Why do Americans love violence and hate sex so much?

[UdoKier]

Even here at DU I see it. I never have understood it.

It especially seems to rear its head when it comes to kids.


People would much rather their kids watch violent movies or play violent games than see a film with nudity.

If I say that I would rather my teenage kids be out getting laid than watching violent movies or games, I'm being irresponsible or criminal?

I just don't get it. I really don't

[Cyndee_Lou_Who]

1. I was involved in the "GTA for kids" thread the other. BUT... I agree.

Despite the fact that I've allowed my teenager to play this, General rule, I'd prefer sexually explicit over violent... ANY DAY!!!

[UdoKier]

4. It's not really about that specifically.

Just the general tendency of Americans to be so knee-jerk anti-sex, especially when it comes to young people.

Personally I thing we should be as positive about sex as possible when we approach the subject with kids. I didn't have many hang-ups about it as a kid, and I want my kids to have even fewer. (example: I spent too many years as a kid thinking masturbation was bad and abnormal, simply because I knew the basics about sex, but masturbation as a subject was never touched on by school OR parents - I do NOT want my kids thinking things like that.)

[Squatch]

2. Who you talking about, Willis?

[sniffa]

3. combine the two

for a fascinating time

[NewJeffCT]

5. I don't know - it's the American way, I think

Puritans combined with cowboys.

If I'm not mistaken about this (please correct me if I'm wrong), but James Bond movies in Europe typically have a good deal of nudity, but they take out the violence. For the American release, they cut the nude scenes and add the violence back in...

[matcom]

6. mmmmmmmmmmm violent sex

:D

[skygazer]

7. This has always boggled my mind

I've told the story more than once of the woman who asked me and my husband to refrain from kissing and holding hands at her house (it was not heavy "making out" - light peck on the cheek and innocent holding of hands) because we were "in front of the children".

However, this same woman and her husband constantly and loudly fought, using foul language and bitter and horrible accusations. :wtf:

Always amazed me - it was in her view improper for her kids to see two people acting affectionately towards each other but okay to hear and see that kind of behavior day after day.

[justinsb]

8. Hey Now...

sounds like commie talk to me: It's an American thing. Even here in Canada - Die Hard can only be shown late at night but the Janet Jackson superbowl show would have been ok in the middle of the day.

The puritanical philosophy which has remained with the US essentially since the mayflower - anything that makes you feel good is obviously the work of the devil. For the most part this includes sex, drugs, most music, dancing, booze (although they have made an acception for American beer which is alot like making love in a canoe). Anything that you don't particularly like is probably good for the soul and the country and violence is essentially as American as apple pie. People are having fun using drugs so you declare war on them etc. I think it's going to take more than a few elections to turn this around.

[Crankie Avalon]

9. Because violence and its casual acceptance is often useful to...

...the people who run society. Comfortable acceptance of sex isn't.

[Left Is Write]

10. I'm the opposite. I'm much more worried about egregious violence

than I am about a little skin.

I do not want to desensitize my children to violence, atrocities, and brutality. I want them to learn kindness and compassion for their fellow man.

[paula777]

11. No wonder why I've been feeling anti american lately ... I can't relate

[redqueen]

12. Simple!

We're taught that sex is dirty and bad and disgusting, so we repress all that. The repressed sexual energy makes us uber grouchy and mean, which in turn leads to an, um, enhanced appreciation of violence, so to speak.

[arcane1]

13. one word: religion

specifically, twisted versions of Christianity

when one loathes one's self, violence can be appealing... similarly, sex can seem distusting since nobody wants to have it said one