In a week when Mumsnet attacks the imagery of
soft-porn and misogyny evident in pop videos aired on TV music channels I
repeat a posting from April 2012 with no apologies.
The fact is I have commented, for many years, upon the imagery used by pop artists and their music video producers, and the apparent legitimate use of soft-porn and machismo, to sell their music.
Complaints to broadcasters have been largely ignored, and both OFCOM and the ASA have ignored the issues I have raised as being 'purely a matter of taste, and beyond their remit'!
Whilst many believe artists have no control over the content and style of their pop videos, and that it is the labels that force it upon them; those attending many of the artists concerts know differently.
A perfect example of pop artists themselves using soft-porn by choice can be seen when viewing the 'Wrecking Ball' music video from Miley Cyrus.
Her
blatant soft porn imagery is clearly aimed at teenage boys, with there
being no question of her not being totally aware of the fact she is
peddling sex to her young audience. Her and other artists attitude to
using blatant sexual imagery and aiming it at teens, is tantamount to
'grooming' at worst and enforcing the sexual objectification of teenage
girls and women at best!
So below, I repeat my blog from April 2012, simply because despite repeated government reports into the sexualisation of children; absolutely fuck all has been done to tackle one of the main sources of the problem - pop music videos!
Misogyny has come of age: it utilises the internet, pop culture, and all forms of media to condition this and future generations that the female of the species is merely the provider of sexual pleasures. In my view, both on-line porn and the soft porn of TV and pop culture are part of the continuation of sexism and reaffirmation of western society's belief that women are no more than the sum total of their bodies!
Yes, feminism has been at the forefront of major changes for women in the western world, but despite this: equality of opportunity, of respect; and of prospects in life, are still the void in most female lives.
Sexual use of women and girls reflected in pop culture, the media and in porn, is a major factor in the restriction of advancement of women in society as a result of the lack of self worth, negative body image, and lack of personal ambition and expectations in life that it spawns.
So is my view that of a twisted, bitter mixed up old git?
That's for you to judge, but the evidence is in my favour, I would argue.
The fact is I have commented, for many years, upon the imagery used by pop artists and their music video producers, and the apparent legitimate use of soft-porn and machismo, to sell their music.
Complaints to broadcasters have been largely ignored, and both OFCOM and the ASA have ignored the issues I have raised as being 'purely a matter of taste, and beyond their remit'!
Whilst many believe artists have no control over the content and style of their pop videos, and that it is the labels that force it upon them; those attending many of the artists concerts know differently.
A perfect example of pop artists themselves using soft-porn by choice can be seen when viewing the 'Wrecking Ball' music video from Miley Cyrus.
So below, I repeat my blog from April 2012, simply because despite repeated government reports into the sexualisation of children; absolutely fuck all has been done to tackle one of the main sources of the problem - pop music videos!
Misogyny has come of age: it utilises the internet, pop culture, and all forms of media to condition this and future generations that the female of the species is merely the provider of sexual pleasures. In my view, both on-line porn and the soft porn of TV and pop culture are part of the continuation of sexism and reaffirmation of western society's belief that women are no more than the sum total of their bodies!
Yes, feminism has been at the forefront of major changes for women in the western world, but despite this: equality of opportunity, of respect; and of prospects in life, are still the void in most female lives.
Sexual use of women and girls reflected in pop culture, the media and in porn, is a major factor in the restriction of advancement of women in society as a result of the lack of self worth, negative body image, and lack of personal ambition and expectations in life that it spawns.
So is my view that of a twisted, bitter mixed up old git?
That's for you to judge, but the evidence is in my favour, I would argue.
This week (17th April) in the House of Commons a new cross-party report instigated by Tory MP Claire Perry reveals
four out of five 16-year-olds regularly access porn websites and that
children are now becoming addicted to pornography they view on the
internet; the issue has seriously damaging ramifications for the
physical and mental health of our children.
Further,
the report suggests 12 per cent of young teenagers are involved in
sharing intimate images of themselves, which are often circulated around
the class when a relationship breaks up.
The
report entitled “Inquiry into Online Child Protection” was published
and is available for all concerned about the welfare of our children to
download from here:
"Our Inquiry found that many children are easily accessing internet pornography as well as other websites showing extreme violence or promoting self-harm and anorexia. This is hugely worrying. While parents should be responsible for their children's online safety, in practice people find it difficult to put content filters on the plethora of internet-enabled devices in their homes, plus families lack the right information and education on internet safety. It's time that Britain's Internet Service Providers, who make more than £3 billion a year from selling internet access services, took on more of the responsibility to keep children safe, and the Government needs to send a strong message that this is what we all expect".
Now for the angry bit and my view of how to deal with the problem.
In
the absence of laws and enforcement by ISPs that their customers must
opt-in to access pornographic websites, and in the case of soft-porn in
pop media; my view is very simple - parents, government and music
industry are all equally responsible.
But let's look at the issues separately.
First the issue of soft porn in pop media, on TV, in children's films, in music, and in magazines.
Why first, you may ask?
Well, in my view this is one of the most hideously subtle and conditioning ways of exploiting young people. By introducing soft porn into their culture they are being groomed into being more accepting of hard core porn in their teenage years. Images of girls and women in sexual poses and activities; by then will have become the norm.
It informs their view on life, society, and their personal values as they develope; and in my view already has had significant negative impacts on how children and young people perceive themselves and their peers; along with their self-worth and individual aspirations.
