Porn vs Horror

[Carnut]

Saw that BOR has had some issues recently on Horror movies.

I can tell most folks here are dead set against Porn, but and from some comments on occasion that Horror movies aren't considered all the bad and to some somewhat enjoyable.

Guess I'm really weird, I've always considered Horror movies to be a much worse art form for the viewing public than Porn.

Anyone else want to comment?

[A's Fever]

Saw that BOR has had some issues recently on Horror movies.

I can tell most folks here are dead set against Porn, but and from some comments on occasion that Horror movies aren't considered all the bad and to some somewhat enjoyable.

Guess I'm really weird, I've always considered Horror movies to be a much worse art form for the viewing public than Porn.

Anyone else want to comment?

Can you elaborate on the bolded text, Car?  Not quite sure I understand what you mean.

[Jacqueline]

I could be wrong, but what I think Carnut is trying to say is that Horror movies with their gore, violence etc can be more damaging to the public (especially children and young teens) then some pornography movies.

Often you hear about awful deeds being carried out in real life and they are mirror images of what someone may have seen in a movie..

DId I get that almost right, Carnut?

[pdh3]

I personally don't watch either one. I think both could be damaging, and they share some of the same characteristics that cause problems.

[Carnut]

Yes Jacque that's the way I see it.

Though my experience is somewhat limited, of all the Porn movies that I have seen, only one actually had a 'rape'  depicted and it was a 'classic' of the genre.

'Behind the Green Door' is considered a classic and one of Marilyn Chambers first films. In it one could say she was raped.

All other Porn films I have seen have had only what can be described as willing participants who all seem to be enjoying the activites.

Most all Horror films that I have seen have depicted rapes and various atrocities that are almost indescribable. To me a Horror film would be cause for a lot more concern to troubled minds than any porn flick.

[A's Fever]

Yes Carnut, you raise a very good point.  And, horror movies, usually rated R, are much more accessible to young people than porn.  That is, it is widely accepted and they don't have to sneak around to procure it.  

But when I think of horror, I am thinking of Texas Chainsaw, The Omen, The Ring, The Grudge, stuff like that.  I didn't realize that rapes are part of this genre. I've always allowed my kids to see these movies when they were old enough; I know that between the ages of 14 - early twenties or so young people love to scare themselves silly.  I never really thought it harmful in moderation, but you make an excellent point to ponder.

[Anna]

Carnut,
I agree with you that horror movies with all their gore can be just as damaging as porn.  However, you need to update your porn experience, haha, just kidding.  The majority available I have found to my horror on the internet is very violent.

The normal sex of years ago is missing and has been replaced with a tremendous hostility toward women.  Note even in the BangBus genre, the female is tricked into the bus and then held more or less captive then tricked again on her release.  Lots of rape, torture, bondage and I did not encounter much that looked anything close to normal.

And before Natalee disappeared, I never thought I would be online looking at porn sites to figure out how they work because I do think these kids she was with have an interest in making their own vids.  It's disgusting and I think dehumanizing to women and should ALL be illegal.  And there should be stricter warning on the horror gore, too.  Porn today seems only at the least coercive and exploitive at best.  At the worst it is mimicking snuff films, gangrape, etc.

Even my little dogs get upset at horror films with a lot of screaming.  Same with action adventure with beating up people, explosions, etc.  They know that is not right.  Makes you wonder what is wrong with us that we find this kind of sick stuff entertaining!  At the least it desensitizes young minds to violence and the concept of hurting another human being.  And some warped minds seem to come to prefer it to reality and off they go.

.

[Carnut]

Fraid I've never had the courage to check out porn on the net.

I'm sure most anything can be found on the net, from atom bomb building instructions to actual beheadings.

I do not consider the net to actually be child rated. I really think there ought to be a child rated net for kids only.

Does look like Anna is recovering from her illness and back to posting, nice to see you back at it.

[nonesuche]

I find it all disturbing, along with PC games like the notorious Grand Theft Auto. Over time digesting and watching these horror and porn events and pimpin games, has to lessen your resistance and increase your acceptance in some way.

[Anna]

None,
I agree that those violent games should be included in the list of things that desensitize our young people and teach them others are expendable.  They give the kid the actual chance to be the one to pull the trigger or slash and bash via sometimes rather realistic graphics.

And it all adds up and raises the ante so that to get and hold their attention, things have to be increasingly more violent all the time.  Yet we know full well that all these things including violent music have been linked to actually acting out by certain individuals.

And how one knows when one person will be the one to be adversely effected, I don't know but think maybe as a society it would be a good thing to find out.

.

