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Essorant
Member Elite
since 2002-08-10
Posts 4769
Regina, Saskatchewan; Canada

0 posted 2002-12-28 12:24 PM



If that area is meant for mature content why can't people of all ages participate--just because topics may include things more sexual and potentially disturbing why shouldn't we all be able to learn and discover, no matter what age we are if they are going to be mature and dealt with maturelly?  People under eighteen are downloading pornographic images on the internet, yet they are not should not  be able to talk about sexuality and provoking subjects in a mature enviroment?  It is a bit strange.  I was just wondering what your thoughts are about this.
Thanks.

Essorant.

© Copyright 2002 Essorant - All Rights Reserved
hush
Senior Member
since 2001-05-27
Posts 1653
Ohio, USA
1 posted 2002-12-28 01:40 PM


Is 18 years old still a requirement? I thought it was altered so now you just click something to alter your profile.
Essorant
Member Elite
since 2002-08-10
Posts 4769
Regina, Saskatchewan; Canada
2 posted 2002-12-28 01:58 PM


You have to certify you are 18 years or older to gain access.
Ron
Administrator
Member Rara Avis
since 1999-05-19
Posts 8669
Michigan, US
3 posted 2002-12-28 02:51 PM


We have neither the legal power nor the moral right to tell an underage person they can join the military, get married, or participate in the Mature Content section of pipTalk. That power and right rests with the parents. It is the parents' responsibility to instill their values, and even a failure to exercise that responsibility doesn't eliminate it or pass it to someone else. For some jerk on the Internet to usurp that parental obligation is wrong, wrong, wrong. Any parent who wants their teen to enjoy unfettered freedom at pipTalk need only write me. I would VERY much welcome their involvement in what their kid is doing here.

Unfortunately, I don't expect to receive a lot of those letters. I have offered, more than once, to open a password-protected forums especially for the teens, where we could discuss what I think are very important teen issues. The only stipulation was that entrance to the forum had to be approved by the parent. So far, there ain't been no takers.

Essorant
Member Elite
since 2002-08-10
Posts 4769
Regina, Saskatchewan; Canada
4 posted 2002-12-28 03:49 PM


Are we going to post things then as if people under 18 year of age aren't accessing the Mature content?  
Why should it make a difference?  Why shouldn't adults have to be equally mature for their our own selves?  

[This message has been edited by Essorant (12-28-2002 03:50 PM).]

Ron
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Member Rara Avis
since 1999-05-19
Posts 8669
Michigan, US
5 posted 2002-12-28 04:47 PM


If I find someone reading or posting in MC who is under 18, they will lose their privileges in ALL of the forums. When people lie to me, I tend to take it seriously.

The age requirements aren't a question of maturity, if only because I'm in no position to judge that. The requirements are a matter of respect for the rights of the parents. It's their place to decide what their children should be exposed to, not mine. Ironically, any teen who feels uncomfortable asking their parent for that permission probably IS too immature to participate.

Essorant
Member Elite
since 2002-08-10
Posts 4769
Regina, Saskatchewan; Canada
6 posted 2002-12-29 12:54 PM


I'm sorry.  I've been really paranoid lately about finding the opposite under the word or the appearance.   Now a days often what our culture calls "mature" or "erotic"   turns out to be the opposite of mature and erotic, meant to accomodate hedonism and decadence.  Even romance is hard to believe in when so many men and women are just after sex.  I'm not saying that the "Mature Content" forum is part of this but I'm not saying it isn't.  
I will keep an open mind and see how it developes...so far I like it

Local Parasite
Deputy Moderator 10 Tours
Member Elite
since 2001-11-05
Posts 2527
Transylconia, Winnipeg
7 posted 2002-12-29 01:34 AM


quote:
I have offered, more than once, to open a password-protected forums especially for the teens, where we could discuss what I think are very important teen issues. The only stipulation was that entrance to the forum had to be approved by the parent. So far, there ain't been no takers.


The only time I heard about this "offer" was the last time you mentioned it as an example.  Whereabouts was it discussed?  Did I miss it?

