Is America in denial about sexuality?

I read this article today, and while this is by far not the first instance of 'public outrage' over such things it is the most recent. In fact it's the second time it's happened with this particular celeb (the Annie Liebowitz photos).

So, I have a few statements to make. Feel free to say I'm wrong, or add your own insight. I'd like to here opinions about this.

1. This is not porn, nor anything close to it.
2. Your 16 year olds are being far more sexual than parents would ever admit, or be able to cope with. If my parents knew what my Junior High was like...
3. Other countries don't react this way to such petty things
4. Pretending that sexual expression starts at 18 only makes young people act out more

Finally, I wonder what is it that people who get up in bunches about this stuff are afraid of? Is it a phantom fear, that somehow our kids are influenced by this kind of stuff, moreso than they are by EVERYTHING else around them? In short, is American in denial about sexuality? Or is this an emerging conflict between Puritanism (although the Bible has some pretty risque content itself) and modernity that will eventually have to even itself out?

[edit on 21-8-2009 by El Davicho]

i agree. americans are very prude when it comes to sexuality. maybe not behind closed doors, but in general, we are. people dont feel comfortable just talking about sex out in the open to anyone. its something that for some reason is still "taboo" for many people to talk about. I personally dont get it. Every european i have ever known has been so (almost too much) open about their sexuality and they think its a beautiful thing, and why be ashamed of it?

it is true though. parents dont have a single clue half the stuff kids in the teen years do. i sure know my parents didnt know anything i was doing.

i think if parents felt more comfortable talking openly about sexuality not in a "dont have sex until your married" way but in a normal, conversation way saying "i accept it if you are having sex, because that is only normal, but here are the pros and cons" , they would be much more successful having an open relationship with their kids and they might not act out quite so badly. ive found this to be true once i started opening up to my mom, i didnt feel the need to act out anymore, because she knew i was gonna do whatever i felt like doing and she accepted it.

I didn't watch both videos, but from what I'd seen of it in the second one, it just looked like an old icecream venders wagon....which was cool and needed something to hold on to. Even if she was promoting anything sexual, it's for those teens who expect it and not their parents in denial. It didn't make me think it was anymore sexual than anything else she's doing when dancing.

If people want to be outraged, they should watch Toddlers and Tiraras

www.youtube.com...

Having lived in America all my life...yes, we're prudes. We protect children from penises far more than we protect them against blood, bombs, and rockets (which are shaped likes penises anyway.)

LOL European people talk more about Sex then American People is BS. I'll let people into a little secret...it is marketing scam..what do you think is gonna happen when you start telling the American public that Europe is some perverted continent that talks about sex ect. There all gonna flood there. Its gonna boost european economys. Theres more catholics in europe than anywhere in the world...and we all know how strict catholics are when is come to talking about sex ''its a sin''. Honestly its BS!!

Where did Playboy come from? What about the worlds first Sex icon Marylane Manroe? Or what about Madonna. America aint as tight as people think it is!


Tsom87

This is a classic example of a phenomenon called porn creep. Porn creep involves pornographic things "creeping" into the mainstream. For example, 20 years ago only women in porno got "Brazilian" waxes. Now, many women, including grandmothers, , get them.

Pole dancing was something that was reserved for strippers. Now it seems everybody, including the squeeky clean Hannah Montana, is doing it. Please do not say I did not warn you when an 80 year old grandma does it at a Bar Mitzva near you.

ok not sure where you are coming from, because ive known many people from europe, including spain, france, sweden, germany, and bulgaria... and all of them are very comfortable with their sexuality and talk very openly about it.

reply to post by TSOM87

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Europeans are less uptight about sex. They are more out in the open about sex. For example, European censors are more likely to allow nudity on television than American censors.

Americans are uptight about sex. Americans surpress, but can never eliminate their sexual energies. Eventually, these energies leak out into things like Playboy or toe tapping in airport restrooms.

Yeah and i know Americans who very openly about there sexuality. Its something i'v allways found weird how people think that Europe is like that. I know Music and TV can portray certain things and i think this is one of them!

Tsom87

The United States has an incredibly unhealthy and screwed up attitude of just about any people I have seen.

On one hand sex is everywhere...as jokes...as ads...on TV and in the movies... in fashion...not just adults but kids as well... it is displayed everywhere

On the other hand we are severely repressed about it...and do our best to hide it...and when it comes to our children we are positively psychotic about it.

I am reminded of a story I read once.

This anthropologist was recording some of the ritual songs of the Hopi. After a performance was over he asked an elder why was it most of their songs were about water?

The elder replied that they sang about what they needed the most of and had the least of. He then added that they had noticed that most of the white man's songs were about love.

OUCH!!!

And oh so true.

We separate sex from love (and yes it is often separated...sometimes its easier to get laid than make friends...easier to open legs than it is to open hearts) and then turn around and insist that they are inseperable.

