DISPATCHES

Reader Feedback on "Voicebox II: Politicizing Puberty: The Zoning of Child Sexuality in Art, Advertising, and the American Household"

There is much misunderstanding...that needs putting right there being the seasons of understanding as (nought) we approach a season of greater understanding as we futher open the heart...as we benifit from further developmentof the brains capability of its revealing of knowledge such as giving clear understanding of the human journey towards spiritual enlighenment.. it having been a long journey ... unto the weary as the abused ... champions of freedom .... do not suffer loss of heart... we having come through the deserts of time unto pastures that offer rich oppertuity in potential growth..... the internet a gift to aid such oppertunity that we gather rich a harvest.... Allah be Praised .... God is Great .... xxxx xx x ... .. .
--ww
09/17

For Sally, and Noelle, Grit, promise, pain and bliss... Life. Your children, for you, Sally. Your words, for you Noelle. I thank you both for looking, then seeing, then saying in your own form, what you glean. Bliss, grit, promise, pain... Love.
--ES
11/01

Hello Sally...My name is Victor...I only wanted to ask...are/were those kids your children? If so, why not take a picture of them and you, altogether? I do like some of the pictures I found in this article...and I would like to see more :-D
--VMB
05/27

Sally is filled with a passionate reality, and I am so proud she is a fellow American, who is not influenced by the majority of money oriented gallery's. It is hard to critique a body of work, without prejudice, and imbedded sub-conscious experience. I will go so far to say, that her work is far ahead of the society that judges her. Americans are living in a homoginized society, far removed from thier own voice, most are apathetic and helpless, hiding behind there illusions in some form of religious front. Society is so tainted from religious guilt, that they are incapcitated, to see the honest form of beauty, this women has created.
--fbg
11/11

Some people lead fully creative lives. Art is enmeshed in their being and, therefore, in their environment. The rest of us are profoundly jealous.
--ARG
11/04

I grew up in a culter in the 50s and 60s that said sex was dirty. And yet, as a kid at school I heard boys and girls my age getting it on with teachers and thought nothing about it. Some even bosting about their little acting. What has changed?
--ESJ
12/08

I have never been as absorbed in a single photograph as I am when I view Sally Mann's prints. She has made such beautiful family photographs of children being, just BEING. I find her work to be extrodinarily simple and real in a way that I strive to imitate. To me, as an individual and an artist, there is nothing improper or sexually inappropriate about her photographs. Sally Mann has expressed herself naturally as an artist, and it is only the delusion of society that could possibly interpret her expression as inappropriate art.
--EAB
10/31

i worship your work very much . I studied a photograph and I would have taken a picture of my nieces all the time to project in schoole I got a severe criticism and i have been told "when you pictured like that you need to learn how to cope with an audit so hard". I agree with you very much when you said that kids it's impossible to take a picture of children who don't want but it's so eazy that they now what you want and show you thing from their world and its very exciting to see and when they see it they have more special expression. I don't think more interesting something marble from children
--gali
10/29

it is too bad that a child pornographer such as yourself hides behind the word "ART". Children of that age cannot make a decision to "give you" anything, especially their naked bodies. You are no better than the child molestor or rapist. You just rape their souls instead of their bodies. So stop hiding behind the word art, Come out and let us see what a sick person you truly are. Only then can you begin to get the help you so desperately need. I just hope Law Enforcement will get the children you exploited/raped/molested the help that they need, and soon.
--RR
09/15

You know, it could be that Mr. Hamilton just had no prior knowledge of Glenn Holland's past until recently and fired him (thus the removal of his name). He should not be made to answer for another man's crimes; this is like calling Adrien Brody a pedophile for starring in Roman Polanski's "The Pianist." I wouldn't say he's completely artistically pure (he does admit his work to be "erotic"), but if there's been anything sinister hidden in his work, it would've been found out long ago by his own actions--not by tacking another man's onto him.
--SB
09/12

As of July 23, 2005 David Hamilton's website has removed any mention of Glenn Holland. If that isn't an admission of guilt, I don't know what is.
--jqp
07/23

David Hamilton is a name long known for artistic nude images of young girls. Now it has come to light that his webmaster is a pedophile, none other than Glenn Holland (http://www.glenn-holland.info). It makes one re-evaluate what is art and what is not.
--ad
06/07

