Question 2:
Most of you seem to agree that child sexuality is natural and normal on its own, but becomes problematic in the context of our culture. Do late-twentieth-century images (e.g. Calvin Klein ads, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Barbie, etc.), books (most famously, Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret, Forever and other books by Judy Blume), and films (Kids, the new Lolita, PG-rated movies with sex and nudity) involving child/adolescent sexuality promote or encourage kids to become sexually active before their time? Do they influence the rates of teen pregnancy and STDs, and the age at which kids lose their virginity today? Or, could it be argued that they promote positive sexual identities, comfort with one's own changing body, better gender/sexual relations and a freedom to ask questions?




A. M. Homes


In response to Naomi Wolf's message -- I too am aggravated, and very much in agreement with Stephen's response.
     There is something that sounds strangely accusatory in her tone; rather than backing off if the discussion wasn't what she expected, I would have hoped that she'd raise a few questions and redirect it rather than walk away shaking her head. Yes, let's talk about our obligation to protect children, or whether we think we are obligated to protect them from sexual exploitation by adults -- I very strongly believe that we are. Let's talk about the ways in which children and teens develop and test out their sexuality and how adults and society/culture function as role models. Let's talk about what it means to be a mother and an ex-girl-child and how those experiences influence other experiences and shift perception . . . Let's talk. By walking away Naomi does something all too common: instead of dealing with the serious, difficult and disturbing issues, she is removing herself from them, which is exactly what we as a society/culture all too often do; that continuing refusal to acknowledge or take on these issues exacerbates the problems. Until we find a way of talking about these subjects and how they make us feel, the exploitation/abuse of children will continue. And until people take responsibility for generating and developing appropriate conversations, we are stuck.


Judith Levine and Stephen Schiff respond to Naomi Wolf's valediction
Question 1
A. M. Homes
James Kincaid
Judith Levine
Michael Medved
Stephen Schiff
Celine Texier-Rose
Naomi Wolf


Question 2
A. M. Homes
James Kincaid
Judith Levine
Michael Medved
Stephen Schiff
Celine Texier-Rose
Naomi Wolf


Question 3
A. M. Homes
James Kincaid
Judith Levine
Michael Medved
Stephen Schiff
Celine Texier-Rose
Sally Mann


Question 4
A. M. Homes
James Kincaid
Judith Levine
Michael Medved
Stephen Schiff
Celine Texier-Rose



©1998 A. M. Homes and Nerve.com