MTV "Skins" - True to Life or Fantasy?
NY Times Article
What are they thinking? But 3.3 million views tuned in with a viewing audience between the ages of 12 to 34 according to this article and, "Episodes of “Skins” are rated TV-MA, indicating that the content may be unsuitable for viewers younger than 17. MTV states in news releases that it is “specifically designed to be viewed by adults.” However, many of MTV’s viewers are in middle and high school. According to the Nielsen Company, the first episode drew 1.2 million people younger than 18."
Okay, specifically designed to be viewed by adults says that our marketing media is sending the message that adults are entertained by and okay with viewing minors engaging in sexually explicit activities? According to the law, one could be convicted of a sexual offense for viewing minors in this fashion and labeled a sex offender. The other side of this issue, as depicted in this program, is that minors do behave with one another in situations portrayed on this show. When an 18 or 19 year old interacts with another minor under the age of 17, statutory rape comes into play, consensual or not. And in an era where we are convicting 13 year olds as sex offenders, we have to wonder why we are entertained when it happens on TV but when the real life scenario plays out in their community, we say how horrible and where does this behavior come from? The reality is that childhood curiosity is a fact of life. Sexual awareness today is much more common place at much younger ages, unlike it was 20+ years ago. And the law sees this subject only in black and white, and with over three-quarter of a million people labeled as sex offenders in this country, its proof positive evidence to its point of view. Parents are usually very aware this stuff goes on in the lives of minor teen children, but when confronted with it or a situation resulting from it, anger or denial can result in criminal allegations.
I know, nobody likes to discuss this stuff, but the fact remains that in today's sex driven society, we can watch it on TV in programs and advertising; but don't send an inappropriate text, moon someone from a passing car or let a minor child see your emails that your buddy's sent you; because if we continue to let government bend and twist the legal definitions of sexual offenses and weaken the burden of proof whereas the word of one against another is enough convicting evidence, then you too could be labeled a sex offender!
The producers of this show should warn their viewers: "The following scenes are performed by actors. Please do not try these scenarios yourself as they may result is serious legal and life altering allegations!"
Personally, I think they should take it off the air and quit exploiting the subject for profits! It's very dangerous ground to be treading upon.
What are they thinking? But 3.3 million views tuned in with a viewing audience between the ages of 12 to 34 according to this article and, "Episodes of “Skins” are rated TV-MA, indicating that the content may be unsuitable for viewers younger than 17. MTV states in news releases that it is “specifically designed to be viewed by adults.” However, many of MTV’s viewers are in middle and high school. According to the Nielsen Company, the first episode drew 1.2 million people younger than 18."
Okay, specifically designed to be viewed by adults says that our marketing media is sending the message that adults are entertained by and okay with viewing minors engaging in sexually explicit activities? According to the law, one could be convicted of a sexual offense for viewing minors in this fashion and labeled a sex offender. The other side of this issue, as depicted in this program, is that minors do behave with one another in situations portrayed on this show. When an 18 or 19 year old interacts with another minor under the age of 17, statutory rape comes into play, consensual or not. And in an era where we are convicting 13 year olds as sex offenders, we have to wonder why we are entertained when it happens on TV but when the real life scenario plays out in their community, we say how horrible and where does this behavior come from? The reality is that childhood curiosity is a fact of life. Sexual awareness today is much more common place at much younger ages, unlike it was 20+ years ago. And the law sees this subject only in black and white, and with over three-quarter of a million people labeled as sex offenders in this country, its proof positive evidence to its point of view. Parents are usually very aware this stuff goes on in the lives of minor teen children, but when confronted with it or a situation resulting from it, anger or denial can result in criminal allegations.
I know, nobody likes to discuss this stuff, but the fact remains that in today's sex driven society, we can watch it on TV in programs and advertising; but don't send an inappropriate text, moon someone from a passing car or let a minor child see your emails that your buddy's sent you; because if we continue to let government bend and twist the legal definitions of sexual offenses and weaken the burden of proof whereas the word of one against another is enough convicting evidence, then you too could be labeled a sex offender!
The producers of this show should warn their viewers: "The following scenes are performed by actors. Please do not try these scenarios yourself as they may result is serious legal and life altering allegations!"
Personally, I think they should take it off the air and quit exploiting the subject for profits! It's very dangerous ground to be treading upon.
