with some gay rights parade where guys are walking around in thongs and women are walking around topless. I also would not want my daughter to think it was OK to get nude and flash herself to anyone who asks just because she saw it on a girls gone wild commercial or some movie and thought it was acceptable. You can teach your kids your POV all you want but if everyone else is letting filth (perspective) perpetrate every venue or media market then your hope for them to be morally responsible to themselves is diminished. Advocate for what you believe in but don't force it upon the public eye, and that includes hetero sex.

A gay rights parade doesn't force their views on anyone. Neither does the mere existence of pornography. If your weak enough in your viewpoint that any challenges to it must be prevented then you might want to reconsider. If you do find those things reprehensible and allow your chldren to be exposed then its your fault, not the fault of the media or the 'venue'. Again, it might be worth reconsidering your idea of who is forcing what on whom. And I might remind you that both of the examples you cited would easily fall under free speech, just like the confederate party and other racist groups.

[Marenta]

A gay rights parade doesn't force their views on anyone. Neither does the mere existence of pornography. If your weak enough in your viewpoint that any challenges to it must be prevented then you might want to reconsider. If you do find those things reprehensible and allow your chldren to be exposed then its your fault, not the fault of the media or the 'venue'. Again, it might be worth reconsidering your idea of who is forcing what on whom. And I might remind you that both of the examples you cited would easily fall under free speech, just like the confederate party and other racist groups.

I agree. I say let's have parades for every single thing we can have a parade for. Except for being a heterosexual anglo-saxon. Because, it's sexist-racist.And, just because you allow your children to be open to the idea of other walks of life doesn't mean that you force them to be that way. Children are a lot more accepting of each other than adults are and are more than willing to work together with one another and see past the color of skin or physical deformity, which is something that adults judge each other by on a regular basis. When my son is with my ex, he attends a Baptist church. I do not dispute him going, I actually agree with him going. But, when he's with me, I teach him about every single religion, even the lack of. I want my child to have the choice. To be worldly as well as godly. And arming our children with knowledge is something that we steal from them when we try to seclude them and protect them from what we consider "evil" and "corrupt."

[WDRacing]

I agree. I say let's have parades for every single thing we can have a parade for. Except for being a heterosexual anglo-saxon. Because, it's sexist-racist.

I'm not sure what you mean exactly here? Is being a WASP racist in your opinion?

And, just because you allow your children to be open to the idea of other walks of life doesn't mean that you force them to be that way. Children are a lot more accepting of each other than adults are and are more than willing to work together with one another and see past the color of skin or physical deformity, which is something that adults judge each other by on a regular basis.

I agree...but it isn't ok for my Son to want to put another boys pen15 in his mouth and I don't want him taught that either. This has nothing to do with color or deformity. Gay parades signify that it's ok to be gay...which is ok with me when I can follow behind with a "It's not ok to be gay" parade. Only then are we on even terms.

I'm no homophobe. The gays can do whatever they like, marry who the like and do as they please. Just don't endorse it to my children.

WD

[skylndrftr]

also relevant to our little debate here is a recent hearing in front of the House Armed Services Comittee which was regarding the militaries don't ask don't tell policy.

Elaine Donnelly was nice enough to attend and issued this opening statement (http://armedservices.house.gov/pdfs/Mil ... 072308.pdf) which I decided to quote a portion of below:

Quote »Inappropriate passive/aggressive actions common in the homosexual community, short of physical touching and assault, will be permitted in all military communities, to include Army 6and Marine infantry battalions, Special Operations Forces. Navy SEALS, and cramped submarines that patrol the seas for months at a time.The ensuing sexual tension will hurt discipline and morale, but commanders will not have the power to improve the situation. Individuals whose beliefs and feelings about sexuality are violated by the new policy will have no recourse. The only option will be to avoid or leave the service. Forced cohabitation with homosexuals in the military, 24/7, would be unfair, demoralizing, and harmful to the culture of the volunteer force, on which our national security depends.[/quote]of note is that almost exactly the same reasons were used to ban people of a different skin color, and women, from military service years ago.

[Marenta]

I agree...but it isn't ok for my Son to want to put another boys pen15 in his mouth and I don't want him taught that either. This has nothing to do with color or deformity. Gay parades signify that it's ok to be gay...which is ok with me when I can follow behind with a "It's not ok to be gay" parade. Only then are we on even terms.

