Sex or Violence?

Using Europe as an example, compared to the United States, there is comparatively a lot more sex on television there. The difference is that it isn't generally regarded with distaste or even outrage. Many European countries take a more casual approach to sex and sexuality. And there aren't any startling adverse effects as a result of this. There aren't astounding numbers of STDs, there aren't tons of teenage pregnancies. There isn't an abundance of sexual abuse or rape.

In fact, ALL of these things are far more common in the United States, despite our stigmata towards the "oversexualization" of television and movies.

It all really depends on how a child is educated about things when they are exposed to it initially. Neglecting parental duties can be (but is not always) asking for trouble. I personally wouldn't mind my child being exposed to sexuality, as long as they were properly educated in regards to how to keep themselves safe and make smart decisions when it comes to them partaking in sexual activities.

I personally feel violence on television can be more jilting to a child, just because injury is something they've been far more likely to have experienced in some form or another. I don't have much more explanation for it than that, aside from my personal opinion that watching people injured or killed can just be a little more traumatizing -- and sometimes it's hard to explain to children that it's "not real." Quite often, the violence they see on TV is indeed real, which opens up a whole set of problems.

I don't know if I agree with the notion that overexposure to violence through various forms of media is going to in turn make children violent. However, I can't argue with it being emotionally disturbing to some degree. I personally would find a 5-year-old NOT being upset by the sight of someone getting their head blown off quite disturbing.

Sex is something that can be confusing and weird, but not unexplainable to a child. And it's not an issue unless the parents make it out to be a big deal.

How ya doing, buddy?