We are a mess.

Miley Cyrus is, although she may not want to be, a role model for an extremely large amount of very young girls. She sent the message that it if fun and ok to dance around a pole. I'm not saying that is what she was trying to do, or even that is how I interpreted it, but to young impresionable girls it is a bad message.



This is probably because they are exposed to their idols dancing around poles, or kissing Madonna on MTV, etc.

-E-

well just like the above poster stated, nudity on television and people walking around nude in europe is much more acceptable. sorry you dont believe that, but it is.

america is extremely uptight when it comes to nudity. i mean... why do you think people arent free to walk around naked in their town? its not acceptable. but in many places it is and its a normal part of life.

americans only see sexuality in terms of porn and the "ideal" woman. americans have been so warped by media in general, and the same has happened with sexuality. it is all only media for people now. they watch a porn flick a few times and think thats how women look and what they do in bed.
im a female, i should know this. many guys are completely dilusional because of the medias portrayal of sex. the sex in porn is a fantasy.. it is a MOVIE just like you wouldnt believe the stuff you see in regular movies, you shouldnt believe the things you see in porn are what actual couples do... because most dont. and if they do, im willing to bet they were influenced by what they have seen in porn. its unhealthy

at least europeans have a healthy view on those things. they are not unrealistic and they see beauty in just about everyone , whether they be fat and hairy or perfect.

[edit on 21-8-2009 by calihan_12]

[edit on 21-8-2009 by calihan_12]

I can see where your coming from...but IMO its all BS! America is just as open as Europe. I can go to America and see nude beaches, i can walk down Sunset Blv and see two gay people holding hands or go to New York and see Gay Night clubs. Its an BS Impression thats been laid on the American public for as long as i can remember. Look at the Videos on MTV and you talk about censors?

Ask your self whats it gonna take for you to see that America is open about there sexuality?

Tsom87

The more you try and hide sexual matters, the more "creepy" and yet enticing you make them. You highten the energy value ten fold.

As soon as you ease up and start talking about it openly, the energy level goes way down it just becomes another part of life.

Spoken as a North American still trying to get over the prudish attitudes I grew up with, not from my parents, who were European, but from the rest society here.

agreed

people definitely seperate love from sex. it really can no longer be called "making love", just sex, because people usually dont love the people they sleep with these days.. they just meet some random person at a club and think well they are hot, im gonna sleep with them

or they pay for them... as made so popular by shows like "millionaire matchmaker" and "megan wants a millionaire" etc. now all you see is a bunch of old or nerdy sugardaddies with gorgeous girls on their arm. you do know they are only paying them for sex right?



[edit on 21-8-2009 by calihan_12]

reply to post by El Davicho

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Since September 11 2001, there is increased sense of religiosity among Americans. I've watched the pole dance video and found nothing extreme.

Instead harassing young generations, you guys should spend more time cleaning up the churches.

How many more bishops and priests found guilty of pedophile and raping boys? How many more children must be sexually abused in silence?

The whole problem here is not about America's tolerance of sexuality, or lack there of. It is about a young role model, who until now was someone concerned parents felt safe exposing their kids to.

-E-

I believe the stereotype that Americans are all uptight prudes when it comes to sex while Europeans are much more free about it is a myth.

I live in the Bible belt and we still have gay pride parades, strip bars, all sorts of sex shops, billboards will semi-nudity, etc. Sex education for me was at the age of nine in the 4th grade. We have openly transgendered politicians holding office.

Sex is all over our advertising and media. Like another member above me said- anyone see MTV lately? Even your nightly sit-coms on prime time have all sorts of sexual-based episode themes. Hollywood produces extremely sexual movies. We have nude beaches and resorts and some cities allow public nudity.

As a former flight attendant, I've been to much of Western Europe and it's a mixed bag. For instance, England seems a bit more uptight about sexuality than America but France is rather similar. You'll have your parts of society, just like in America, that are part of certain subcultures or who are very open sexually.

So this myth that Americans are stuffy when it comes to sex simply isn't true. 50 years ago, maybe. But not in the 2000's. Where have all of you been? The sexual revolution began in the 60's and really changed the way our society approaches sex.

We're no longer a nation where married couples sleep in separate twin beds on television. I think it's time to drop the stereotype that Europeans are free and sexual while Americans still wear full dress to the beach or blush at the word 'sex.' It's not like that anymore.

Have you been to Europe?

amsterdam anyone?? why do you think people go there (besides drugs)?

its because people are repressed sexually and go their to unwind with some paid for hooker. gross as it may seem... but its the truth.

and its also as though people nowadays are trying to push the limits.. hookers, escorts, sugarbabies, porn, strippers.. its just plain nasty and not what sexuality is about in the first place








[edit on 21-8-2009 by calihan_12]