What I meant by the having a parade for being a hetero anglo-saxon was that every single denomination would say that it was sexist-racist for a hetero anglo-saxon to be proud to be hetero and Caucasian. So, I am agreeing with what you say. Go behind the gay parade and have a parade that says it's Ok to not be gay, you have every right to do so. But, if you do, the gays will be very angry and say that you're impeding their rights because you're hurting their "feel bads" or something along those lines. So, if you're proud that you're white and straight, you can't advertise it. That was my point. That is the America we live in. Affirmative Action baby, yeah.

[WDRacing]

And that is why people like me have such a hard time accepting change. In short the Affirm retards are only hurting EVERYTHING...if everyone gets there chance to speak/perform...whatever then no one can complain. But if one ever gets the leg up...end all for all.

I don't care what anyone does in their own personal life...ever. Just shut the door. Heck I don't want a hot chick kissing a hot dude in public...it's simply NOT the thing I'm trying to get across to my son. But if a dude is holding a dudes hand and vice versa...I can explain things in MY perspective, which is the parents job. If parents would take their job seriously we would have a hell of alot less issues these days.

[AZhitman]

If your weak enough in your viewpoint that any challenges to it must be prevented then you might want to reconsider. If you do find those things reprehensible and allow your chldren to be exposed then its your fault, not the fault of the media or the 'venue'.

I usually appreciate your POV, but I gotta comment here - Don't take it too personal, but it's gonna sting a little:

Who the hell are you to tell a parent what's "their fault"? Are you a parent? Do you want to be out to a movie with your daughter and accidentally see some girl slobbing her BF's knob in the theater? Or walking through the mall and a trio of 13-year olds following you says, "I'd put it in her butt"... And yet their "freedom of speech" prevents you from breaking all three of their jaws (since that's exactly what needs to happen). Or you find out your 6th grade son was one of the 10 "targets" on the "blowjob scavenger hunt"?

Go ahead, since you know all about parenting. Let's hear it.

I'm offended that you even THINK you can profess to know what it's like being a parent... when even goddamn "Hanna Montana" is being spun into a sex object, yet I'm supposed to "be a good parent" and keep her from watching the Disney Channel... But if I shield her from too much, I'm making her a puritanical freak and hindering her socialization skills.

You can spout off about a great many things, but until you start dropping seeds and raising babies, stay the hell out of the realm of parenting. You've got no place in that discussion, friend. Period.

Whew. I feel better. And I still like ya.

[AZhitman]

p.s. The Alabama law is a joke.

[skylndrftr]

Whew. I feel better. And I still like ya.

Don't worry Greg, nothing personal just not a big fan of bald people...

I wrote out a bunch on your post but lost it to the back button. I'll rewite it tomorrow

I may be young but my opinions come not from raising children but from tolerating poorly raised ones that share my generation.

[C-Kwik]

I agree...but it isn't ok for my Son to want to put another boys pen15 in his mouth and I don't want him taught that either.

Homosexuality existed throughout human history. The bible itself acknowledges this as it deems homosexuality a sin (which wouldn't be necessary if there weren't any homosexuals then). Being that up until more recently that homosexuality has become more accepted, it was pretty much repressed into seclusion. This might imply that its not something one learns by seeing but is something a homosexual feels inside. Probably very similar to the feeling you get when you see a good looking girl.

This has nothing to do with color or deformity. Gay parades signify that it's ok to be gay...which is ok with me when I can follow behind with a "It's not ok to be gay" parade. Only then are we on even terms.

The problem is that neither party is on even footing. Sure, have your parade too. But give them equal rights and unconditional acceptance. Ironically, if that occurred, noone would have any real reason for a parade as its really a statement they make to be a large voice for their civil rights movement. Think of it as similar to Dr. King's march on Washington...

I'm no homophobe. The gays can do whatever they like, marry who the like and do as they please. Just don't endorse it to my children.

Say your son ends up being gay despite not having any exposure to it and being brought up with the understanding it is wrong. How would you respond?

As for your children, its not like they are trying sell "gay" to your kids. What they are selling is their civil rights (or lack there of). I believe it would simply be a matter of fact if society were unconditionally accepting of gays. Give them no reason to fight and argue and they actually might not. But alas, the more parents perpetuate the notion that any minority group is lesser, then the minority groups will continue to feel the need to "express" themselves.