[Carnut]

None,
I agree that those violent games should be included in the list of things that desensitize our young people and teach them others are expendable.  They give the kid the actual chance to be the one to pull the trigger or slash and bash via sometimes rather realistic graphics.

And it all adds up and raises the ante so that to get and hold their attention, things have to be increasingly more violent all the time.  Yet we know full well that all these things including violent music have been linked to actually acting out by certain individuals.

And how one knows when one person will be the one to be adversely effected, I don't know but think maybe as a society it would be a good thing to find out.

.

Well, don't know about society, but it sure looks like some parents ought to get around to parenting and deciding what is acceptable for their kids to see.

[Anna]

Carnut,
It's not that easy.  You can't follow them around 24/7.  I remember when Rambo first came out, I wouldn't allow mine to watch it because it was Rated R but next day at school after it's first airing on TV, they came home with the script pretty well memorized.

At least all the profanity.

When they go to friends houses, they see everything and it is on TV and no one can just sit and watch what the kids are watching all the time as parents have to work and run the home, etc. so it is very difficult to keep tabs on TV plus the actual content of some violent games is not evident from the description on the packaging.

The lyrics to some rap music is atrocious but I can't even understand half of what they are saying.  Kids can copy it from the radio onto tapes and now CD's and it is hard to listen to everything they do.  It would be a full time job to do that with one but add two more and you do the best you can but you're outnumbered and outgunned.

On the way home from church one Sunday two of mine shared their teacher telling them all about genital warts and they were 9 and 12!  I did voice objection but she had the blessing of the priest and they both told me all about the importance of sex education.  Guess that is a part of the Catholic version--cold fear, lol!  Plus guilt.  

So its everywhere and I do think parents need a tremendous amount of help from society and the community in protecting very young children from exposure to too much too soon.  Parents can make the rules but enforcing them is just about impossible especially in multi-kid households.  While you are keeping tabs on one, the other two are up to no good!  

.

[nonesuche]

Anna-
As always you raise many good points. I do think Tipper Gore tried to make a sincere dent in the music promoting violence, but the computer games seem so big an industry that no one can stop it? Now they put labeling on the games such as ratings but kids pirate copies to one another so I think that's a band-aid at best.

Carnut-
I was defamed for refusing to buy my son a Ninetendo or a Playstation until he was 12. Kids would flat refuse to come over to play? I kid you not. I agree, when and where do the parents begin to parent? I tire of being the bad guy and I also have felt quite alone, in my attempts to govern what he is exposed to.

[LouiseVargas]

Madonna always said her shows were so sexual in order to make a point ... that it's ok to put violence on TV, movies and games ... but sex is a big no-no.

[LouiseVargas]

Anna,

Have you read or heard of Hillary Clinton's book (1996) "It Takes a Village"? I would never have read this book but my daughter did and recommended it. This was way before she had children.

The first paragraph: "Children are not rugged individualists. They depend on the adults they know and on thousands more who make decisions every day that affect their well-being. All of us, whether we acknowledge it or not, are responsible for deciding whether our children are raised in a nation that doesn't espouse family values but values family and children."

What she is saying that there is a vast network of people (besides the parents) who influence our children's lives. School teachers, neighbors, parents of your children's friends, the school environment, relatives, doctors, dentists, etc.

When your kids go to friends' houses, those parents should be keeping tabs on them. If they don't, they are not part of YOUR village and it's your choice whether you want them to go over there anymore.

One has to start early. You can't look to the village for help when the child is a teenager. It's too late by then.

My neighbor Aram does not go to work for money. He does his work at home. He walks the kids across the street to the school so they arrive safely. When school is out, he walks them back. Then they all sit down and he helps with the homework and gives them fruit for snacks. When the homework is done, then they can ride their scooters, etc. All the old grandmothers and grandpas also look after the children until the parents come home from work. Aram's wife works at Los Angeles City College and complains that he doesn't work. She misses the point that he IS the village in our apartment building.

Some people don't marry but they are able to participate in raising the children in their extended families.

Anna, Nonesy, Jacqueline, Carnut, pdh3, A's Fever - all of you - please find your village and your support to help you out.

Anna, I think you have grounds for a lawsuit regarding that Nun/teacher who told your children about genital warts at age 9 and 12. This is absolutely inappropriate whether the priest approves it or not. This would never happen in a public school. You didn't ask my advice (so you can feel free to tell me to shut up), but I would yank my children out of that school immediately.

Don't you remember about the scandals in the Catholic church? I can't believe Nuns were allowed to hit children and Priests were allowed to abuse children. And it was covered up.

Please try to find a village to help you.