Content Warning: The topic discussed is about consumption of explicit material under 18 on Tumblr (I disagree with what they said, by the way)
Context: This person was talking about children being an oppressed group in many societies around the world and the excuse some people use (protecting children) to do so.
"And many of the rules that are currently pushed for to “protect” children from evil things like checks notes porn and horror movies and serial kidnappers that do not actually exist "
“What is there to be confused by? The vast majority of teens will in some way consume porn - and always have done that. You cannot really prevent it. The best you can do is make sure that they so in a safe environment”
I think this is a trash take. Am I overreacting to this?
Edit: I reported it already for being gross. Also, for context, I am very triggered by anything related to children.
They will experience it eventually, at some point in their lives, whether as kids or as adults. Giving them a controlled way to experience these things can help them fortify themselves better against their worst consequences. It’s the same approach taken by many parents regarding cigarettes and alcohol. Warn the child against it, but if they are determined to try it, it’s better that they try it together with the parent, than alone or with friends, where they can binge, get carried away, be harmed by it, etc.
The mystique and the thrill of doing something forbidden plays a huge role in driving kids towards these things. And the adrenaline of having done something forbidden can actually reinforce the behavior and make it even more addictive. However, if there’s the option of doing whatever in a safe manner and supervised, then kids tend to not consider it so attractive anymore. It’s something to experience, sure, but there’s no longer a strong urge to over-indulge. And whoever is supervising them gets the chance to help them through certain emotions about the experience, rather than let them deal with it alone, whether it’s porn, horror, gore, violence, drugs, alcohol, cigarettes, etc.
I’m not saying let the kids experience anything willy-nilly, just because it’s futile to stop them. I’m saying let them have an option to experience it safely, with someone who is going to be able to help them comprehend its consequences. For example, with porn, it’d be helpful if they are informed about how exploitative sex work can be, how certain porn is not made with consent, or even used as sex education.
wait, did you mean using pornography as sex education? if so, in what way do you say it should be used as that type of education?
Edit: I hope I am misinterpreting what you typed.
Pornography is used in sex education in some countries. Not very widely, and usually at the later stages and ages, but still used.
I’m not an expert in sex education, so I’ll refer you to this article as a jumping off point: https://www.apa.org/monitor/2021/03/teaching-porn-literacy
You might also be interested in catching up on Nina Hartley, a retired porn actress, who is also a communist and a feminist, and now an activist for sex literacy: https://thehumanist.com/magazine/september-october-2010/features/atheism-ethics-and-pornography-an-interview-with-nina-hartley/
EDIT: Just so we are clear, since I saw your edit after answering, sex education isn’t just about practicing safe sex. It’s also about dealing with sexuality emotionally. Including being able to assess sexual content (in regards to consent, morality, etc), body positivity, avoiding feelings of guilt regarding sex, sexual orientation, sexual preferences and sexual content, and identifying signs of bad sexual tendencies and helping to overcome them (e.g. linking violence and sex). In that regard, sometimes letting kids view certain porn can help to reinforce these lessons. Especially in regards to sexual orientation and preferences.
I am not where you got communist from, the link you listed said she was a “Liberal Feminist” and all I can find on her elsewhere is her father and grandfather where commuists but nothing about her.
Second can you please clerify what you mean is by “…letting kids view certain porn can help to reinforce these lessons”?
yeah I thought I was misinterpreting but I am actually freaking out about that and have been crying for a while because I do not know what to do.
Take a deep breath, there is nothing to freak out about, take a quick walk and take a drink of water. I am asking to make sure I understand there intention, and am not making a mistake of understanding.
thank you, I am actually dealing with a lot of stress right now
I thought you meant showing them it for educational purposes.
Parents should absolutely not be providing their children cigarettes in any capacity, that is an absolutely mental idea.
How about having the children volunteer at a cancer hospice so they can see the effects of smoking first hand instead of trying the drug engineered to make you think it’s the best thing in the world.