Teenage Nudity In Movies--Okey Dokey, Or Not?

[Minnesota]

I was watching the movie American Beauty the other night and got to wondering about the scene where the character played by Thora Birch bears her breasts in front of her bedroom window. Because she was playing a girl somewhere in her mid teens, and because she actually looked about that age, I was curious as to just how old she really was when the scene was filmed. Checking on the web, I found that she was 16 years old. I further found out that both her parents and a representative from some child welfare agency were there overseeing the shoot, and that all parties had signed off on it. If you have never seen the movie, (why not?) it was done very tastefully, and was integral to the character--a "necessary step in the development of Jane (the character)."


My questions:

What do you think about pre-adult nudity in movies?

Are there times when it is acceptable?

If not, why not?

[LGM]

I better wait till someone with absolute, perfect, objective morality weighs in first...

LGM
...then I'll jump on the bandwagon...

[Seasanctuary]

What do you think about pre-adult nudity in movies?
Are there times when it is acceptable?
If not, why not?

I'm in favor -- in USA produced film -- of requiring actors to be 18 before being allowed to appear nude or in anything very sexual.

It's a societal judgement call, but in our society, we've largely demarcated pre-18 as a time when we do not allow people full adult freedoms. It's a protection that at least delivers people to their 18th year without doing something terribly embarassing.

After that, we consider the person competent to make that decision and live with the consequences.

I have no problem with nudity or sexuality that's merely portrayed as involving pre-18 year olds but the actors involved are of age themselves.

[Jezz]

Moderated By: Jezz

Interesting topic, but not one that is directly related to theist-atheist dialogue. I'm moving this to Political Science. If anyone disagrees with my decision, please PM me.

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[Amazing Rando]

That's a good question, Minn. I thought "American Beauty" was an absolutely amazing film for quite a few reasons.

Anyway- per your question, as long as the film gets an R rating, and all parties with a vested interest consent, and an independant observer has oversight over the whole thing to avoid the sexual exploitation of the minor in question, I think it's acceptable.

[Stephen]

I'd say it depends upon the situation the character is in. I don't know if I'd say nudity in a non-sexual situation is inherently wrong. If it's tastefully done, and not sexual, pornographic, or anything of the like, I don't really see a problem with it.

If the minor in question has full parent and self consent, of course.

[BeHereNow]

That's a good question, Minn. I thought "American Beauty" was an absolutely amazing film for quite a few reasons.

Anyway- per your question, as long as the film gets an R rating, and all parties with a vested interest consent, and an independant observer has oversight over the whole thing to avoid the sexual exploitation of the minor in question, I think it's acceptable.

I agree, for what it's worth.

[Minnesota]

Gotta say that I'm surprised at the open and tolerant attitudes expressed here, and await LakeGeorgeMan's opinion.

[FormerFundy]

Interesting thread. At what age would you draw you the line? 15, 14 , 13, 12, 11, 10, etc. or is it okay at any age?

[Trout]

Gotta say that I'm surprised at the open and tolerant attitudes expressed here, and await LakeGeorgeMan's opinion.

That's strange Minnesota, are you saying that anyone who would think that teenage nudity isn't acceptable would be closed and intolerant?

[Amazing Rando]

Gotta say that I'm surprised at the open and tolerant attitudes expressed here, and await LakeGeorgeMan's opinion.

Hehe. You're saying that in a way that makes it sound like you don't expect an open and tolerant attitude from LGM.

I don't think you meant to imply that though.

[Xavier]

Interesting thread. At what age would you draw you the line? 15, 14 , 13, 12, 11, 10, etc. or is it okay at any age?

I really think it would deal with the child in question, but I think much lower than 12 or 13 tend to bring about other considerations (such as who such things would appeal to and whether or not the child could really consent).

Yours,
Xavier

[Jimmy Higgins]

I really think it would deal with the child in question, but I think much lower than 12 or 13 tend to bring about other considerations (such as who such things would appeal to and whether or not the child could really consent).

Yours,
Xavier

Funny really, seeing baby bottoms are on tv often, though always just commercials. So it would seem there would a zone of which would be inappropriate. At what age is a child too old to be naked, and then at what age is the child too young? I call that a paradox.

[Xavier]

I call that a paradox.

No one said that ethics were easy.....

[Jimmy Higgins]

No one said that ethics were easy.....

I don't know. Socrates seems to think so.