David Hamilton has spent 25 years trying to prove to the world that he is a photographic artist. This book is a record of that effort. Unfortunately, it has come to light in the last few years that his website (http://www.hamilton-archives.net) is managed by a convicted pedophile (Glenn Holland, see News One in Australia - http://onenews.nzoom.com/onenews_detail/0,1227,91447-1-7,00.html), which opens the question: Is Hamilton a talented photographer whose subjects are young girls or is he a pedophile who happens to use a camera very well?
--GRH
05/09

There are many pedophiles that hide behind the curtain of art to justify their own sexuality in the public eye. My belief is that David Hamilton is one of those people. Although his photographic work is arguably 'artistic' and he goes to great lengths to link give his images historical references, his credibility (and judgement) becomes questionable when one reads who he has running his official web site; a person named Glenn Roderick Holland. Mr. Holland is well known to Australian police as a pedophile. He spent two and a half years in prison there for sexual assault of a child (http://onenews.nzoom.com/onenews_detail/0,1227,91447-1-7,00.html). Since then he's been brought to trial at least one more time and was fined for importing child pornography. Now, I ask you, if Mr. Hamilton were a serious artist, why would he bring his reputation into question by hiring a convicted pedophile? If Mr. Hamilton wanted to keep his name beyond reproach, why would he associate with a known pedophile? I think that the only answer is that he and Mr. Holland are long time friends and associates and they have mutual interests. That seems to indicate that Mr. Hamilton is a pedophile who happens to also be good with a camera.
--JQP
05/07

I've been a fan of Hamilton for many years, but must admit, now that I know that the person he hired to be his webmaster spent two and a half years in an Australian jail for sexual assault of a child, I've begun to wonder about Hamilton's true professionalism. Take a look at http://www.hamilton-archives.net under contact, there you'll see the smoking gun, 'Copyright | David Hamilton and Glenn Holland 1969�2004'. If Hamilton did not trust Mr. Holland implicitly, then why would he let him share in the copyright notice and why would he hire him to be 'Webmaster, management, image editing | Glenn Holland'? Now take a look at an article by News One, http://onenews.nzoom.com/onenews_detail/0,1227,91447-1-7,00.html. Holland was arrested and convicted in Australia in 1988. Note as well, that subsequently, he was also fined for importing of child pornography and as late as the early 1990s had been charged on yet another child sex crime. I ask you, if David Hamilton were beyond reproach, why would he associate with someone like Glenn Holland?
--jp
04/19

Date: Fri, 2 Jul 2004 14:40:24 -0700 (PDT) From: "Fima Fimovich" Add to Address Book Subject: browser hijackers I would like to send you some links to publications about my criminal case. Would you like to review materials and give your opinion what possible to do now. I have consequences hard to live now. My case are getting public attention now as an example of miscarriage of justice. I could not defend myself, because I did not have enough money for computer expert. Now I have computer expert compant willing to work on Pro bono basis. They are defeating 75% cases. This case may become high profile case I was forced to confess for possession of child porn. I got browser hijackers while browsing the web. I was redirected to illigal sites against my will. Some illigal pictures were found on my hard drive only after recovering in unallocated clusters, without dates of files creation/download. I do not know how can courts press widely on people to convict them, while whole Internet is a mess. This is publication in Wired news http://www.wired.com/news/infostructure/0,1377,63391,00.html This is publication in Theregester http://www.theregister.co.uk/2004/05/13/browser_hijacking_risks/ This is article in Washington Times, May 22, 2004 There is information about my case. http://www.washtimes.com/commentary/20040521-084242-5633r.htm This is publication in Globe and Mail http://www.globeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20040617.gttwhijac17/BNStory/Technology/ This is my story in www.inquisition21.com http://www.inquisition21.com/article~view~7~page_num~3.html The same case overturned: http://www.mnsun.com/story.asp?city=apple_valley&story=139174 The problems with my case were police forensics never searched for Trojans. They even did not provide Dates of files creation/downloaded. All they wrote in criminal complaint: all pictures found in unallocated clusters. Illigal pictures were deleted. Probably they were deleted from Internet cash, manually. I usually did this. I think there was not the same hard drive clusters allocated to Internet Cash all the time. So after they are deleted, pics may be found in unallocated space. May be I am wrong? My computer was held at Mitsubishi Electric office from July 29 to September 13, when they took off hard drive and sent it to police. HR person was angry with me. She later called the police and made false statement that I told her I had illigal porn on my laptop. If I was an idiot, I could do this. Why worker of Mitsubishi did this terrible thing, I do not know. But this is crime too, and may be much terrible crime. Police searched my house on september 17, 2002, and found nothing. The confiscated PC, and laptop My friend ordered for me on Ebay. I was owner of this laptop only 4 weeks. In criminal complaint they put 16 pictures found in unallocated clusters, again without files names, folders, Dates. How it was possible to link those images to me. How It could be from forensic point of view. Also Police officer put in criminal complaint that I told him I downloaded child porn. Again I am not an idiot. They just needed to create case. Fima.
--Fima
07/13