Local Parasite
Deputy Moderator 10 Tours
Member Elite
since 2001-11-05
Posts 2527
Transylconia, Winnipeg
8 posted 2002-12-29 01:49 AM


And I think because this thread was posted in Philosophy, we should discuss a bit the why of "mature content" being considered something worthy of censorship... is "mature content" really something that is harmful to the young?  

We say "mature content" when we generally mean "content meant for mature audiences."  This is by no means something that is always mature content itself, right?  I remember seeing the "mature content" warning before watching an episode of The Tom Green Show.  Do you consider the things Tom Green does mature?  Probably not.  Do you have to be mature in order to watch him?  I'd say so.

I happen to think that most of the people who even bother watching Tom Green are either not eighteen years old, or are not exactly "mature."

Of course there are things that genuinely contain mature content and are intended for mature audiences, but I'd say that it's mostly in an attempt to avoid "daddy what's that?" questions.  Nudity and profanity are the most censored things on television, mostly to avoid angry parents.  

I'd say the consideration of the actual effect it has on the child is secondary to the concern with the parental reaction to the child's response.  A child is not harmed by hearing the F word, nor does he harm himself by saying the F word, or by seeing exposed breasts, but it becomes an issue when the parents find out that it's on television.  

I'd say the only things that deem a movie or television program "intended for mature audiences" are the general taboos - and that goes for Passions as well.  

quote:
f that area is meant for mature content why can't people of all ages participate--just because topics may include things more sexual and potentially disturbing why shouldn't we all be able to learn and discover, no matter what age we are if they are going to be mature and dealt with maturelly?  


There is some very serious, very refined and very mature poetry that is allowed in the public forums - even Teen.  I'd say the majority of poetry that comes into Passions is "mature."  Whether or not it should be made available to all audiences is another question.

Your question is really about censorship, right?  Why shouldn't we be allowed to learn and discover?  Well I agree with you, we should.  But it's not the responsibility of Passions to see that we learn about and discover things that are general taboo... and I'd say the biggest reason for this is general common sense, based on respect for the parents.

Stephanos
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Member Elite
since 2000-07-31
Posts 3618
Statesboro, GA, USA
9 posted 2002-12-30 05:45 PM


Essorant,

I too have found it ironic that pornography is called "adult" and "mature", because it represents anything but those things, within my moral/ ethical views.  


Local P,

Your statement that seeing and hearing such things aren't really bad for children and teens, and that we are merely dealing with a taboo imposed by ignorantly concerned parents is problematic.  For one, it discounts the concerns and values of millions as mere sentimentality ... and that without any ground or support.  Perhaps there is valid reason to show that pornography is harmful to children.  If you ask me, it is no good for adults either.  But I guess in our society, at least the decision made will be of someone over eighteen.  I agree with this policy, because I don't think young minds are aware of the potential dangers of this kind of media.  So they should not be made responsible for the choosing.


Stephen.  

[This message has been edited by Stephanos (12-30-2002 05:47 PM).]

Nan
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Member Seraphic
since 1999-05-20
Posts 21191
Cape Cod Massachusetts USA
10 posted 2002-12-30 06:47 PM


"Pornography" will never find a home on this site.  There is a clear-cut difference between "Adult/Mature" and "Pornographic" material.  These forums are not designed to host illicit material... Not happenin'...
Stephanos
Deputy Moderator 1 Tour
Member Elite
since 2000-07-31
Posts 3618
Statesboro, GA, USA
11 posted 2002-12-31 01:59 AM


would an "erotic" post be considered pornographic?


por-nog-ra-phy 1. writings, photographs, movies etc., intended to arouse sexual excitement, esp. such materials considered as having little or no artistic merit.  


Stephen.

[This message has been edited by Stephanos (12-31-2002 01:59 AM).]

Poet deVine
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since 1999-05-26
Posts 22612
Hurricane Alley
12 posted 2002-12-31 03:39 AM


I always thought pornography was in the eye of the beholder. What you consider erotic, I might think is pornographic! Some people consider R rated movies porn.

By the definition - no artistic merit - I would hope that ALL the work here would never qualify as porn.

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