Of course, we have laws on the books about obscenity and pornography, but, amazingly, obscenity is not taken seriously even by those legally charged with prosecuting offenders. So, while the Department of Justice is not looking, our homes are being invaded by offensive language, suggestive advertisements, blatantly obscene so-called “entertainment” and movie scenes that make “dirty dancing” seem tame.
Many people defend anyone’s right to produce, distribute and consume obscene materials. They call us prudes when we object to the pornification of our culture. Evidently, they think it’s cute when little children are sexualized. They are blasé at obscenity on television and in movies. They shrug their shoulders at people who have a foul mouth or tell offensive jokes and use crude, vulgar language.
They just don’t understand the ramifications of cultural disintegration. Yet, those who know the facts understand that small seedlings of the obscene can grow into giant sequoias of criminal sex networks.
Once the predator sees someone as a mere object –– instead of a person worthy of respect and dignity –– that person can be used, and abused, for the personal satisfaction of the predator; then, it is a very easy step to becoming a pimp and using that person as a commercial sexual commodity.
Some people begin their downward spiral into pornography addiction by perusing Playboy or Hustler or some free online adult porn sites. Having entered this gateway, some consumers crave the titillation of more graphic, perverted images to satisfy their desire for stimulation. Some of them need more violent, more sadistic images and, ultimately, they seek them out.
A research study of convicted sex offenders by psychologists at the Federal Bureau of Prisons became available last year; it will certainly disabuse those remaining people who think that obscenity and pornography are harmless indulgences. The study found that more than 85 percent of prisoners convicted of possessing child pornography admitted to abusing at least one child.