Is it wrong for teenagers to watch porn?

[odeon]

It's perfectly natural, I would just tell them I do not want to see it and not to fuck up my computer. On the legal end of it: In the States, porn is only 18+ because that is most the prudish Christians could push.

I take it you don't have kids.

[bodie]

The OP didn't state a level of porn.  'Just porn' it says.  My previous reply relates directly to the question.  My answer did not take into account 'hard core porn'  - which is subjective anyway!

I would not condone 'DP Midget's on crucifix's' or anything like that.

[odeon]

It's a tricky question to answer and trickier still after trying to come up with a more definitive take. I've started writing thoughtful replies only to delete them again soon afterwards.

I think I'll deal with the situation when I have to, if I have to. I'll certainly not attempt that serious discussion with my teenagers unless I'm forced into it, though.

[bodie]

The thing is,  being too prudish about stuff could rub off and a kid could grow up thinking
sex is dirty.  That is not good.

I don't think there is anything wrong with some fifteen year olds watching...say..porky's, or looking at titties.  Titties are art, afterall.

Gonna be a hypocrite here and say if i had a daughter, i would be much more strict, and would poke my nose in her affairs a bit more.  I know, I know...just being honest.

[odeon]

Exactly. I don't think it would help anything to be too prudish.

I do have a daughter. I'm trying very hard not to be too strict, but I've threatened to lock her in the cellar until she is 30 or so if she goes out in some of her outfits... Didn't help. She asked her mother instead.

[bodie]

I understand where you are coming from,  but you should try and lighten up on the outfits   The thing is,  even if her mum had said no would she eventually start to get changed at her mates? That is what i used to do.  It is secretive and not nice.

What if she were out somewhere and got in danger somehow... i dunno, what if she became seperated from her friends and got lost or something...you would want her to call you, wouldn't you?  Well if she is out wearing something she shouldn't she is going to hesitate...and you don't want that! 

I know it is hard but she is likely only wanting to wear what the other young girls are wearing.

[odeon]

I understand where you are coming from,  but you should try and lighten up on the outfits   The thing is,  even if her mum had said no would she eventually start to get changed at her mates? That is what i used to do.  It is secretive and not nice.

What if she were out somewhere and got in danger somehow... i dunno, what if she became seperated from her friends and got lost or something...you would want her to call you, wouldn't you?  Well if she is out wearing something she shouldn't she is going to hesitate...and you don't want that! 

I know it is hard but she is likely only wanting to wear what the other young girls are wearing.

You're right, of course. I know you are.

[midlifeaspie]

How would anyone propose to stop them?  It's like running water now.

[bodie]

I think that parents like to hope they have full control over little Johnny Snotball and what information goes into his head,  but when you have outside influences such as school, and mates
etc then inevitably some of the control is lost.

 

[midlifeaspie]

I think that parents like to hope they have full control over little Johnny Snotball and what information goes into his head,  but when you have outside influences such as school, and mates
etc then inevitably some of the control is lost.

I am trying not to go into this with the expectation of total control, in order to prevent bitter disappointment later

[Icequeen]

Oh hell, I remember sitting in the closet with friend and a flashlight when I was 13 looking at porn on 8mm film rolls...her dad used to supply the after-hours movie show for the local fire department (her 10yr old brother later got busted trying to peddle the "preview inserts" at school to his friends ), that was after we got past the lock on the liquor cabinet and replaced the 1/4 bottle of dago red wine we drank with colored water to make it look like it was still almost full.

He's going to look, I'd have to be very naive and stupid to think that he won't.

I just pray every night to the stars that he isn't as rotten or creative as I was. Because if he is, I'm in deep shit.

[TA]

It's perfectly natural, I would just tell them I do not want to see it and not to fuck up my computer. On the legal end of it: In the States, porn is only 18+ because that is most the prudish Christians could push.

I take it you don't have kids.

Nope, does that invalidate my opinion?

[MissKitty]

But I think as a parent it's okay (and good) to say hey, this is where MY level of comfort is so let's work out some sort of compromise and unless it's something that puts you in danger (then what I say goes) I'm going to let you use your own judgement.

That's the approach I've taken with my kids and so far *fingers crossed* its worked. My kids don't always do the things I like, and that's okay because they're individuals. But it's my responsibility as a parent to help them discover all sides to a topic/situation and then let them have their own experience and practice using their own judgement.

they also know that even if I don't agree, they can come to me with questions and we'll discuss.

['andersom']

But I think as a parent it's okay (and good) to say hey, this is where MY level of comfort is so let's work out some sort of compromise and unless it's something that puts you in danger (then what I say goes) I'm going to let you use your own judgement.

That's the approach I've taken with my kids and so far *fingers crossed* its worked. My kids don't always do the things I like, and that's okay because they're individuals. But it's my responsibility as a parent to help them discover all sides to a topic/situation and then let them have their own experience and practice using their own judgement.

they also know that even if I don't agree, they can come to me with questions and we'll discuss.

If, as a parent, you can tell your kids that "level of comfort" is important, you teach kids to take their own comfort serious.

The first time kids have sex, should be a safe thing, not only STD and pregnancy wise, also when it comes to kids feeling comfortable with what they do.

The porn kids can see now is different from what was available 25 years ago. That can't be changed. But, it does ask for telling kids that what they think, and what they feel, and what they want, and what scares them or goes way beyond what is comfortable for them is more important than what they find in short clips on the internet.

[bodie]

I think it is a minefield area!

and shit will happen..