Contains Nudity?

[In Between Man]

it's not just men who have at least some lustful thinking.

Male lust operates on a different level I think. Although, same sex relationships exist in female prisons, its more about just that - a relationship. With men, its about making your genitalia feel good and then reaching climax(usually at a precise moment). Its also about controlling your sexual partner and the controlling the sexual play, like controlling the climax as mentioned. That's what makes it perverted.

 

[shadowshiv]

I watched a show the other day, the disclaimer for which warned...

"This show contains scenes of nudity, parental discretion is advised."

Okay... here we go... hold onto your hats, we might see some skin. *gasp*

I was mortified when the 'nudity' arrived, in the form of a strangled, naked body lying in alleyway.

Can anyone explain to me what is the matter with society when we warn of nudity, but we don't warn about the images of strangled corpses? Which is more shocking and potentially objectionable? Shouldn't it be the fact that it's a dead person? Not the fact that it's a NAKED dead person?

I think ever since the Janet Jackson/Justin Timberlake fiasco during the Super Bowl half-time show, American networks have gotten very paranoid about nudity(the huge fine that was given was a main reason for that paranoia). They will not even show an animated butt(the Simpsons writers were talking about this on one of their DVD Commentaries) anymore. Violence it seems is still okay, but nudity is extremely "taboo" right now. Another example of this would be NYPD Blue. You would not get the "pleasure" of seeing Dennis Franz's keister anymore if the show aired today instead of when it did.

This goes for network television, especially during prime time. Cable channels are another story altogether. (KINK, anyone?;-))

 

[Cliffy]

Can we show some nudity on this thread? Can we? Can we? Please. Please.
The picture of a lovely little tush I posted in word association game was deleted because it was too risque. (she had panties on for goodness sake! With a pretty little bow.):-?

(It's three in the morning and I can't sleep. I'm just a little punchy.)

 

[Dexter Sinister]

Why?

Why what? Why are Europeans more casual about nudity, or why do I think they've got it right?

The first is a long story about the fragments of European civilization that settled most of North America. We didn't get the full spectrum of European political and cultural ideas, and still don't have them, though I think Canada's closer to them than the United States is, and Mexico's farther from them. Look up Louis Hartz' theory of cultural fragments, it's a very interesting thesis.

The second is simply because of its impact. Sexuality is a normal part of being human, it's stultifying and repressive to put as many taboos around it as we tend to do,it warps the expression of it. Remember the uproar over Janet Jackson's "wardrobe malfunction?" Or the Los Angeles Olympics where various female European athletes tried going topless on public beaches, as they can at home? Storm in a teacup.

 

[karrie]

Right, that's technically what's going on. We are producing testosterone, but men are still guilty of lustful thoughts. Ever seen Dateline's to catch a predator?

Those are the minority, so it doesn't prove much about men in general.

 

[Cliffy]

Like many mammal species, men are hard wired to spread their seed far and wide. Unlike many species that mate for life, we had to institutionalize it to make it work. Even then, extra curricular activities are rampant and the institution itself is disintegrating because it is un-natural to our species.

 

[L Gilbert]

Part of the issue stems from the fact that our "rating" system for TV, movies, video games, etc is closely modeled after, if not entirely based upon the US system where they tend to be pretty uptight about nudity and sexuality. My fiancee (who is an American) and I have shaken our heads many times about the fact that so many people (especially in the US) get riled by a flash of a breast or a butt and don't blink at the violence shown in so much of the media. Its a wierd situation where something artistic can be rated more sternly than something that glorifies the worst aspects of humanity...

That's the crux of the matter, alright. And it stems straight from people's interpretation of the Bible. "Skin bad, blood good."
lol If you ask me, I think the Christian god & his son should have eaten the odd apple or two, dropped the fig leaves, quit killing people, turning them into salt, and stuff.

 

[L Gilbert]

I think ever since the Janet Jackson/Justin Timberlake fiasco during the Super Bowl half-time show, American networks have gotten very paranoid about nudity(the huge fine that was given was a main reason for that paranoia). They will not even show an animated butt(the Simpsons writers were talking about this on one of their DVD Commentaries) anymore. Violence it seems is still okay, but nudity is extremely "taboo" right now. Another example of this would be NYPD Blue. You would not get the "pleasure" of seeing Dennis Franz's keister anymore if the show aired today instead of when it did.

