Why Does the West Abhor Depictions of Sex but Glorify Violence?
This is an opinion piece and I welcome any opposing viewpoints
The west has some unusual values and this is one of them. In the west people or more specifically kids, are exposed to violence in nearly all forms of media. We see it in sports, TV, video games and on the internet. For the most part, we do not blink an eye towards this. However strangely enough, we have a very different attitude towards sex. People namely parents, find it shocking to see sexual content on display. We shun any depictions of nudity and sex and we shield our children from it. In fact, the top picture of this piece is considered adult content even though their isn't any private parts being shown. Ridiculous in my opinion.
So we end up with differing and dangerous perspectives on both sex and violence; Violence is okay but sex is not. This can result in sexually repressed kids, who solves their problems through violence.
In my opinion, it makes no sense. People have sex all the time. It is a natural and pleasurable experience. It should not be taboo to display an act that is part of being human. Having sex with someone is not a crime. Killing people, however, especially in the most gruesome ways, is a crime no matter how you twist it.
There are some who are firm in their belief that sex shouldn't shown on TV and media and I respect that. However, I think that if sex shouldn't be shown, then neither should violence.
Why do we carry such hypocritical values in the first place? In my opinion, this is linked to the church. The church has been regulating sexual behavior for centuries. From Christianity to Judism. The church preaches that a woman's virginity is sacred; something that should be protected at all costs. That idea is banged into our heads at very early ages and invades their lives outside of the church. It has even gone to the point where people who do not go to the church has their values implanted into their heads.
It is typical to see men with their shirts off in public, in movies, on TV, on social media etc. You can pretty much see everything except for his crouch. Will ever see an equal representation of female nudity in public or in the media? I do not think so. Even today, we often have issues with women breastfeeding in public.
http://rolereboot.org/family/details/2015-08-the-time-i-was-shamed-for-breastfeeding-in-public/
This whole thing is backwards. It is never okay to see anyone get killed and sex isn't taboo. Either they should be both allowed or neither. One is not more important than the other. In fact, I would argue that they have equal importance. One act creates life and the other destroys it. Throughout history, we have struggled to find a proper balance between the two. The west can definitely do better on this front.
Well that is my opinion, what do you guys think?
I like your writing, however I don't agree with this. Sex is everywhere nowadays. Maybe more than violence. It's in advertising, the most popular music, the most popular shows. I think both depictions of sex and violence are just outlets for people to live vicariously through various characters, because the natural instincts for lust and aggression are still in us but have no real outlet for most people.
You don't have to agree with me. This blog is not an echo chamber and I welcome any opposing arguments.
I should have been more specific when I said sex. I am not talking about teasing softcore pictures that can find anywhere, I am talking about the kind of nudity sexual content you only find in a porno.
Young people are exposed to the highest levels of violence and we cannot say the same for sex.
I 100% agree with your last point. These are indeed outlets for our natural instincts. But when there is significant opposition to these outlets, what is the solution?
We can't have our outlets, and we cannot fulfill our natural urges in real life. And we wonder why mental illness is on the rise.
As many others, there are points I agree with and disagree with. To me, the glaring disagreement comes from the generalization "west". That goes with "generalizations are always wrong" :-D
Worldwide, there are people that will agree with what you say. And worldwide there are people that will disagree with what you say. I live in "the west" and my personal view is that I abhor the depictions of sex AND violence in the media.
Like it or not, there are plenty of studies that correlate increases in depictions with increases in real-world actions.
What can you do about it? Well, if you are a Bible reader (note: I did not say church-goer) the answer is you can do nothing about it. I am responsible for me. I am also responsible to teach people the Bible's views. If some listen, great! If not, I have done my part.
In short, and in my opinion: Bible prophecies state this world will get worse. Bible instruction says (counterintuitively) we will be happiest if we follow its counsel. Part of that counsel includes non-violence and sex only within the marital arrangement.
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Interesting topic. I agree with your observations and beliefs.