CNN.com - Sex: whoa! Violence: who cares? - May 13, 2005

Brilliantly put! It's terribly odd that we cringe at a breast being stroked but not a chest slashed open or a decapitation (Demolishion Man: Rated PG). And not to put too fine a point to it, says something terribly disturbing about the manner in which we view sex *gasp! eww! peek...oooh...cough...klenex* and violence *did you see my l33t character frag them 14m3r? I ru1ez with my l33t mad skillz* and the very very odd dicotomy between them.

It's also like saying we revel in the destruction of life, limb and property (see video games) but wince at the position creation of life (sex) or pleasure (sex again)

But before I get to the explicit sex part *don't go aww on me now*, going to make a quick comment on censorship. In particular that one of the oddities of censorship and age restriction is the capacity to increase choice. So, with the new NC16 and M18 categories, I get to rent more types of movies. Unfortunate the last one I watched was Blade Trinity which had absolutely no redeeming properties except for the various fight scenes, I mean if it made me lose my dinner, at least I might have lost some weight *Public Service Announcement* if you think you or someone is suffering from a psychological weight disorder, there is no shame in seeking help.

Anyway, I think the Scandinavian Countries have got the right attitude. Cartoons like Tom & Jerry are banned on TV for their depiction of comic violence. In some ways comic violence is worse than realistic portrayals of violence. If violence isn't realistic, I think it is easier for us to adopt a dissociation with the effects of violence. Realistic violence on the other hand remind us of the real and awful effects of violence and at the same time provide a form of catharsis than most stressed out teenagers need.

Another reason why Scandinavian Countries get it right is that sex education starts early, like around the age of 12. More importantly, pornography is available from age 15 up. Seriously people, what's with this nudity taboo thing? We didn't come into this world clothed. Modesty is detrimental especially when all we see are pictures of scantily clad models who have bodies that the other 99.99999999% of the rest of us will never attain. If more of us went around naked, I think insecurity could be a thing of the past.

So here are some suggestions for sexual education in our sunny island

1. Junk those abstinence only policies. Say no to the simplistic notion of unthinking no sex before marriage. Some teenagers are mature enough to get into a sexual relation without screwing their lives. And some of them could seriously do with some pleasure in their lives. Sex = No more lousy angsty CAP. stuff. Besides sex improves your grades (AMJ study), and we want to maintain Singapore's rankings don't we? =)

2. Teach safer sex in class. Hands up those of you who know that STDs can be transmitted through unprotected oral sex. And guys? It's not just the gals at risk.

3. REALLY teach safer sex in class. Condoms work, it's just the human element that screws up. Contrary to what Focus on the Family thinks, condoms work. In fact, even with the amazing ineptitute you see in everyday life, regular usage of condoms create a preganancy risk of about 1-2%, and lower for STDs.

The problem is with the human side of things, so not putting a condom on properly or accidental tears and breaks are the real reason why things go to heel in a handcart. So maybe it's time to stop blushing and stay getting some of those kids to experiment first hand how to put on a condom on a realistic model penis. After all, you really want to put everything on hold an read the instructions on how to put on a condom? Or worse, the embarrassment of not knowing how to put one on causes the person to have sex unprotected.

4. Real sexual intercourse education. Instinct? *Snort snort hee hee giggle*, it's not like Mills and Boons or those awful Harry Potter fanfiction.

5. What is Sex? It's not simply about insertion and penetration. They are many ways to get off without having sex. In fact this was the real suggestion by Clinton's Health Tzar (and not the ones attributed to her by the Conservatives). Better mutual masturbation than sexual intercourse.

*Mr. Fluffy appears and shoots the author with a toxic blowdart, hogties him and drags him from the room before he continues ranting*

Mr Fluffy says, "Peace!"