I am appalled at the sexual imagery being produced and aimed at young people by, in the main, adults who themselves understand fully just what they are doing.
But let's look at the issues separately.
First the issue of soft porn in pop media, on TV, in children's films, in music, and in magazines.
Why first, you may ask?
Well, in my view this is one of the most hideously subtle and conditioning ways of exploiting young people. By introducing soft porn into their culture they are being groomed into being more accepting of hard core porn in their teenage years. Images of girls and women in sexual poses and activities; by then will have become the norm.
It informs their view on life, society, and their personal values as they develope; and in my view already has had significant negative impacts on how children and young people perceive themselves and their peers; along with their self-worth and individual aspirations.
I am appalled at the sexual imagery being produced and aimed at young people by, in the main, adults who themselves understand fully just what they are doing.
But
for any female artists, let alone male artist to be happy that their
music, which they know is aimed at the 10 to 23 age group in particular,
to be full of, often crude sexualised lyrics and their accompanying
video being nothing short of soft porn; is anathema.
Any self respecting pop artist does not allow this sexploitation of children, knowing full well as they do that popular music and culture has always been a major influence on children and teenagers lives at so many different levels. The music industry needs to clean up its act, and if it is not able to do so; it needs regulating.
Any self respecting pop artist does not allow this sexploitation of children, knowing full well as they do that popular music and culture has always been a major influence on children and teenagers lives at so many different levels. The music industry needs to clean up its act, and if it is not able to do so; it needs regulating.
To
my mind people producing these soft porn videos are an effing disgrace
and quite sick to be frank, knowing the intended age target. It's the
same as those sickos designing and selling baby doll nighties, bikinis,
padded bras and thongs for six year old girls!
Further
such an industry in purveying sexism and soft porn in the form of pop
videos and music; are in one sense 'grooming' kids for the more harder
stuff available in cyberspace. Kids are naturally curious and so will
seek out new things one step ahead of their latest video and music
craze.
With
regard to the use of porn. It is absolutely horrific and frightening to
know that the majority of teenage boys (10 to 16) have access to porn
and watch it regularly. Furthermore, the coercion of young girls by boys
using webcams, phone cameras etc to bare-all, or act in provocative
sexual ways is rife in the playground.
Abuse
of young women, verbally, physically and mentally has escalated with
the uncontrolled propagation of new tech in the hands of minors. Most
teenage boys are growing up with an appalling misogynistic view of
women, their bodies, and of relationships.
Both
male and female kids are under terrible pressure and being fed images
that are both gross exaggerations, sexually violent, and creating an
appalling mental health issue for both genders when it comes to forming
relationships.
We
know have an underclass in this country, and one populated by feral
kids. Not in the sense of rioters, muggers and criminals; but in the
sense of kids living completely uncontrolled and unknown lives in
cyberspace; with little if any knowledge of their parents.
Parents
in this country have in my view, abdicated responsibilities for their
children’s physical and mental welfare to the vagarities of the
internet, social networking sites; and making their kids a hostage to
the fortunes of the criminal and sick minds which populate cyberspace.
Furthermore
it is now creeping from cyberspace into the lives and homes of the
nation's kids - all without the knowledge of their parents.
Would
you allow your kids aged 10 to 16 to go into a pub full of strange men
and women, dress provocatively and well beyond their years, engage in
adult talk and behaviour? No? Well you may as well be doing so. Allowing
kids access to the internet and social media without any control or
guidance is an appalling dereliction of duty of care by parents, and it
should be made a reason for charging parents with child endangerment.
This
idea that, 'you can’t stop your kids cos of peer pressure' is a load of
sh**e! Who created the peer pressure in the first place? Adults buying
little Johnny and Mary the latest stuff just to keep up with the Jones's
kids; that's who!
Given
that most parents have no clue about mobile phones and computers, why
the F*** are they allowing their children uncontrolled access in the
privacy of their bedrooms?
Out of sight out of mind, that's what!
Controlling
the websites accessed by your children is easy, same goes for social
media. Parents just need to learn and read the advice that comes with
the bloody things, but they couldn’t be bothered.
If
parents knew what their kids see, do and are led into by cyberspace,
they would be shocked. But parents prefer ignorance, that way they can
avoid responsibility. Why else do the numerous TV programmes about child
safety in cyberspace, and bullying via mobile phones and social
networks site; still go in the main unheeded?
The
usual bleating excuse that parents lead such busy lives is absolute
bullshit! If your life is too busy for you to look after your kids and
control what they are being subjected to and not being the best
influence in their kids lives; you have no right to have kids! Simples!
Final
point, labelling any certificate of age on pop videos is a complete and
utter waste of time, and Cameron knows it. Kids record, download and
borrow from mates videos irrespective of content. I don’t know one child
under 18 who has not seen an 18 rated movie, with even kids as young as
ten having seen some pretty horrific sexist and gruesome slasher
movies.
The
Government has had several reports into the sexualisation of children,
but done F*** ALL about the situation. Why? Because there's big money in
all the industries concerned. That, plus the fact that the British have
no clue in dealing with issues and influences in 'the round' no matter
the subject.
The
only thing that will change this situation is PARENTS taking
responsibility and wising up to the realities of their children’s lives,
cultures and the influences that are forging their futures. Then doing
SOMETHING about it!
Parenting
is about loving, protecting, teaching and guiding kids into the adult
world; but too few British parents seem to my mind to be doing all of
these things anymore!
There is always a F***ing excuse!
