If having the opinion that a 5 year old should not be around smut is being a prude, I'll gladly wear that title.
I see it as having common sense.
If this were a picture of a person involved in one of the cases here at WS, a lot of people would be screaming what a bad parent they are.
But since this is a celebrity, she gets a free pass and those who find it inappropriate are prudes.
I don't think any of us here are awed by this woman's celebrity. Yeah, we'd probably be more critical in general of a murder suspect's parenting skills but I know for a fact that many of the posters defending this tiny moment in time are not star struck at all. I actually feel irritated by Tom and Katie. Celebs in general seem narcissistic and overindulged. But I also think they are overly scrutinized. I think most of us are responding to an incident that could actually happen to any one of us. In a celebs life, though, they are photographed relentlessly so a second or two is captured forever. Really, the paparazzi is out of control. I think they should be forced to stay back from the children of these people. The kids never asked for this kind of attention. It's horrid.
P.S., I don't find silly candy to be "smut". Dirty *advertiser censored* magazines or movies, yes, but this is just silly, IMO.
Some would argue that we need more prudes in the world today to combat push up and padded bikini tops for 7 year olds, the growing trend of sexual activity in grade school and bullying. If keeping my daughters from growing up too soon makes me a prude, sign me up!
What people don't seem to understand is that this is not just something to laugh off. It's a statement of our society that we would even THINK to laugh something like this off. This would never have happened 40 years ago. Look how far we've fallen.
It's a slippery slope, and some have slid off the radar.
I'm going to compare back to Europe which would cause some here to faint dead away if they saw what kids there sometimes see. Let me give you some examples. In the early 90's, when I was 21, my uncle drove me to a seedy street in Seville, with his two little girls (eight and six) in the back seat, so I could see something he thought was funny - transsexual prostitutes on the street, topless, with their *advertiser censored* showing, calling out to the passing cars. I'm amazed, never saw anything like that but being solidly American in culture when compared to my relations, I was shocked that he allowed the girls to come. He thought the whole thing was hilarious and said, "They don't understand and they don't really pay attention." Sure enough, they didn't seem to really be paying attention or to be impressed. It's just a completely different attitude over there. I also remember this children's program (at least that's what I thought it was), in Spain. It had kids on it and kids characters and stuff. Anyhow, the theme song seemed to be "Oye mama mis
chichis!" At least that's what I heard. And a bunch of people would be singing the song and coming onto the set including Vegas showgirl type women with pasties! Again, I was somewhat startled, a kid's show? What the heck? I really didn't get it.
Here's the funny thing. I notice that in most parts of Europe, especially Spain, children dress like children. Not mini adults. I love the clothes there for babies and toddlers. Almost old fashioned - lots of knitted outfits, lace collars, just sweet. You would never see a child in a thong or sexy outfit in Spain. People would be horrified. Now, a kid naked at the beach? No problem. Most kids don't wear bathing suits until they are about six or so. Topless women on the beach? No problem and no one gets fussed except Muslim immigrants. But one of the first questions I was asked when I went to live there for a year at age 20, by ALL of my aunts was, "Are you a virgin?" I mean, that was a big deal. You don't *advertiser censored* around. It's not acceptable. I saw one teen mom and everyone in the neighborhood was appalled and said what a bad person and parent she was. I came home once very late (4:00 a.m.) after hanging with some people from the U.S. including Spaniards who were visiting and exchange students, who my dad told to look me up. I thought my dad facilitated the connection so it should be okay to hang out. Now, bars and clubs stay open there til' 6:00 a.m.. So, I didn't think it was bad to stay out that late. Oh Lordy! I came home and my aunt was standing there tapping her foot and telling me that only putas stay out til' four in the morning! She was furious!
It was okay to stay out late if I had family with me but if not, no way. And I was 21 by this point!
Spain is also one of the most religious countries I've been to. Holy Week is the biggest celebration of the year and incredible. It is like a religious Woodstock. Yet people aren't fussed about their kids seeing a naked woman or a "normal" (i.e. not *advertiser censored* film-style) sex act on t.v. or in a movie.
And what of my cousins whose dad so casually drove them by the street where the half-naked tranny hookers were yelling out at cars? One got married two years ago to an engineer. She is a sign-language interpreter for Parliament. They just had their first baby. She is 29. The second is finishing her master's in graphic arts. She is a Flamenco dancer, part of a women's drum core, an excellent professional photographer and has a nice boyfriend. Neither had teen sex and both are very well adjusted. And most of that is due to their dad, my crazy uncle, who is one of the funniest people I know. I call him the Spanish Chevy Chase. He doted on his girls and since he worked nights playing guitar (Flamenco), and my aunt was teaching during the day, he raised those girls and was a kind of Mr. Mom. He was so gentle and sweet with them - one of the best dad's I have met.
I think it's just perspective. We tend to view sex and the body as dirty and bad and to be absolutely hidden from kids. They tend to view it as normal and while children should not be exposed to anything too graphic, they laugh if off if kids see things we would avoid. They don't push their kids noses in it but don't go too crazy avoiding it. And yet, we tend to have a lot of perverts and molesters. They tend to have lower rates of sex crimes and less teen sex. We have little girls dressing in too mature clothing, trying to be like Brittany Spears, wearing thongs at age 8. They don't. I think there is a connection. When sexuality and the body are considered taboo, it causes problems. And that is where we are culturally in our country due to a definite Puritan influence that lasts to this day. :twocents:
