Art 2
The debate still rages over Henson and his photographs. I apologise that I have not responded to comments made on the previous post but have been unable to access it, so I'll respond here.
Reg, I understand the police are only doing their jobs. It would be easy for a real pedophile to claim it was "art" and as such they have very right to investigate complaints. I just don't agree with way they have handled this case. Especially their tough talk of charges will be laid, while scrambling for legal advice if charges could actually be laid.
As for Rudd, yes he did jump on the wagon to beat his opponents. I know that. He's taken a leaf out of Howard's book on reading the populist position and going with it. But he doesn't have to come out and support the artist. When asked for a comment he can say something like "We have systems in place to deal with things like this, lets see what the police investigation determines" etc.
To the me the main focus of this controversy is on the sexualisation of children. At least, that's what all the family focus groups and "think of the children" groups are claiming.
So lets talk about the sexualisation of children in today's society. Are from being convinced that nudity is an automatic sexual act, there are, in my opinion, worst, much worst cases of sexualisation of children.
Where to begin? Okay, toys. In an episode of Sliders (back when it was good), Professor Arturo looks in a toy store to get a quick understanding of the society stating that "if you want to know a society's values and beliefs look at the toys they make for their children."
So lets look at the toys we make for our children. Bratz dolls are one of the biggest selling merchandise in the western world. They have outsold Barbie (who is only marginally better). Bratz dolls are teenage/young adults who wear tight mini skirts, vampish make up, high heels etc. They have a cartoon series (and I'm told a live action movie).
Then there's make up sold to children. Not only are there "little miss makeup kits" there are also dolls, or at least their heads, that children buy to practice putting make up on.
And then there are the magazines. Boys can walk into any store and see women dressed sexily, with makeup giving him a come hither look on the cover of magazines.
And I'm not talking about men's magazines like Ralph and FHM (though they're there as well) but the magazines for preteen and teenage girls. They have articles on how to attract boys, dieting tips and I have been informed by a parent of teenage girls, how to perform blow jobs.
Then there's tv and movies. How often do they get adults to play the parts of teenagers, aged as young as 14. Fully grown and developed adults playing children.
A a final note, can anyone remember the last time there was such national outcry, media coverage and venemous attacks against someone who was actually convicted of pedophilia?
Reg, I understand the police are only doing their jobs. It would be easy for a real pedophile to claim it was "art" and as such they have very right to investigate complaints. I just don't agree with way they have handled this case. Especially their tough talk of charges will be laid, while scrambling for legal advice if charges could actually be laid.
As for Rudd, yes he did jump on the wagon to beat his opponents. I know that. He's taken a leaf out of Howard's book on reading the populist position and going with it. But he doesn't have to come out and support the artist. When asked for a comment he can say something like "We have systems in place to deal with things like this, lets see what the police investigation determines" etc.
To the me the main focus of this controversy is on the sexualisation of children. At least, that's what all the family focus groups and "think of the children" groups are claiming.
So lets talk about the sexualisation of children in today's society. Are from being convinced that nudity is an automatic sexual act, there are, in my opinion, worst, much worst cases of sexualisation of children.
Where to begin? Okay, toys. In an episode of Sliders (back when it was good), Professor Arturo looks in a toy store to get a quick understanding of the society stating that "if you want to know a society's values and beliefs look at the toys they make for their children."
So lets look at the toys we make for our children. Bratz dolls are one of the biggest selling merchandise in the western world. They have outsold Barbie (who is only marginally better). Bratz dolls are teenage/young adults who wear tight mini skirts, vampish make up, high heels etc. They have a cartoon series (and I'm told a live action movie).
Then there's make up sold to children. Not only are there "little miss makeup kits" there are also dolls, or at least their heads, that children buy to practice putting make up on.
And then there are the magazines. Boys can walk into any store and see women dressed sexily, with makeup giving him a come hither look on the cover of magazines.
And I'm not talking about men's magazines like Ralph and FHM (though they're there as well) but the magazines for preteen and teenage girls. They have articles on how to attract boys, dieting tips and I have been informed by a parent of teenage girls, how to perform blow jobs.
Then there's tv and movies. How often do they get adults to play the parts of teenagers, aged as young as 14. Fully grown and developed adults playing children.
A a final note, can anyone remember the last time there was such national outcry, media coverage and venemous attacks against someone who was actually convicted of pedophilia?
posted by Renegade79 at 4:50 pm
3 comments