estrinyefim@yahoo.com I would like to send you some links to publications about my criminal case. Would you like to review materials and give your opinion what possible to do now. I have consequences hard to live now. My case are getting public attention now as an example of miscarriage of justice. I could not defend myself, because I did not have enough money for computer expert. Now I have computer expert compant willing to work on Pro bono basis. They are defeating 75% cases. This case may become high profile case I was forced to confess for possession of child porn. I got browser hijackers while browsing the web. I was redirected to illigal sites against my will. Some illigal pictures were found on my hard drive only after recovering in unallocated clusters, without dates of files creation/download. I do not know how can courts press widely on people to convict them, while whole Internet is a mess. This is publication in Wired news http://www.wired.com/news/infostructure/0,1377,63391,00.html This is publication in Theregester http://www.theregister.co.uk/2004/05/13/browser_hijacking_risks/ This is article in Washington Times, May 22, 2004 There is information about my case. http://www.washtimes.com/commentary/20040521-084242-5633r.htm This is publication in Globe and Mail http://www.globeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20040617.gttwhijac17/BNStory/Technology/ This is my story in www.inquisition21.com http://www.inquisition21.com/article~view~7~page_num~3.html The same case overturned: http://www.mnsun.com/story.asp?city=apple_valley&story=139174 The problems with my case were police forensics never searched for Trojans. They even did not provide Dates of files creation/downloaded. All they wrote in criminal complaint: all pictures found in unallocated clusters. Illigal pictures were deleted. Probably they were deleted from Internet cash, manually. I usually did this. I think there was not the same hard drive clusters allocated to Internet Cash all the time. So after they are deleted, pics may be found in unallocated space. May be I am wrong? My computer was held at Mitsubishi Electric office from July 29 to September 13, when they took off hard drive and sent it to police. HR person was angry with me. She later called the police and made false statement that I told her I had illigal porn on my laptop. If I was an idiot, I could do this. Why worker of Mitsubishi did this terrible thing, I do not know. But this is crime too, and may be much terrible crime. Police searched my house on september 17, 2002, and found nothing. The confiscated PC, and laptop My friend ordered for me on Ebay. I was owner of this laptop only 4 weeks. In criminal complaint they put 16 pictures found in unallocated clusters, again without files names, folders, Dates. How it was possible to link those images to me. How It could be from forensic point of view. Also Police officer put in criminal complaint that I told him I downloaded child porn. Again I am not an idiot. They just needed to create case. Fima.
--Fima
07/13

this can be an unwieldly issue and Ms. levine has managed to apprehend it gracefully. sex is neither good nor bad, and the problem is not that people don't understand it's innate "power" or "nature" but that we forget that we make up the rules as we go along and that we have to realise how nuanced and complex it is,"it" is not out "there", or in "here", a seperate entity,but an extension of eveything else we do as cultural beings. it isnt a mystery or something to be feared,but deserves as much respect as anything else we do. basically make sure it functions for the best, and doesnt become a liabilty as it does in the case of the underpriviledged and undereducated.
--S.V.
12/11

brillian, brilliant, brilliant. james kincaid's response is by far the most intelligent. naomi wolf talks about inherent sexuality and so does A.M Holmes!!! their observations have absolutely no critical rigour. instead of looking at the processes underpinning the very terms and nature and premises of the debate,"childhood", "sexuality" as mr. kincaid does,they take it at face value and stay at the level of presumption,they don't contexualise the argument,as something that has cultural, social and political roots and impact.they don't problematise the terms themselves, (thereby allowing themselves only a for/against, yes/no approach) which is often key for a good critique.
--s.v.
12/11

THE propaganda that passes as pragmatism is prevalent in the crowd that wants to make a game of sexuality and teaches that what is needed is more sex education and condoms. Sex in its truly healthy expression, is not meant to be "safe". Far from safe, it is the perfect symbol of vulnerablility for two people who are willing and able to love. You who teach otherwise lie to the children you judge to be sexual, just as you've probably been lying to yourself. THE reality is that the real thing - vulnerable love and sexuality - doesn't happen to kids, just as it probably has never happened in you.
--MLM
07/29

One can only hope, Ms. Levine, that persons of your nature are prohibited from breeding. Please seek psychotherapy at once, and stay away from the keyboard.
--jwf
07/23

