Pornography and the Media: A duet to human decay
"The thought is father to the deed."
Totoy (not his real name) was left alone at his house, watching a soon-to-be-shown controversial bold flick's trailer. Sometime later, this 10-year-old boy rapes his cousin after being sexually aroused by what he saw on TV.
Lisa's husband wasn't known for his sensitivity. After four years of marriage, she discovered he had a problem with masturbation and pornography. A couple of years later she discovered he was molesting their daughters which destroyed the very life of their home and marriage. By the time the husband was ready to straighten his life, they have drifted so far apart that the marriage can no longer be saved.
And who can forget Ted Bundy. The very man who sexually abused and murdered more than 2 dozen women and still felt no remorse for what he did until his last breath. He admitted being hooked on pornography since the late 50's, which excited him for a while, and then he started craving for something harder, making his sexual desires into reality.
These are just a few among the rampant cases of sexual promiscuity and crime that exist not only in our country but the whole world. We can no longer count the number of rape cases, most especially incest that has been happening around us, and mostly because of the stimulation of pornography made even more powerful by booze and drugs.
Everywhere we look, pornography abounds, may they be soft or hard, and the sad thing is, the media, whose effect on the human mind is very effective and strong, became the very main vehicle of this. Just this past year, so many bold movies have been released (and counting... this 1999) , whose main focus is on sex, sex and sex no matter what the producers say about their being artistic, of trying to educate people about sex and to promote other values in the process. Frankly, education can always take the form of anything so long as it doesn't stimulate the emergence of sexual fantasies. How can one be educated when the scenes being portrayed before them are so strong for the audience to even think sanely anymore?
Magazines also carry pictures of almost naked women (not to mention Playboy and Penthouse which carries more skin), which has demoted the female gender as an object. According to Jen Gonzales, a concerned student, "The true essence of sex between persons in love is being depleted." So, how can men relate to women more properly when they are depicted more as objects than people with feelings and value? Men do not escape being victims of sexual misconduct too. We have heard of men raping their fellow men for the fun of it.
The world population has revolutionized into free-thinking individuals, whose freedom of speech and choice is very important and must be respected. Such freedom is in fact very vital if a sense of responsibility is always remembered in every act. But, exactly, where does pornographic freedom or sexual revolution take us?
EXCUSES FOR PORNOGRAPHY
Humans have consciences, including the men and women behind media establishments. But with the economic difficulties being encountered by the country, every businessman has to do what it takes to garner profit, to maintain the status quo in financial success. Here, the profit motive comes in. Pornography is a very lucrative industry, thus some segments of the communications industry have succumbed to this temptation, thus exploiting human weakness, including that of the young and impressionable minds in order to make money.
Studies have shown that pornography is strongly linked to sexual violence. One study showed that men exposed to pornography came to think that rape was not important. Another study of sexual attack over a 23-year period, found that in 41% of cases, pornography was used before or during the attack. And in interviews with 36 convicted sex killers, 81% admitted that their biggest interest was in reading pornography.
"People who get rich with publicizing pornography doesn't care about moral values anymore since their material sell like hotcakes," comments Jeff Vergara, a web developer and Oliver Lee, a student.
Again, the idea of freedom of speech and choice comes as another excuse for the propagation of pornography. Some people argue that it is the beholder's decision whether he or she should be affected by what he or she sees, on whether this person should let the sexual portrayal run his or her life. Some moviemakers, publishers and some members of the media should not measure the rest of the population with their standards. "These people should conduct a silent study in areas where families live in houses like shoeboxes, sleeping together side by side, where most male members of the family rape their sisters or daughters after reading or watching an erotic product," says Jaims Novella, a journalist, who has given her opinion about the effect of pornography on people's minds. "Others may say that people are not stupid to make themselves affected by the erotic literature, but most often than not, it is just their defense mechanism," she adds.
"I believe there is a "sexual microchip" embedded in our brains that is just waiting to be triggered by outside stimuli," according to Francis Cinco, an accountant. "And like the proverbial last straw that broke the camel's back, this outside stimuli may take the form of pornographic shows and literatures. Of course, the degree of excitement would vary depending on how strong and resilient one's moral foundations are. Since morals and values are not permanent, considering they are acquired, it is then subject to breakdown." Indeed, pornographic materials lead to breakdown of morality. Francis adds, "however, notwithstanding that morality is a nurture thing, it is still there to balance one's state of mind no matter how sexually or violently challenged it may be. It is therefore suggested that these stimuli should be labeled with warnings not only for those who have weak hearts but also "not suitable for those who have a sick state of mind."
"Positive media is the ultimate factor that can influence man to have a positive attitude, and pornography in the media is a negative one which creates a vicious cycle," says Oscar Te, a businessman.Another cause for widespread pornography is the lack of carefully prepared laws or the ineffective enforcement of laws, which already exist to protect the common good, especially the morals of the young. But this is not a lost cause, if the whole nation would support the enforcement of anti-pornography laws.
First, it's best to understand that pornography and obscenity are illegal in our country and our law enforcement authorities should be made aware that the population wants these laws enforced. To insist that abusive or sexually violent pornography is confiscated, and the producers and distributors be prosecuted is one smart move. It is also best to alert officials to the sources of obscene materials coming to one's attention.
Our legislators' attention must also be called, for them to enact additional laws for telephone pornography, cyber-porn (internet computer pornography), cable television and movies. The enacting of laws to consider child pornography a crime, including its production, distribution and possession.
Groups worth to join in order to make this endeavor more effective are the Philippine Alliance Against Pornography, STOP (Stop Trafficking of Pilipinos Foundation), Concerned Women of the Philippines, and Religious Alliance Against Pornography. Even our small groups like PTA's, service clubs and neighborhood organizations can be movers in making sure pornography remains in check.
PROTECTING ONE'S FAMILY
The Philippine Alliance Against Pornography and other concerned agencies gave the following suggestions for the family to avoid exposure to pornography. First, is to set personal and family standards that focus on human dignity and wholesome living. "Parents must give their children support and have open family discussions about pornography and its dangers," Nabby Alhabshi, an economics student, shares her agreement.
The Philippine Alliance also suggests avoiding places where pornography is believed to exist, control and monitor television viewing in the family, including computer programs for children can access internet for cyber-porn. Also, select movies and other entertainment based on reliable review, read good books and parents should read them to their children. It's best to be aware of unsuitable music and lyrics and discuss their impact on young people and others.
The only way we could safeguard our safety is to be active in the promotion of positive values in the media and we, the rest of the population should make sure that this happens. Remember, pornography is addicting, the materials are escalating and it desensitizes people until such time pornography and its resulting crimes become acceptable. This is not the kind of legacy we would want to pass on to the next generation. (MKVillalon)