[confedup]

A gay rights parade doesn't force their views on anyone. Neither does the mere existence of pornography. If your weak enough in your viewpoint that any challenges to it must be prevented then you might want to reconsider. If you do find those things reprehensible and allow your chldren to be exposed then its your fault, not the fault of the media or the 'venue'. Again, it might be worth reconsidering your idea of who is forcing what on whom. And I might remind you that both of the examples you cited would easily fall under free speech, just like the confederate party and other racist groups.

Nice. So in your opinion, what these people or groups do in public overreaches the freedom that others have? That's pretty much what you are saying. Should a school bus or group of kids going to a museum or kids who happen to live in the area accidently witness their display it is the parents fault. Nice way to pass the buck. Effectively, a small percentage of people are forcing what some would see as "immoral actions" upon others under the banner of free speech and in your opinion those who do not want themselves nor their kids to see it should pay more attention to what these groups are doing in order to avoid them, else it is their fault and not the groups who are walking around with their tits hanging out, groping each other or wearing assless jeans and such. That's bull****. Same goes for TV and movies. Cartoons with sexual innuendo (imagine if cartoons were being used to promote smoking) , teen stars being honored for getting pregnant and non-R rated movies showing nudity only for the sake of it is crap and has nothing to do with free speech. No wonder so many kids of our generation are screwed up because you all believe that the end justifies the means.

They have the right to protest and press for change, I'm all for that, but their rights stop where mine begin and no matter how much you want to spin it as the parents fault or the schools fault or it being racism, that's the bottom line.

[WDRacing]

I'm not saying he won't be exposed to it. That's impossible, but he will be taught that it's wrong. What he chooses on his own is his choice to make. But it's my job as a parent to teach him whats right and wrong. My main point was that I don't care if you're gay, just don't be making out in public, but that goes for hetero people to. I don't want my kid seeing you dry humping your gf in Walmart anymore then two dudes kissing.

WD

[C-Kwik]

I agree on the PDA issue, but its not an argument that is anymore pertinent to the issue of homosexuality than it is to heterosexuality.

But again, what would you do if your son told you he was gay? I'm curious...

[WDRacing]

What is or isn't pertinant depends on the individual. I'm not trying to talk you into anything, I'm just expressing how I feel.

[skylndrftr]

Nice. So in your opinion, what these people or groups do in public overreaches the freedom that others have?

Yes...of course, the same as protests or (shocker!) parades by the KKK/confederate party

Quote » That's pretty much what you are saying. Should a school bus or group of kids going to a museum or kids who happen to live in the area accidently witness their display it is the parents fault. Nice way to pass the buck. [/quote] fault is irrelevant and is not what I said. Its your responsiblity as asparent to explain these things and qualify them. If you don't want to have them exposed to things you don't like just shield them from everything.

Quote »Effectively, a small percentage of people are forcing what some would see as "immoral actions" upon others under the banner of free speech and in your opinion those who do not want themselves nor their kids to see it[/quote] again, no one is forcing morals on you. You are seeing these things and are more than welcome to decide for yourself what you find moral or immoral. No one is stopping you from expressing your opinion, why do you insist on stopping others from expressing theirs? if seeing things is having them forced on you, then I imagine you have bought every consumer item that has ever been advertised to you on TV? If so, can I borrow one of your many cars?

Quote »should pay more attention to what these groups are doing in order to avoid them, else it is their fault and not the groups who are walking around with their tits hanging out, groping each other or wearing assless jeans and such. That's bull****.[/quote] I like my assless jeans...

Quote »Same goes for TV and movies. Cartoons with sexual innuendo (imagine if cartoons were being used to promote smoking) , teen stars being honored for getting pregnant and non-R rated movies showing nudity only for the sake of it is crap and has nothing to do with free speech. No wonder so many kids of our generation are screwed up because you all believe that the end justifies the means.[/quote] If your seeing something on TV or in a movie you made a willing choice to view it. If you don't like it you can either leave it off or leave the theater. Why is it your place to choose what I find offensive? Maybe I don't think its crap. Your shot at 'my generation' is without merit given that 'my generation' is still in the consumer rather than creator role of the content your referencing at this point in our lives. Your generation is actually the manufacturer of this content

Quote »They have the right to protest and press for change, I'm all for that, but their rights stop where mine begin and no matter how much you want to spin it as the parents fault or the schools fault or it being racism, that's the bottom line.[/quote] Your rights include the right to disagree and the right to dislike and the right to hate them if you wish. Your rights also include choosing to not view things you find offensive. My rights include viewing things I don't (and heres the kicker) even if you do. Thats the amazing part about America

[skylndrftr]

As promised AZ…

Not being a parent, I am probably taking a more theoretical rather than practical viewpoint Obviously, I am not addressing you as a parent but parents and parenting in general

Who the hell are you to tell a parent what's "their fault"? Are you a parent?

