Growth in exhibitionism traced to porn
June 4th, 2007An AP story today speaks volumes about where we are as a culture. It’s a story about the pervasiveness of pornography in our society, and how young women are becoming more and more exhibitionist in an attempt to flaunt their sexuality.
Porn used to be relegated to a video hidden in the bottom drawer, or a magazine under the mattress. Today, it’s part of everyday life.
Hugh Hefner’s girlfriends have become TV’s “girls next door.” Porn stars have MySpace pages and do voiceovers for video games. And while “porn on demand” is standard for hotel TVs and upgraded cable packages, it’s even easier to find it with a few clicks on the computer.
In April, more than a third of the U.S. Internet audience visited sites that fit into the online “adult” category, according to comScore Media Metrix.
So the message is clear: In today’s world, sex doesn’t just sell. The pervasiveness of porn has made sexiness — from subtle to raunchy — a much-sought-after attribute online, at school and even at work.
Many agree that the trend has had a particularly strong influence on young women — in some cases, taking shape as an unapologetic embracing of sexuality and exhibitionism.
Fear grips me when I think about my responsibility of raising godly children in our smut-filled world. Only by God’s grace can Christian parents hope to navigate these treacherous waters successfully.
I hear you loud and clear Tim. I have 2 boys and 2 girls. I am ashamed of the trash that we live in. It is a 24/7 battle to shield our children as well as our wifes and even ourselves. I attended a weekend seminar with my oldest son a couple of years ago with my oldest son that was titled swiming upstream in a sexually saturated world. It helped open us both out as how to guard ourselves. I also worry about my daughters as well. We are verry selective of what we let all our children view as it is equally bad for the girls. I also far that if they (the girls) see women dressed inmodestly they will want t wear those clothes to gain the same attention. We as husbands and have great fathers have a huge responsibility. We must pray for strength and guidance.
The problem is probably more pervasive than we realize. The ethic of today’s society is that you leverage what you have to get what you want. Young girls learn very quickly the power of sexuality. They use that power to build their self esteem. The poblem is of course that this form of self esteem is very fleeting and creates a shallow and debased human being.
I see this played out even in church youth groups in the way girls dress. So many times we frame the discussion of modesty in terms of how short is too short, what skin you can expose and what must be covered up. While there may be a place for that discussion, the root of the issue is what we believe about power. When was the last time you heard modesty discussed in reference to one’s bragging about athletic prowess, grades, or wealth. Modesty is about so much more than just acceptable clothes
Jesus said, “The rulers of the Gentiles, lord it over them, but it will not be so with you.” What he meant by that was, according to the world’s ethics, you use your power (sexuality, athletic prowess, money, intelligence etc.) as leverage to get what you want out of life. So what does it look like when a community of God’s people simply refuse to play that game? I’m afraid that far too few of us really know.
Certainly the way this is manifesting itself with these girls is to some degree a funtion of our culture. However, this desire to exhalt self is simply the sin nature coming out. It’s not a result of ‘low self-esteem’ but of an overly inflated view of self. A view that says getting what I want is the most important thing in the world.
The scriptures remind us that all behavior like this is the result first and foremost of a wicked heart not of the environment we find ourselves in:
“And he said, “What comes out of a person is what defiles him. For from within, out of the heart of man, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, coveting, wickedness, deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride, foolishness.” Mark 7:20-22
The task of raising children is certainly more difficult in the permissive age in which we live. However, we must not misdiagnose the problem and major on the minors by seeking to deal only with behavior (as does the psychology represented by the so-called experts in the article). We must see the real root cause of things such as this and point these young ladies towards the real solution, repentance and faith in Jesus Christ.
I agree with you Joel, I have even seen problems within the church (not just the youth but with the dress of the adults). My wife and I have even addressed the issue to the pastor and elders.
I also agree with you Larry the root of this evil does stem from our sinfull hearts.
As I said before we must pray for one another in this battle.
I’ve always heard the term, “it’s a man’s world,” but for a long time now, I’ve truly believed that women set the standards as to what’s acceptable and what’s not acceptable when it comes to sexual behavior.
I don’t know how the standards will be raised. I cringed earlier this evening when I turned on TV, clicked over to the preview channel and saw a feature on the “girls gone wild”: Paris Hilton, Britney Spears and Lindsay Lohan. AND the wonderful news that those three are now huge role models for younger girls. Lovely.
Is it a crazy idea to form a self sustaining compound to create the ultimate shield?
Is it a crazy idea to form a self sustaining compound to create the ultimate shield?
They already have them… they’re called monasteries.
j razz
How about a heavily fortified monastery with bunkers?