As I read through the responses posted by others, I was impressed by the fact that every negative response fell into one of two camps. First, the intelligent, yet religious right, and those who could voice no logical argument, but only hurl insults. Is it right or wrong? I cannot say. I do not know. The simple truth is it varies from situation, to situation, and from child to child. The only thing I can do is tell my own story. Its free, so take it for what its worth. When I was 7 yrs old I had a sexual encounter, with a 10 yr old girl down the street. We did not have sex, but we did everything short of actual penetration. I was shy, and scared. She was bigger than me and aggressive. At first I didn't want to, but soon found myself enjoying it. Is that wrong??? I do not know. Was she a child molester? Most people would say no, as she was just a child herself. That same year I had an experience with an older stepbrother, who was in his early teens. At this point most people begin to scream molestation. I was curious, as was he. And this time I was entirely consenting. Though the naysayers would tell me I don't know my own mind, and that I could not have been consenting. Perhaps...maybe I was manipulated. All I know for sure is at the time it was enjoyable. Not because it was sexual, but because it was new and different. A couple of years later, a similar occurrence happened with my real brother. Once again I was entirely consenting, however this time I was nine, and he was 15. A clear case of child molestation, or was it? In every case it was pleasant, and only in the first case was I forced to do anything I didn't initially want to do. Once again I ask you was I molested? I suffered no lasting physical or emotional scaring from these incidents. Well not till I was approaching my mid teens. It was at this time I began to see what society had to say about my experiences. That was VERY difficult. Society forced me to either condemn myself, as a homosexual, or to condemn my brother as a child molester. I am not attracted to men, so therefore I can't be gay, so my brother MUST be a child molester. Since I love my brother very much this was a hard conclusion to come to. In the end, those of you who claim to be able to judge right from wrong, for someone other than yourself, do at least as much damage to children as the sexual acts themselves do. For some reason people refuse to consider the fact that people of ALL ages have a mind of their own. That children will make choices, most of them are not good choices, because they do not have the experience to make good judgments, however if the do not make these choices they will NEVER have the experience. Rape is rape, regardless of age, and should be punished accordingly, however sex between people of different ages, is not necessarily rape. Creating laws and sociological stigma's to govern human sexuality is a paramount of folly. Be careful those of you who see only black and white. For in your moral rectitude you may do as much damage as those sick and evil people who rape and molest, for only there own pleasure and profit. EnigmaIAM@Hotmail.com
--SDW
05/27

What a sick bitch! Sexual Abuse is a 'potentially wonderful part of growing up"? I think that sexual abuse survirors & incest survivors should let Levine know what they think of a book, that professes attraction to children to be something to embraced! Levine, you have just wrote a book that child sexually predators will use to justify their actions for years to come. Sleep well.
--JH
05/02

I've never responded to these types of sites so I'm not sure who I am responding to. I hope it's to Sally Mann. I love her work!!!! I am the mother of 3 beautiful children also, and I want to document every little thing I love about them. I love the way the nape of their neck looks when they play in the tub and how they grunt on the little potty. It means nothing more than that. These things are special to me because I love my kids and thank god for them every day. I don't ever want to forget how my children look doing the things they do everyday. I think it should be easy enough for a reasonably intelligent person to see the difference between sick and beautiful!!!
--cj
03/20

Sally Mann's photographic technique is reminiscent of Steinmetz, etc., but I find nothing unique, personal or charming in it. It is, to me, to mechanical and derivative. But her fame comes from the subjects of her photographs -- her children. Her fans admire the type of poses and expressions struck by the children, her detractors deplore the allegedly sexual implications of these poses and expressions. But these poses and expressions are ones we regularly see on the runways of high-fashion salons, and in professional wrestling rings. To me Sally Mann's photographs say, "This is what my children would look like if they were dead." All parents at one time or another have this fear. She has made a commodity of it, that's all.
--ks
12/22

There is nothing wrong with art until someone puts a stigmatisim on it and fucks it up for the rest of us. Now slap that on two slices of bread and munch a while!!!
--JOSE
11/27

When looking at Sally Mann photographs of her beautiful children, I am stirred with happiness. Never have I encountered innocents, love, vitality, and sensuality, in a manner that is true and pure in all of us from the day we are born. It is a shame that we teach our children to repress and redirected innate yearnings that live innocently within us all. We have made this world into a porn show. We live like cannibals, devouring sexuality and the coming of age, and spit it out in the shape of porn stars. There are no words to express the emotions that are pulled from the center of my belly when looking at these beautiful children. Life should be lived in beautiful fleeting moments. Sally Mann has captured these moments. Her children are not displayed as sex objects they are not being pimped and publicized like Britney Spears.
--NAS
11/26

Does Micheal Medved have a website or at least an email address? Please let me know at jllandon@kvalley.com Thank You LLL
--LLL
07/29

Dear, I-hope-you-die-by-choking-on-your-own-vomit-Kincaid Typically of sex offenders, you will find any number of excuses for what you do. You deserve nothing more or less than immense pain. And this is what I wish upon you, you child-molesting maggot. And you can send this wish to all your child-fucking friends. You are all going to scream before you find any mercy, let alone death. Have fun, scumsuckers. Yours very sincerely Somebody You Better Wish You Never Meet. Fuck U Peadophiles
--FUP
06/15

I'm reading Judith Levine's book _Harmful to Minors: The Perils of Protecting Children from Sex_, and what I would say to her is this: I just want to shout it from the rooftops: thankyouthankyouthankyouthankyou! At last, for the first time in quite a while, someone is actually showing some concern for what the _kids themselves_ might really think and feel and need (not their parents, not their preachers, not those adults who are attracted to them and repelled by that fact, not those adults who fear sex themselves). Our culture is extremely superstitious about sex (some of the entries below being splendid examples) and has always let those superstitions get in the way of honestly figuring out what healthy even IS, much less expressing it. Superstition has always led to grief and pain, and now it can even lead to death. The blood of young (and old) people who die from AIDS and unsafe abortions is on the hands of those who try to surpress forthright discussion of sexual pleasures and responsibilities. Oh, and by the way, I am a reasonably well-adjusted 32-year-old woman who had intercourse for the first time at 15 with a boyfriend 11 years my senior. It was a fairly long-term relationship (a year is very long for a teenager!), we only had sex twice--that was hardly the main focus of the relationship; books and music were a much greater priority for both of us. I was very much the aggressor sexually. We did use protection--condoms *and* Today sponge, thank you! (In my mind, there's an "Of course! Duh!" but I realize that is unfortunately not universal) and I have no regrets at all, think of it as a very pleasurable and caring initiation to an important part of life that does deserve a respectful coming-of-age rite all its own, and think of him quite fondly. And I've talked to enough other people to know that this experience is somewhat atypical, but certainly NOT freakish or extremely rare. So thankyouthankyouthankyou also for acknowledging that people like me exist. I'm sick of being told I'm nonexistent, "statistically insignificant," deluded, or lying when I know none of that is the case.
--MK
06/11

To a Christian such as myself who always attempts to find the truth at all costs, I must say that I have seen a lot of erroneous rhetoric on a fairly simple subject. Yes, most children experiment sexually in some way. People who freak out about this have problems. But there is a big difference between two prepubescents playing doctor and a youngster actually having sex. As a Christian I know that it is not sex that Jesus warned us about, but lust. I have felt lust as most people have, and I know that it is as far from love as hate is. I have known people who saw no problem with elicit sex and I have never known one who had a working, growing relationship with God. Sex outside of marriage is wrong. Using someone selfishly to get your rocks off is wrong. It doesn't matter if it is mutual or not. Too bad most of the Judith Levine-ivory towered-intellectual types will never grasp the simple truths about life. Being a healthy person requires us to discipline ourselves by saying "No" to 90% of the things we want. To be a child of God requires dying to self-will and allowing God's spirit to flow through you. This is the only way to be free and fulfilled. If you don't believe me, ask the myriad recovered addicts who have worked the 12 steps. I know for a fact that you can never grow if you are practicing sexual immorality.
--JAB
05/19

I really wish the script in the feedback forms would allow the author's own paragraph breaks to show. It really obscures the meaning. Diana Goodavage dearacteon@hotmail.com
--DG
05/14

I grew up in a home with pseudo-intellectuals (and, what "intellectual" isn't?) who believed many of the same things that the "Voice Box" panelists have written here. Lots of words like "sexuality," "eroticism," "freedom," "exploration," "expression," and "pleasure," frequently in the same conversation with "child" or "children." Since I myself was a child, I knew they were talking about me. But, I was too busy playing to worry about what those other words meant, although they were slightly troubling, and something seemed not quite right. So, when these people who raised me told me that I should freely express myself, and they wanted me to feel pleasure, I didn't like that, because I just wanted to play. I didn't want to be around them. They were kind of creepy. That was the peculiar thing about the Voice Box conversation---so much about children and innocence, yet nothing about playing, like REAL playing, as in games and such. Also, no talk about fun, real fun, the kind kids LIKE to have. The kind kids would choose to have on their own. Well, it turned out that they were creepy, as I suspected. They decided that I should be free to express myself sexually, whether I liked it or not. Then, they decided I should feel pleasure, whether I liked it or not. Yet, I was not allowed to play or read comic books. Those were the things I really wanted to do. I became a progressive/leftist because I knew about corrupt systems. I saw corrupt, unjust, degrading economic and political systems as a metaphor for the corrupt, unjust, degrading household system I'd grown up in. I wanted to fight the exploitation of the worker because it seemed to me like the exploitation I had suffered as a child. Imagine my surprise, then, when I discovered that many leftists/progressives discuss kid porn as if it were art. Now, of course, somebody will point out that the porn is *my* fantasy, but that the photos on this Website are nothing of the sort. Harrumph!! Well, unfortunately, kid porn has not been my fantasy, but my reality. Yes, I do know it when I see it. I also have had the misfortune of knowing a little about domination, because it was also forced on me in childhood. So, I recognize its language in that little essay "Nolo Me Tangere." Desire. Defiance. Get a life. Why, then, am I here? I clicked a link on the conservativepetitions.com Website, where I'd just signed the petition asking Governor Ventura to stop funding Judith Levine's book with tax money. Naomi Wolf meant that the Voice Box discussion was voyeuristic. She meant that the Voice Box discussion objectifies kids. She meant that it was obscene. She also meant that some folks might actually be writing these words, not so much as a journalistic, but as a pornographizing, exercise. She didn't want to be around the Voice Box discussion. It was kind of creepy. But, you knew that, didn't you? Diana Goodavage
--DG
05/14

It seems to me that the femenists have castrated our minds as well as our crotches. And GW is right there handing out the labotomy tools. Puberty hit me early, at ten. I was wanking at 8, ejaculating at 10 and that's when my voice changed. I was totally sexual, not innocent at all, and it was all I could think about. Kids today are being isolated and sterilized, if not outright tortured for being human. I had sex very early, as did many people I knew then. Not one of us suffered by this in any way. Snoop Dog, Danny Bonaduce, Anthony Keadis (of the REd Hot Chile Peppers) all lost their virginity at 12 or 13 with no ill affects whatsoever. They have no regrets and there is no reason for them to. This construct of childhood innocence and non-sexuality is a psychosis that is harming them in a brutal and permanent way. It's mental torture. Now if two kids fool around they can be arrested, just for doing what the judges and prosecutors used to do when THEY were young. Hmm, maybe we should quote the Bible back at the religious right, "Oh, thou hypocrite!" Someone should start an anti-anti-childsex movement called STOP THE BULLSHIT!
--MM
05/14

If I was helpless, I would not want someone to hurt me or my future mental health. Youngsters grow up. One day they will be in the position to determine the older adults' futures. Perhaps these who have dollar signs in their hearts that prompts them to sell precious youngsters' images will one day find their hearts have become as cold as the vault in which they are placing their money. I don't want to see youngsters in advertising.
--
05/07

I have just finished reading Juthith Levine's book, 'Harmful to Minors', and all I can say is wow! is this book long overdue. It was sensible, well-written, concise and erudite from cover to cover. It examines our current alarmist attitudes toward child sexuality and offers some good sound solutions to the problem of raising children in this hysterical society. Not once does she excuse or advocate violent, coercive or abusive sexual behavior toward children. Quite the contrary, I believe the author of this book cares very much about children, and would, as I would, like to see children raised in a safe, secure, happy, healthy and informed environment with love, care and affection. Those who read evil in this book are reading a different book, or perhaps haven't read it at all. And on a personal note, I first had sex at the age of 13 (I'm female). I was not in love, I was horny. And I had lots of sex in my teenage years. Any regrets? Yes, only two. That I did not have more information readily available in my environment on how to conduct myself safely, how to make better choices, and how to discuss my needs and pleasures with a partner. And I also regret that I lived in a society that could affirm a boy's sexuality in positive ways, but girls were ostracized for their desires; hell, a girl's desires were not only ostracized, but outright denied - and still are to an even stronger degree. But even at 40, I can still remember how it felt. It seems a lot of folks on this forum have a very short memory.
--CV
04/30

Bravo to Judith Levine. Ive long suspected that hysteria over child sexuality is more harmful to children than sex itself. I grew up centered and heterosexually healthy after having experienced 2 homosexual encounters at ages 7 and 10. Although, I am now aware that the men were concerned only with their own gratification, I was treated kindly and gave the incidences very little thought. I was also introduced to intercourse at age 14 by a twenty- three year old woman. Those memories are rich and warm and have enhanced my life. Sexual abuse? Certainly not in my case.
--JR.
04/13