No I am not a parent (yet) but as with all things, I think that these situations are a good opportunity. An opportunity to denote how foolish and/or how dangerous the behaviors you describe below are.

Quote »Do you want to be out to a movie with your daughter and accidentally see some girl slobbing her BF's knob in the theater? Or walking through the mall and a trio of 13-year olds following you says, "I'd put it in her butt"... And yet their "freedom of speech" prevents you from breaking all three of their jaws (since that's exactly what needs to happen). [/quote]Not something I want to see in a movie theater…but that’s a sanitary issue among other things. That is inappropriate conduct for a public venue as well, can’t argue that. As for the trio of 13 year olds, well, again opportunity to explain why you don’t behave like that. Because someday those kids will have a job and say something like that and will look just as dumb as they do then (and realize it). Freedom of speech doesn’t prevent you from telling them off, might be a valuable lesson for them. If they (likely they will) want to be d!ck about it, I’m sure you would agree it shows a lack of affective parenting, and its doubtful it ends at their language.

Quote »Or you find out your 6th grade son was one of the 10 "targets" on the "blowjob scavenger hunt"?[/quote]I’m a little confused on this one, I get the feeling I missed something on the news about this…is it as simple as it seems?

Quote »Go ahead, since you know all about parenting. Let's hear it.[/quote]See below

Quote »I'm offended that you even THINK you can profess to know what it's like being a parent... when even goddamn "Hanna Montana" is being spun into a sex object, yet I'm supposed to "be a good parent" and keep her from watching the Disney Channel... But if I shield her from too much, I'm making her a puritanical freak and hindering her socialization skills.[/quote]Don’t be offended, I don’t profess to know what its like (example: I know very little about Hanna Montana) but I know what I see and know how I feel and how I plan on raising my (eventual) children and that’s what I am talking about here. Obviously 14 year old kids (Hanna Montana?) should not be sex object because it isn’t healthy for them. However this country is so flipped on its head about sexuality that this is where the problem comes into play. Its not something that is talked about. I will tell my kids that acting in that way at that age is not ok. However they will know that the human body (any body) is not something to be ashamed of. They will also know that sex and sexuality are not bad things either, if one is ready. All of sex is about responsibility. They will know that people have other sexual orientations from theirs and they will know that I feel that’s perfectly fine and that others don’t. They will know about sexually transmitted diseases and birth control because the two are not exclusive. They will know that sex and relationships are both extremely stressful and also extremely rewarding in whatever form is right for them. They will know how I feel and they will know that I am always their to talk with, beyond just my opinion, call me a hippy liberal non-parent if you wish It is something that I believe is best dealt with by discussing it in a responsible and appropriate manner. I can’t directly comment on why Hanna Montana is a Disney sex object (I’m not even really sure what she is), but if you don’t like something give a reason. Turning it off isn’t really the answer. Nothing is ever gained by limiting the flow of information one receives. Explaining it is much better IMHO. An extreme to either way is a bad thing, but giving your children the information they need to make an informed decision for themselves (when age appropriate) is never the wrong answer. And I define age appropriate as when they ask. That would include your viewpoint. This country has a very nervous relationship with sex and I think it causes more harm than good.

Quote »You can spout off about a great many things, but until you start dropping seeds and raising babies, stay the hell out of the realm of parenting. You've got no place in that discussion, friend. Period.[/quote]As you have probably noticed place or not I always have an opinion 

I would point out though that having been parented, and seen others parented, I have seen a wide variety of techniques. Parents who let their children do completely as they choose no matter what their age. And parents who refer to their 22 year old son’s homosexuality as ‘something he will grow out of’. Neither of these are appropriate to me. I know many people struggle with the relatively drastic changes between generations, but while the media has changed the underlying discussion is still the same.