TELEVISION SEX, NOT "LADS' MAGS", IS THE PROBLEM.

We are confronted, on an almost daily basis, by various pressure groups complaining about pornography. They whine about pictures on the covers of so-called "lads' mags", and whinge about "Page 3" girls in the tabloid press. Even our political masters, led by the Prime Minister, have joined in on the campaign to rid us of this supposed evil.

 

Looking at 'dirty pictures' is something that has probably been practiced since there were humans on the earth. Indeed, many of the murals from ancient civilisations depict what at least some of today's anti-pornography brigade would consider disgusting, degrading, humiliating, exploitative, ya-di-ya-di-ya. That many of today's children, who are considered to be most at risk from this shocking trade, have probably seen the same things 'up close and personal' by the age of 13 or 14 seems to pass the would-be censors by. Instead, they just shout louder and louder, demanding an end to the public displays of naked bodies, though it's only female bodies that seem to bother them.

 

While all of this yatter goes on, no one appears to be concerned about the regular displays of overt nudity and sexual performance that are broadcast on our televisions, almost nightly. Films, dramas and even 'soaps' are choc-a-bloc with gratuitous shots of naked people climbing in and out of bed and wandering around, something which used to be a genuine 'no-no'. We have plenty of ugly kissing and groping and more than enough of sweaty, naked bodies rolling around in scenes of simulated sex acts. The grunts, groans, and climaxes are vividly portrayed by actors, both men and women, who seem to have no shame and no sense of common decency. Why is there no outcry against all of this ?

 

Our children are not at risk from newsagents' racks of 'dirty mags', but they may well be at risk from the ways in which relationships are portrayed on television and in films. The way in which characters speak, and the language they use, as well as the ease and frequency with which they leap in and out of bed and change partners, inevitably leads impressionable young people to mimic this way of life. For programme and film makers to claim, as they do, that their products imitate 'real life' and do not lead it, is risible; they regularly go to the very edge of what is considered acceptable in order to attract audiences through the extreme nature of their output.

 

While the portrayal of semi-naked bodies in magazines and newspapers may be a little tacky, it's the far worse images which appear on our screens that are the real danger. When will politicians, and others, start to tackle this far more insidious business ?