This goes for network television, especially during prime time. Cable channels are another story altogether. (KINK, anyone?;-))

American networks haven't gotten paranoid about nudity, they haven't changed hardly at all since about the 60s. I swear if the Puritans had tv, things wouldn't have changed much since. Look how long it took American tv to show two people in the same bed. 2 decades since the beginning of tv? How about kissing on the lips or anything other than holding hands? Their priorities are just laughable.

 

[VanIsle]

Why what? Why are Europeans more casual about nudity, or why do I think they've got it right?

The first is a long story about the fragments of European civilization that settled most of North America. We didn't get the full spectrum of European political and cultural ideas, and still don't have them, though I think Canada's closer to them than the United States is, and Mexico's farther from them. Look up Louis Hartz' theory of cultural fragments, it's a very interesting thesis.

The second is simply because of its impact. Sexuality is a normal part of being human, it's stultifying and repressive to put as many taboos around it as we tend to do,it warps the expression of it. Remember the uproar over Janet Jackson's "wardrobe malfunction?" Or the Los Angeles Olympics where various female European athletes tried going topless on public beaches, as they can at home? Storm in a teacup.

Yes, sexuality is a normal part of being human. So is using the washroom. Should we now add our toilets to the Living Room so people don't have to move away from conversations to use the biffy? There are many many things that are a part of being human and just as many reasons not to display them. I have never had the urge or desire to walk around displaying my body nude nor do I have any desire to view anyone else's. To have to do so would be offensive.

 

[s_lone]

Why is society more worried about kids seeing nudity and sex on TV rather than violence?

I suggest it has to do with the fact that most people know their kids won't become violent. Most kids who grow up in a loving environment won't become violent even if exposed to violence in movies, video games, books etc. In our society, it's a minority of people who develop truly violent behavior and I think that is why showing it in the media doesn't seem to bother people that much. That is not to say that violence in the media can't influence people and a few nutcases but the fact remains that most kids don't develop the violence to which they are exposed if they are surrounded by loving and caring adults.

Sex is another issue... While most people don't develop violent behavior, everyone develops their sexuality one way or another. If one catches their child watching porn on the internet, one will be worried of the impact this could have on the development of the child's sexuality. And I'd say there are a lot of people who simply are uncomfortable with the thought of their child having some form of sexuality. (One doesn't need to be sexually active to have some form of sexuality)

 

[karrie]

Why is society more worried about kids seeing nudity and sex on TV rather than violence?

I suggest it has to do with the fact that most people know their kids won't become violent. Most kids who grow up in a loving environment won't become violent even if exposed to violence in movies, video games, books etc. In our society, it's a minority of people who develop truly violent behavior and I think that is why showing it in the media doesn't seem to bother people that much. That is not to say that violence in the media can't influence people and a few nutcases but the fact remains that most kids don't develop the violence to which they are exposed if they are surrounded by loving and caring adults.

Sex is another issue... While most people don't develop violent behavior, everyone develops their sexuality one way or another. If one catches their child watching porn on the internet, one will be worried of the impact this could have on the development of the child's sexuality. And I'd say there are a lot of people who simply are uncomfortable with the thought of their child having some form of sexuality. (One doesn't need to be sexually active to have some form of sexuality)

Well now, there is something to ponder, thanks s_lone.

 

[L Gilbert]

Why is society more worried about kids seeing nudity and sex on TV rather than violence?

I suggest it has to do with the fact that most people know their kids won't become violent. Most kids who grow up in a loving environment won't become violent even if exposed to violence in movies, video games, books etc. In our society, it's a minority of people who develop truly violent behavior and I think that is why showing it in the media doesn't seem to bother people that much. That is not to say that violence in the media can't influence people and a few nutcases but the fact remains that most kids don't develop the violence to which they are exposed if they are surrounded by loving and caring adults.

Sex is another issue... While most people don't develop violent behavior, everyone develops their sexuality one way or another. If one catches their child watching porn on the internet, one will be worried of the impact this could have on the development of the child's sexuality. And I'd say there are a lot of people who simply are uncomfortable with the thought of their child having some form of sexuality. (One doesn't need to be sexually active to have some form of sexuality)

Good point. It's the attitude towards sex that is inane. Sex isn't bad. Unhealthy sex is bad. Why are we mentioning sex in the same sentences as violence in the first place if we haven't been conditioned into thinking sex is bad? It is simply more irrational, religious dogma.