You are sick. I will pray for you, that you may realize that satan is working through you. Child pornography? How can you say that a three year old chose to do such a thing? You can't you can only force them to do it or trick them. Again I say you are sick, and you have a warped sence of reality. Thanks, doug
--DM
04/13

To those who would use Christianity to "justify" their intolerance of difference, I suggest you step back and reexamine your belief system! If you appreciate the concept of an objective pursuit of truth, take the time to order and read this book, "The Christ Conspiracy: The Greatest Story Ever Sold." It does a remarkable job of placing Christianity in historical context, revealing the fraud and contradictions at its foundation... the blatant plagiarization of older myths and legends, particularly those of ancient astrology. The arguments and evidence presented cannot be lightly dismissed. At the very least, you will gain insight into the reasoning of those who reject your ideology.
--vis
04/09

Judith Levine: regarding your new book and the resulting furor, I just want to say "keep your chin up and stand by what you believe in!" The world needs more of those who would fight for the truth, even in the face of great controversy.
--md
04/09

I think Judith Levine is a pedophile and wants to normalize this behaviour through her writings so she doesn't feel so screwed up. Our society has to deal with these ill people but under no circumstance should we allow her deranged views on sexualizing our children be allowed to be published. I think the publishing company here is part of the agenda to make sex with children normal.
--cf
04/08

This is directly for Judith Levine. I read about the uproar over her book at ABC.com. I want to say "good for you" and "keep it up." My son, now 19, has been in a romantic relationship with an older woman for two years now and it's the best thing that ever happened to him. Again, Thank you.
--JRF
04/07

wow, this group really seems like a group of perverts. truly, i cant imagine having my whole existence be all about enticing our youth to have sex and "express" itself when there are so many other wonderful things to do when you are a CHILD!!!!!!theres so much time for that when you do actually have expeience and understanding of commitment and sexuality. i was really looking for a way to express my disgust with judith levine and the uni of minn press for the distasteful and pathetic release of HARMFUL TO CHILDREN. funny how their web site cant be accessed at this time. i came across this and am even more convinced that you all need to be reminded that we are more than our vaginas or our genitalia. i hope you all will see the light on this soon and stop poisining an already confused generation.
--ds
04/06

RE: JUDITH LEVINE and Evil Book I was astonished when I read that "Not Harmful to Children" was labeled as 'evil' by peers and other public nuisances. I do not believe having a dose of reality every once in a while is detrimental. I never knew what 'sex' was when I was a child, but it did not keep me from wanting to explore my own person. I can't remember ever being lured by an adult, it was always me, a 6 year old girl and no one touched me if I didn�t want to be touched. So up evil and continue forward with your book, not every one is a victim.
--MT
04/06

Judith Levine say's she thinks the reason there are 20,000 new HIV infections a year among people under 25 is largely a result of negligent safe-sex education. I think she is totaly wrong about this as well as most she says. It is my opinion that the reason we have so many HIV infections is because of people like her who promote values (0r she calls them values) of tolerance, negotiation and pleasure. If we did not yell so loud we must be tolerant to a practice that is clearly evil and wrong besides being totally against the Bible our children wouldn't be so infected with HIV. God destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah because of it's homosexuality and she says we must promote tolerance. It is our fault that 20 to 30 percent of gay youth will be infected by their thirtieth birthday. We are not supposed to be tolerant of evil, we should fight it.Yes I know that is not cool to some people but it is the truth. What we need is more truth today, not lies. Abortion is evil too and I see she is for that too. I know you liberals just hate to hear the bible quoted but God's word says'Children are an heritage of the Lord and the "fruit of the womb " is his reward. It is people like Judith Levine that is our problem. A person who promotes child molestation, homosexuality and abortion and pleasure at the cost of human lives. Yes, the lives of our youth who will get AIDS for their practice of homosexuality, the lives of the innocent through abortion. Yes, people will give voice to people like her and yell "freedom of speech" but let you start talking about the Holy Bible and what it has to say that is contrary to what she says and we hear "intolerance", bigotry" and oh yes "not cool". I hope no one ever tells me I am "cool" if I have to be a person that ignores God's word and listen to people such as Judith Levine.
--HLK
04/05