?

 

[s_lone]

Good point. It's the attitude towards sex that is inane. Sex isn't bad. Unhealthy sex is bad. Why are we mentioning sex in the same sentences as violence in the first place if we haven't been conditioned into thinking sex is bad? It is simply more irrational, religious dogma.

?

I think you're right that much of society's irrational attitude to sex comes from religious tradition. But I think there is more to it than that. Sexuality is such an intimate part of ourselves that it doesn't take much for us to feel threatened.

For example, how many of us would be comfortable talking to their husband/wife/lover about all their sexual fantasies without any form of censorship? It's one thing to expose your own fantasies... It's another to be exposed to another's fantasies. Do you really want to know all the things that go on in your lover's mind? If my girlfriend had thoughts about doing it with that nice guy from her job, do I really want to know about it?

When it comes to sex, we are easily confronted to feelings of jealousy, insecurity, lust, envy, frustration etc. While I don't agree with all of Freud's theories, I think he was right in pointing out how much sex is a crucial part of our psyche. If sex is not embraced, it easily becomes scary. And the sexuality of others, especially of our own lovers can easily become scary if we are not ready to be truly honest with ourselves.

I think it is because sex can trigger so many uncomfortable feelings, (and incredibly beautiful ones too), that we make a big deal of how it is presented in the media...

 

[L Gilbert]

Yup.
We found we are much more comfortable with the topic if we are open about it. We raised our kids not to be afraid of sex, as well. The oldest has the same bf she had after she first moved out. The youngest hasn't decided on anything yet and is busy with college anyway.

 

[TenPenny]

The MAJORITY is perverted!? How can you possibly justify such a statement?

When you define perverted as 'engaging in, or enjoying, sexual acts beyond what oneself is comfortable with', then it's easy to see how Alleywayz could categorize most, if not all, men as perverted....

 

[Dexter Sinister]

Yes, sexuality is a normal part of being human. So is using the washroom.

Straw man fallacy.

 

[Dexter Sinister]

Are men more guilty of needing sexual release in a pure physical sense, or are we more guilty of lust, fantasying about sex.

Interesting that you use the word "guilty" there. Is your view of human sexuality really as bleak and condemnatory as your posts here seem to indicate?

 

[Just the Facts]

I was mortified when the 'nudity' arrived, in the form of a strangled, naked body lying in alleyway.

At least there was nudity. I watched Pulp Fiction again the other day and the warning was scenes of violence, sexuality, nudity and course language.

The course language was all bleeped out, and I didn't see any nudity. I guess two out of three ain't bad, but two out of four!!

 

[Outta here]

I watched a show the other day, the disclaimer for which warned...

"This show contains scenes of nudity, parental discretion is advised."

Okay... here we go... hold onto your hats, we might see some skin. *gasp*

I was mortified when the 'nudity' arrived, in the form of a strangled, naked body lying in alleyway.

Can anyone explain to me what is the matter with society when we warn of nudity, but we don't warn about the images of strangled corpses? Which is more shocking and potentially objectionable? Shouldn't it be the fact that it's a dead person? Not the fact that it's a NAKED dead person?

I've often lamented our peculiar interpretation of the word obscene.

War, murder, starvation, cruelty, torture, pollution, greed, child abuse, rape, poverty, illiteracy, unfit living conditions, unequal distribution of resources, corruption, violation of human rights .... we have such a plethora of material to apply the word obscene to... and yet one of the most fundamental aspects of what's actually 'good' about being human - that is, our bodies - the vehicles that carry us through our human experience... and our relationship with and enjoyment of them, the celebration of human physical interaction... this is considered obscene.

We're a twisted lot sometimes.

 

[Cliffy]

And I'd say there are a lot of people who simply are uncomfortable with the thought of their child having some form of sexuality.

Hell, most kids want to upchuck at the thought of their parents having some form of sexuality. When I was young I thought my mom was artificially inseminated. But then I lived on a farm part of the year and just thought that is how babies were created.