Kudos to Judith Levine for knocking another chip out of the iceberg of denial in the western world when it comes to infantile/child sexuality. Certainly the evidence is in: for the most part, when an adult (powerful) sexualizes a child (far less powerful), it is traumatizing. This has been demonstrated to be a cross cultural phenomenon. But as part of healthy peer-peer interaction (beginning in very early infancy), for youngsters to explore their very pleasurable genitals is quite normal. We harm children far more by punishing them (and often their innocent "abusers") than any harm arising out of the act itself.
--jgb
04/05

Your a very sick puppy to advocate sex with children. You should join the other perverted sick organziation called: NAMBLA who raped, tortured and mudered young boys!!!! What rock did you turn up from? You boot published with tax payers money is disgusting and should be burnt!!!
--dr
04/05

I think Judith Levine is another cancer on America, just like the A.C.L.U......People For The American Way,
--p.l.
04/05

HI, I would like to know how I can communicate with judith levine. Is there an email address that I can write her to. Thank You.
--HM
04/04

I have no idea who will be reading this but I hope that Ms. Levine will be one of them.I have heard from a very reliable radio station that Ms. Levine supports the priests that molested the children. I just wanted to ask a simple question. Is Ms. Levine a catholic? If she is than she does not know what being a catholic means. A catholic believes in the teachings of Jesus Christ and the Bible. A catholic should not support a pedophile that just happens to be a priest. These type of people desperately need the guidance of the church but should not be anywhere near children. I pray everynight for people like Ms. Levine and those priests who do not have enough common sense to know the difference between right and wrong. Children these days are faced with so much, why on earth would anyone make there burdens any greater by trying to have a sexual relationship with a 10 or 11 year old!!! THEY ARE CHILDREN!
--JC
04/04

What few words I have read and seen of your work (and I plan to read more,) is so refreshing to see a REAL objective analysis of this subject. This subject has always been discussed in extreams as either absolute obstention (typically found in church docturn) or full permissiveness (like NAMBLA). When I was a young male I had an intent desire for an adult male relationship. I am not gay, I am a somewhat happy married man with two children now. I thank you very much for your work, and will encourage others to read it too.
--MBE
04/02

I don't know who this message is going to get to. However, I feel the need to voice just one of my many feelings about Judith Levine and her lack of morals. I hope with much desperation that Ms. Levine NEVER has a child. That child would be in great moral danger.
--BW
04/02

When a prepubescent child behaves in a sexual way with themselves, other children or adults, they do so with the emotions and pyschology of a child at their particular stage of development. When an adult behaves or relates in a sexual way to another adult, adolescent or prebuscent child, they do so with the emotions, psychology and means of social interaction of an adult. Adults are quite capable of confusing the sexuality of a prepubescent child with the sexuality of an adult and they are capable of assuming the two are the same when in fact the two are not the same. What a child brings to a social interaction is very different from what an adult brings to a social interaction. Personally, as an adult, I seek to share my adult emotions and pyschology with other adults. However this is not the need of "markets" where the paramont concern is the dollar value exchanged and gained. Where the emotional,psychological and social confusion between people (adult/adult or adult/child) is not a realistic concern.
--bjw
03/28

I was just curious when the article of Nole me Tangere was written and when te response by Sally MAnn was written thank you if you could write me at kdreynol@indiana.edu that would be great
--kdr
04/19

This is in regards to Sally Mann's work including her children. When I look at her work, it reminds me of my childhood. That is all I see, and her wonderful portrayal of youth(her children). I see nothing vulgar about her work, nor sexual. I think her work is full of emotions, and when I look at "Candy Cigarette"..I think, gee I remember those and playing with them and loving that wonderful taste. Then when I look at "Black Eye" I think of the sadness that picture projects, and it makes me feel something. I think art is supposed to make us feel, and her work makes me feel. Sally Mann is just a wonderful artist(photographer) that loves to take pictures of her family. If anyone finds vulgarness in her pictures, it is their pervertedness, not hers. I think children nude are rather sweet, and I have photographs myself of my child nude. I don't think of those photographs in a sexual way. I don't think Sally Mann should change her style to suit the so called Puritans of today's society either. Listen, if something offends you, don't look at it. I love her work and creativeness and am glad that someone has enough talent to bring back some of my childhood memories and not be afraid to put them in photos. If one ever views her work as perverted, it is them with the perverted mind. God, why can't people look at nude photographs without thinking sex all the time. Makes me sick, nudity in art has been around since Michaelangelo, and before that. Keep up your wonderful work..touch me Sally Mann. I love it. I wish I had your talent. I know your children are very proud that you are such a good photographer, and I envy you.
--aura
04/15

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